News & Announcements
What’s New in 2025?
2025 Medical and Prescription Drug Plan Changes
Anchor Choice Plan with HSA Deductible Increase
Applies to All Employees
If you are enrolled in the Anchor Choice Plan with Health Savings Account (HSA), there's an important change you need to know about. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) updated the rules for high-deductible health plans in 2025.
The 2025 deductibles are:
- $1,650 for employee-only coverage
- $3,300 for family coverage
However, the State has you covered! To keep Anchor Choice a great value, the State is increased the amount of its annual HSA contribution1 to match the new deductibles. That means your full annual deductible, whether you're an individual or a family, will still be covered.
Applies to All Employees Except as Noted Below
Effective January 1, 2025, there are several benefit changes and enhancements to the Anchor, Anchor Plus, and Anchor Choice medical plans administered by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Rhode Island (BCBSRI) and the prescription drug coverage administered by CVS Caremark.
No PCP Coordination of Care Required
You no longer need to receive a referral from your primary care physician (PCP) to pay less for a specialist visit. Beginning January 1, you will pay the same for a specialist visit with or without a referral. Under the Anchor and Anchor Plus plans, there is a $25 copay for all in-network specialist visits. If you are enrolled in Anchor Choice, you pay 10% for an in-network visit.
Introducing Hinge Health
If you are enrolled in the Anchor, Anchor Plus, or Anchor Choice medical plans, you are now covered for Blue Cross Blue Shield of Rhode Island’s virtual musculoskeletal (MSK) benefit through a partnership with Hinge Health. This comprehensive digital MSK care program combines personalized exercise therapy, wearable technology, health coaching, and education to help reduce chronic pain and improve joint and muscle health. You don’t need a referral to use it, and there is no cost to you for this coverage.
Greater Wellness Incentives (Anchor Plan)
If you are enrolled in the Anchor medical plan, your annual maximum incentives under the Rewards for Wellness program are increasing from $500 to $700.2
PrudentRx for Specialty Drugs (through CVS Caremark)
This new benefit is designed to reduce your out-of-pocket cost for certain specialty drugs. If you or a dependent takes a specialty drug on the PrudentRx program list, you would receive the drug from an in-network pharmacy with no out-of-pocket cost.3 If you choose not to participate in PrudentRx, your specialty fills will be subject to 30% coinsurance.
Whose Benefits ARE NOT Changing?
If you are a member of one of the following groups, your medical/prescription plan benefits and wellness incentives are not changing for 2025.
- RIBCO (Correctional Officers; Nurses; Civilians)
- RITA and non-union State Police
- Non-Classified union and non-union education and college employees
With the exception of increased deductibles and State HSA contributions under the Anchor Choice plan, your medical and prescription drug benefits remain the same as they were in 2024.4
1. Contributions are made biannually with half deposited in January and the other half deposited in July. The State’s HSA contributions are NOT pro-rated for employees who enroll after January 1 and July 1.
2. Up to $500 in incentives if enrolled in the Anchor Plus or Anchor Choice plans. See Rewards for Wellness 2025-2026 for more information.
3. If you are enrolled in the Anchor Choice plan with HSA, you must fully satisfy your deductible before you are eligible to obtain your specialty drug at no out-of-pocket cost, unless you have been prescribed a medication that is qualified as “preventive care” by the IRS. You may still choose to use available manufacturer copay assistance to help cover your out-of-pocket cost before you have met your deductible, but you will not be eligible for $0 out-of-pocket cost under the program until your deductible has been satisfied.
4. Designating a PCP is required for these groups: RIBCO (Correctional Officers; Nurses; Civilians): RITA and non-union State Police; Non-Classified union and non-union education and college employees. Follow these Step-by-Step Instructions to find your preferred PCP(s) and their 10-digit NPI(s). Write down the number(s) so that you will be ready to enter them when you make your elections in Workterra. You may also choose to have your PCP(s) chosen for you by checking the “Auto Allocate” box on the PCP pop-up page in Workterra. For assistance with finding your PCP and their 10-digit NPI contact the BCBSRI Care Center at 401-429-2104 or 866-987-3705 Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–8:00 p.m. and Saturday, 8:00 a.m.–noon.
There are no coverage changes to the dental or vision plans.
Other items of note regarding your 2025 benefits
Will I get new medical and pharmacy ID cards for this year?
