FAQ

Boeing Preferred Partnership Option

1. What is Boeing’s Preferred Partnership option?
   First introduced in Charleston in 2016, Preferred Partnership is a new version of both of Boeing’s medical plans – the Advantage+ health plan and the Traditional Medical Plan – for which the Roper St. Francis Health Alliance is the exclusive network. This new arrangement is aimed at providing teammates with more personal support, more coordinated care and an enhanced level of service – all at a more affordable cost.


2. How does the Preferred Partnership option work?
   The Preferred Partnership version of each of Boeing’s plans has a broad network provided by Roper St. Francis Health Alliance – including primary care physicians, specialists, urgent care /walk-in facilities and hospitals located throughout the tri-county area. Generally, to receive in-network benefits, you and your family need to use Roper St. Francis Health Alliance providers and facilities.

   Emergency care is covered at the in-network level, whether you’re in Charleston or traveling outside the Charleston area, even if the provider is not in the Roper St. Francis Health Alliance.

   For pediatric specialist care that can’t be provided through the Roper St. Francis Health Alliance, we have partnered with MUSC Children’s Hospital to provide care at the in-network level when referred by a Roper St. Francis Health Alliance physician.

   In rare situations where highly specialized services are not available within the Roper St. Francis Health Alliance – e.g. transplants – a process is in place to ensure that services are available from an appropriate non-network provider, and paid at the in-network rate.

   If you receive non-emergency medical services from providers not in Roper St. Francis Health Alliance when those services are available from our providers, those services would be covered at the non-network level in the Traditional Medical Plan and the Advantage+ health plan.



3. What are the advantages of choosing the Preferred Partnership option?
   • Lower paycheck contributions for the Traditional Medical Plan
   • Increased company contributions to the Health Savings Account for eligible teammates participating in the Advantage+ health plan.
   • No cost for seeing network PCPs (Advantage+ health plan participants must first satisfy the annual deductible).
   • No cost for generic drugs (Advantage+ health plan participants must first satisfy the annual deductible when applicable).
   • Quicker access to network primary care providers (PCPs) and specialists, and more after-hours care availability.
   • More personalized and coordinated care, especially for individuals with complex medical situations such as diabetes or a heart condition.
   • Greater use of electronic messaging with providers, and expanded opportunity to use electronic medical records.


4. Is the Preferred Partnership option through Roper St. Francis Health Alliance available to all Boeing teammates?
   The Preferred Partnership options are available to all Boeing nonunion teammates in the Charleston area.


5. Which providers are in the Roper St. Francis Health Alliance network?
   The Roper St. Francis Health Alliance has hundreds of affiliated physicians, including specialists offering the full continuum of medical specialties. MUSC Children’s Hospital and its pediatric specialists are part of the Preferred Partnership when referred by a Roper St. Francis Health Alliance physician.
   
   

   To search for a provider, visit our Providers page.


6. Why should I choose the Roper St. Francis Health Alliance?
   Through the Roper St. Francis Health Alliance, you’ll receive highly personalized, convenient service that’s more affordable, and you’ll have access to a broad network of physicians. Our network also offers the latest treatment options in the event you need a higher level of care.

Membership

1. How is the care I will receive through Boeing’s Preferred Partnership option with Roper St. Francis Health Alliance different than the care I’ve received in the past?
   You will still receive great healthcare, but will now have more personalized support and greater access to care. Some of the benefits include: 

   • Enhanced access for urgent primary care provider (PCP) visits and for urgent appointments with specialists
   • Customer service that you can reach via phone to guide you to the health resources you need
   • Easy online and mobile access for reviewing test results and emailing your care team
   • Proactive provider support for preventive care and chronic disease management
   • Shared decision-making tools to help you choose the right treatment options for your lifestyle goals
     
     


2. What services does the customer service center offer?
   Our customer service team is here to make your experience with the Roper St. Francis Health Alliance as smooth, easy and positive as possible. Your health and your time are important to us. We are here to answer your questions, including:
   

   • Finding a primary care physician
   • Appointment Scheduling
   • Confirming if a provider or location is in the network

   Our hours are Monday-Saturday, 7 a.m. - 9 p.m. and Sunday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Call us at (855) 567-7342 and choose option 2.
   
