Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Nebraska elects Board of Directors; and announces one retirement

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Nebraska (BCBSNE) has announced the election of Leslie R. Andersen and John C. Mitchell II, MD, and the re-election of three members to its Board of Directors for three-year terms.

 

Andersen is president and chief operating officer for the Bank of Bennington in Bennington, Nebraska.  She is past chair of the Nebraska Bankers Association and past board member of the American Bankers Association.  Andersen currently serves as the vice chairman of the Greater Omaha Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors.  She received her bachelor’s degree in finance from the University of Nebraska at Lincoln and her MBA from Golden Gate University in San Francisco. Andersen and her husband David have three children.

 

Dr. Mitchell is certified by the American Board of Medicine in Internal Medicine and Gastroenterology and practices at Midwest Gastrointestinal Associates, PC in Omaha.  Mitchell serves on the boards of the Nebraska Health Network, Methodist Hospital Foundation and the University of Nebraska Alumni Association. He received his medical degree from the University Nebraska Medical Center. Dr. Mitchell and his wife Kathleen, also a physician, have two children.

 

Marvin B. Dvorak, DDS, chair emeritus, is retiring after 18 years of service on the BCBSNE board.  Dvorak served as board chair from 2011 to 2015.

 

“On behalf of the BCBSNE board of directors and staff, I want to thank Marv for his leadership and service to Blue Cross and its members,” George G. Beattie, BCBSNE board chair said. “We also welcome Dr. Mitchell and Ms. Andersen.  The experience they bring will be of great value to the board.”

 

Andersen and Mitchell join 12 others on BCBSNE’s Board of Directors, three of whom were re-elected this year:  George G. Beattie, Lincoln; Richard R. Bell, Omaha; and Robert E. Synowicki, Jr., Omaha.

 

Other board members include: Steven S. Martin, Omaha; Karen B. Aman, Blair; Lyndee J. Black, Lincoln; Allen D. Dvorak, Omaha; Dan E. Ernst, Lincoln; Keith R. Olsen, Grant; Anthony F. Raimondo Jr., Columbus; Jeffery L. Schumacher, Lincoln; and Todd S. Sorensen, M.D., Scottsbluff.  

HEALTH INSURANCE TERMS


COINSURANCE

The percentage of the bill you pay after your deductible has been met.

COPAY

A fixed amount you pay when you get a covered health service.

Tiered benefit plan

A health care plan featuring multiple levels of benefits based on the network status of a particular provider. 

DEDUCTIBLE

The annual amount you pay for covered health services before your insurance begins to pay.

emergency care services

Any covered services received in a hospital emergency room setting.

SUBSTANCE ABUSE DISORDER SERVICES

Includes behavioral health treatment, counseling, and psychotherapy


in-network provider

A provider contracted by your insurance company to accept an agreed upon payment for covered services. 

OUT-OF-network provider

A term for providers that aren’t contracting with your insurance company. (Your out-of-pocket costs will tend to be more expensive if you go to an out-of-network provider.)

out-of-pocket

Your expenses for medical care that aren’t reimbursed by insurance, including deductibles, coinsurance and co-payments.

penalty

If you can afford health insurance, but choose not to buy it, you must have a health coverage exemption or pay a tax penalty on your federal income tax return.

premium

The amount you pay to your health insurance company each month. 


Preventive services

Health care services that focus on the prevention of disease and health maintenance.

rehab SERVICES

Services and devices to help you recover if you are injured or have surgery. This includes physical, occupational and speech therapy.

special enrollment period

The time after the Open Enrollment Period when you can still purchase health insurance only if you have a qualifying life event (losing other health coverage, having a baby, getting married, moving).

specialist

A physician who has a majority of his or her practice in fields other than internal or general medicine, obstetrics/gynecology, pediatrics or family practice.