After your enrollment is complete, you will receive a new ID card from BCBSRI for 2025. Your new ID card will not list a PCP and will show the new $25 copay for a specialist visit without a referral. Your Anchor Choice ID card will also reflect your updated annual deductible. You will also be receiving a new CVS Caremark ID card. Please note that your ID number will have the prefix of "R2I". Please present your new card(s) to providers when utilizing services in 2025.
If you are a RIBCO (correctional officers; nurses; civilians); RITA and non-union State police; or non-classified union and non-union education and college employee, you will receive a new ID card for 2025 ONLY if you changed coverage for 2025, made a PCP election or are enrolled in the Anchor Choice medical plan. ID number for these groups will have the prefix "RIS".
If you did not receive new cards, please contact the vendor.
Medical coverage BCBSRI
NEW Member Portal – Blue Care Connect (replaces MyBCBSRI) See FAQs
How do I register with BlueCare Connect?
Go to bluecareconnectRI.com (the member portal) or download the BlueCare Connect RI app. (Be sure you see “RI” in the app’s name.)
When you are signing in for the first time:
Use your existing myBCBSRI username and password. We’ve transferred your myBCBSRI username for you. All you’ll need to do is verify your account and create a new password.
If you don’t have a myBCBSRI.com account, click “Register” to get started.
The registration process is the same whether you’re online or on the app.
Where can I find my digital member ID card?
On the BlueCare Connect homepage, you’ll see “Insurance Cards” listed under “Your Health Plan.”
If you need help with registration or need to confirm your 2025 ID number, contact the BCBSRI State of Rhode Island Employee CARE Center at (401) 429-2104 or 1-866-987-3705. CARE Center hours are Monday–Friday, 8am–8pm and Saturday, 8am–12pm
Pharmacy coverage – CVS Caremark
You can print extra cards by logging into your account at caremark.com, select Plan & Benefits at the top of the screen, then select Print Member ID Card. You can also order additional cards by calling CVS Caremark customer service at 800-307-5432.
Review the 2025 Employee Benefit Plans FAQs
Check Out the Virtual Benefits Fair
The virtual benefits fair—your one-stop website for benefits information—has a fresh look and updated resources to guide your benefit choices. Find presentations, videos, and downloadable PDFs from the State’s benefit vendors, and so much more!
This year, we especially recommend reviewing the videos from BCBSRI about the medical plan enhancements and CVS Caremark to learn more about the new Prudent Rx specialty drug benefit. The OEB website has additional information on medical and pharmacy coverage.
2025 Medical/Rx Plan Comparison
Unions that ratified and non-union classified and unclassified
2025 Health Plan Rates
Working Rates (100% full plan costs from which 15%, 20% and 25% co-shares are determined)
Unions that ratified and non-union classified and unclassified
Co-Share Rates
For unions that ratified new CBAs and non-union classified and unclassified (effective January 1, 2025)
- 2025 Co-Shares - Classified & Unclassified 26 Pay Period Employees
- 2025 Co-Shares - Classified & Unclassified 20 Pay Period Employees
For RIBCO (Correctional Officers; Nurses; Civilians) and Non-Classified Union and Non-Union Education
- 2025 Co-Shares - Classified & Unclassified 26 Pay Period Employees
- 2025 Co-Shares - Classified & Unclassified 20 Pay Period Employees
For RITA and State Police Command Staff that did not ratify new CBAs
Non-classified union & non-union employees working in higher education should refer to their college/university website (URI, RIC, CCRI) for their co-share tables.
2025 COBRA Premiums
Unions that ratified and non-union classified and unclassified
Pre-65 Retiree Premiums
2025 Wellness Programs
Please review the 2025-2026 State of Rhode Island Employee Wellness Program brochure for information on the State’s wellness programs
The Rewards for Wellness 2025–2026 program runs from January 1, 2025, through December 31, 2025, and credit incentives will be delivered to employee paychecks in the first half of 2026. Visit the Rewards for Wellness 2025-2026 page for additional details and guidance.
The Preventive Exam 2025-2026 program runs from January 1, 2025 through December 31, 2025, and credit incentives will be delivered to employee paychecks in the second half of 2026. Visit the Preventive Exam 2025-2026 page for additional details and guidance.
Pick Your Person!
The choice is yours. The benefits are theirs. How your benefits are distributed after your death is entirely up to you, but you have to make your elections. This fall, please review and confirm your current beneficiary designations to be sure your choices are still accurate and up to date. To find out more about reviewing and designating your beneficiaries, visit the Naming Your Beneficiaries page of the virtual benefits fair. Please note that the Office of Employee Benefits does not keep beneficiary information on file for employees; each separate plan maintains its own information.