   


3. What should I expect if my doctor is in the Roper St. Francis Health Alliance?
   You should expect a care team that is focused on you and your unique healthcare needs. Our providers and care teams are committed to knowing their patients and helping you on your road to good health. You should expect to receive exceptional service matched with education and guidance to support you on your personal health journey.
   
   


4. Do I need to select a primary care physician?
   Experts agree on the importance of selecting a primary care provider (PCP) — someone who knows your medical history, ensures better coordination of care and works with you to manage your health. You can choose (or change) your PCP at any time during the year. If you don’t choose a PCP during annual enrollment, we may provide an interim PCP based on where you live.

   If you have a PCP that you would like to elect, or need help with researching and learning more about PCPs that fit your needs, please call our Customer Service Center at (855) 567-7342.



5. It looks like one of the doctors I would like to see isn’t accepting new patients. What can I do?
   Call our customer service center at (855) 567-7342 if you have any questions about physicians accepting new patients. The team can also call the physician’s office directly to inquire.
   
   


6. Do I need to get a referral from my primary care doctor to see a specialist?
   If you want to see a specialist who is in the Roper St. Francis Health Alliance, you do not need a referral from your primary care physician. For pediatric specialty care at MUSC, your primary care physician should be involved to make the referral. Given the breadth of the Roper St. Francis Health Alliance network, there should be very few other instances in which care is not available within the network, but should that occur, your Roper St. Francis Health Alliance physician will work with you to make sure that needed care is available from a non-network provider, and paid at the network level of benefit. 
   
   


7. What if I travel outside the Charleston area, will I be covered?
   Yes. Emergency care is covered at any hospital, and urgent care is covered outside of the tri-county area at any urgent care facility that’s part of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield network – all at the in-network benefit level. In the tri-county area, remember to use urgent care and Express Care facilities that are part of the Roper St. Francis Health Alliance network to get the in-network benefit.
   
   


8. Who will provide prescription drug coverage, vision coverage, and mental health and substance use disorder treatment in the Preferred Partnership plans?
   The following administrators will provide networks and customer service. Find additional providers and resources on our Preferred Partnership site for:

   • Prescription drug coverage: Prime Therapeutics
     
   • Vision coverage: Davis Vision
   • Mental health/substance use disorder providers: Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois (BCBSIL)
   • Employee Assistance Program: Beacon Health Options

    

Finding a Provider

1. I don’t currently have a relationship with a provider, how can I best select one?
   Visit our Providers page or call our Customer Service Center at (855) 567-7342 to learn more about the providers who are located near your home, work or anywhere else.


2. How can I find out if my doctor participates in the Preferred Partnership option through Roper St. Francis Health Alliance?
   Visit our Providers page or call our Customer Service Center at (855) 567-7342 to see if your provider is in the Roper St. Francis Health Alliance network.


3. Do you have pediatricians in the Preferred Partnership option through the Roper St. Francis Health Alliance?
   Yes, we have pediatricians in the Roper St. Francis Health Alliance network. We also offer care for all ages through family medicine physicians. Visit our Providers page, for a complete listing of pediatricians and pediatric specialists.


4. Do you have pediatric physical, occupational and speech therapy services in the Preferred Partnership option through Roper St. Francis Healthcare?
   Yes, for pediatric speech therapy Roper St. Francis Healthcare will supplement its network with providers that are part of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield network. As a result, covered services delivered by any BCBS participating speech therapist will be covered at the in-network benefit level. For a list of network speech therapists, contact Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois at (888) 802-8776. In addition, for pediatric physical and occupational therapy, the Health Alliance has partnered with the following providers. Covered services delivered by these providers will be paid at the in-network benefit level. 
   

