We are here to help.
Global Outreach International remains committed to caring well for our missionaries and staff by ensuring access to dependable, high-quality healthcare coverage. As part of that ongoing commitment, we are pleased to announce that, effective January 1, 2026, GOI will transition to the Blue Cross Blue Shield of Mississippi (BCBS-MS) PPO Plan for all U.S.-based missionaries and home office employees. This change reflects our ongoing commitment to ensuring consistent, high-quality coverage for our missionaries and our staff. We are here to help you through this change. We want to ensure that you have all the necessary information and support available to you.
When do I enroll in the new insurance plan?
- Enrollment Period: November 10 – December 5, 2025
- Coverage Effective Date: January 1, 2026
- Action Required: All eligible U.S.-based missionaries and staff must complete enrollment between November 10 and December 5, 2025 to ensure uninterrupted coverage.
Where is the 2026 Blue Cross Blue Shield Enrollment Form?
Below you can access the 2026 BCBS MS enrollment form.
2026 BCBS MS Enrollment Form
If you have questions not addressed in the materials below, please email Marshall at [email protected]
2026 BCBS MS Enrollment Form
If you have questions not addressed in the materials below, please email Marshall at [email protected]
Why is this change happening?
Our current Highmark BCBS plan is projected to have a 40% premium increase for 2026. Such an increase would be financially unsustainable. After reviewing several options, GOI has selected the BCBS of Mississippi PPO Plan, which offers:
- A modest 10% premium increase—a significant savings compared to Highmark’s 40% projection
- A lower annual deductible -- your annual deductible is lower with BCBS of Mississippi
- New Benefit: Pediatric vision and dental coverage up to age 17
- Strong national provider network access
- Enhanced plan coverage and member support tools
What are the 2026 monthly premiums?
|
Employee Only:
Employee + Spouse: Employee + Children: Family: |
$628
$1,318 $1,192 $1,882 |
What is the difference in Highmark BCBS and BCBS MS?
Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield through Guidestone is a different insurance company than Blue Cross Blue Shield of Mississippi. Each company shares the same network, however they administrate claims and offer different plan benefits. Because of their differences they are able to make different rate plans available to our organization.
What do I need to do to receive treatment outside of my state of residence?
Members can receive treatment using the BCBS national network.
Provider Directory available online at https://www.bcbsms.com/im-a-member/find-a-network-provider/
If you are receiving non-emergency treatment outside of your state of residence, you must get prior-authorization by contacting the customer service # on your Member ID card.
Provider Directory available online at https://www.bcbsms.com/im-a-member/find-a-network-provider/
If you are receiving non-emergency treatment outside of your state of residence, you must get prior-authorization by contacting the customer service # on your Member ID card.
Can I choose another insurance provider?
The short answer to this question is, “No.” The rest of this answer is nuanced. Being a part of a large organization means that sometimes a policy affects people in different ways. While some in the organization live in places where health care coverage is abundant and inexpensive, others live and work in places where it is not so. In order to ensure that everyone has access to quality insurance coverage, it is a requirement for GOI personnel to participate in it.
There are a couple of important things to understand in making this decision:
There are a couple of important things to understand in making this decision:
- In order to satisfy the US government’s requirements to offer an insurance plan for all employees, we are legally required to provide insurance coverage for our personnel.
- In order to offer that coverage, the insurance companies, themselves, require a minimum participation from the head count of our organization.
- In order to meet the minimum, we require this participation from all of our full-time personnel. We can make this requirement because the premiums are considered untaxed ministry expenses and are, therefore, considered an employer-paid benefit.
When will I receive Member ID cards and plan documents?
All ID cards and policy information will be available electronically. After implementation, each employee will receive an email at the address provided with instructions for creating a MyBlue account.
Through your MyBlue account, you can:
Through your MyBlue account, you can:
- Access and download your digital ID cards
- Review plan details and policy information
- View and print Explanation of Benefits (EOBs) for your claims
What are the key coverages of this plan?
Summary Plan Description (SPD) will be available online at MyBlue and in the MyBlue App beginning January 1, 2026
**Members must seek prior-authorization for non-emergency treatment outside of the member's documented state of residence.
**Members must seek prior-authorization for non-emergency treatment outside of the member's documented state of residence.
|
Medical Deductible
Prescription Deductible Out of Pocket Maximum Co-Insurance Physician Co-pay Specialist Co-pay Pharmacy Co-pay |
$1250/ $2500
$100 $5500/$11000 80%/20% $25 $40 $100 Deductible & then tiered prescription Co-pays: $10/$25/$50/$100 |
Where can I find network and provider information?
Members will be have access to the national Blue Cross Blue Shield PPO Network.
Provider Directory available online at https://www.bcbsms.com/im-a-member/find-a-network-provider/
**Members must seek prior-authorization for non-emergency treatment outside of the member's documented state of residence.
Provider Directory available online at https://www.bcbsms.com/im-a-member/find-a-network-provider/
**Members must seek prior-authorization for non-emergency treatment outside of the member's documented state of residence.
What pharmacy can I use?
GOI's Pharmacy Benefit manager will change from Express Scripts to Blue Cross Blue Shield.
You may find a in network pharmacy at https://www.bcbsms.com/im-a-member/find-a-network-provider/
You may find a in network pharmacy at https://www.bcbsms.com/im-a-member/find-a-network-provider/
How does this impact previous step-therapy for my medications?
Members who are prescribed certain medications may be required to undergo step-therapy. This requirement may apply even if the member has completed step therapy for the same or a similar medication in the past. Each prescription request will be reviewed on an individual basis. A member’s historical clinical data may be submitted for consideration; however, submission of prior information does not guarantee approval or exemption from step therapy requirements.
International Missionaries in the United States
International Missionaries who will be in the United States for five months or longer will be required by IMG to transfer from their international insurance plan to the BCBS MS domestic insurance plan.
The above materials are provided for informational purposes only.
This information does not supersede any official Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Mississippi plan documents and does
not constitute a contract, guarantee, or promise of coverage.
In all cases, the terms and conditions outlined in the official plan documents will govern.
This information does not supersede any official Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Mississippi plan documents and does
not constitute a contract, guarantee, or promise of coverage.
In all cases, the terms and conditions outlined in the official plan documents will govern.