   • Charleston Children’s Therapy Center
   • Coastal Therapy Services 
   • Tri-county Therapy 


5. Will MUSC Children’s Hospital be available in the Preferred Partnership option?
   Yes, we are partnered with MUSC Children’s Hospital to provide care at an in-network rate for services not provided within the Roper St. Francis Health Alliance. Thus, MUSC Children’s Hospital, and their pediatric specialists, will be considered in-network when referred by a Roper St. Francis Health Alliance physician.


6. Are there some services or provider types that Roper St. Francis Healthcare does not have in their network?
   The physicians of the Roper St. Francis Health Alliance will refer to MUSC Children’s Hospital and their pediatric specialists for care that’s not available from Roper St. Francis Healthcare hospitals or physicians. In addition, for the services and provider categories shown below, Roper St. Francis Healthcare will supplement its network with the providers that are part of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield network.  
   
   Facilities and Services

   • Durable medical equipment
   • Laboratory
   • Skilled nursing facility

   Providers

   • Dermatologists
   • Maxillofacial (oral) surgeons
   • Speech therapists

   To get in-network benefits for the types of services shown above, you can use:

   • Providers who are affiliated with the Roper St. Francis Health Alliance
   • Providers who are in the Blue Cross and Blue Shield network, but not affiliated with Roper St. Francis Health Alliance. You can find these providers using the search tool on this site, and clicking on “See More Providers”. 


7. My doctor in the Roper St. Francis Health Alliance currently refers me to a doctor or facility outside of the network. If I select the Preferred Partnership option, will that be an in-network or non-network claim?
   In general, services for providers outside of the Roper St. Francis Health Alliance are considered a non-network expense. However, in limited situations, the service may not be available within the Roper St. Francis Health Alliance. There is a process for the Preferred Partner provider to request services be delivered by a non-Preferred Partner provider and then paid as an in-network service.


8. If I choose a Preferred Partnership option for medical coverage and I go to a provider who’s not in the Roper St. Francis Health Alliance network, how much will I pay?
   The amount you’ll pay depends on your situation:

   • If you require emergency care, you’ll pay the in-network cost of the service, whether you’re in the Charleston area or not.
   • If it’s not for an emergency, you’ll generally pay 40 percent of the cost of the service after you meet the annual deductible in the Traditional Medical Plan and Advantage+ health plan.
   • MUSC Children’s Hospital and its pediatric specialists will be available when Roper St. Francis Health Alliance physicians refer there for care that’s not available from the Roper St. Francis Health Alliance.
   • In any other situation where a particular service is not available from any network provider, a review process is available to determine if you’ll pay the in-network cost for a non-network provider. Email RSFHealthAlliance@RSFH.com for more info.


9. Will I have access to walk-in or urgent care clinics?
   Yes. For those times when you need to see a doctor right away, the Roper St. Francis Health Alliance offers several walk-in locations that are even open late and on weekends. Click here to find an Express Care or Urgent Care location.

Benefits

1. If I’m enrolled in the Advantage+ plan, what if I have questions about my Health Savings Account (HSA)?
   Please visit HealthEquity’s website or call HealthEquity at (877) 873-9377.


2. 24/7 NURSE LINE: What is the nurse line?
   Our nurse line is staffed 24/7 and provides an opportunity for you and your covered dependents to call and speak with a nurse about any medical concerns that you may have. Our nurses can advise you on your health no matter where you are or what time it is.  
   
   Our nurses will answer your medical questions such as: Do I have a cold or something more serious? How can I treat a minor cut or burn at home? Should I take my sick child to the doctor? Should I go to the emergency room or an Express Care or After Hours Clinic?
   
   Our nurses are also available to answer questions about your chronic conditions.
   
   The nurse line can be reached any time of day at (833) 347-5693.
   
   


3. How can I learn more about my benefits – for example, the amount of the deductible, or how the plans pay for specific services?
   If you need additional information on how your health plan pays, please call Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois at 888-802-8776. If you need additional information on the Annual Enrollment process, or issues like the dependent eligibility, call Worklife at 866-473-2016..

What is MyChart?

You can quickly and securely access your doctor's appointments and hospital services information online. Click here for more info https://www.rsfh.com/mychart/.

Provider Changes for 2027

1. Are there any changes to the in-network providers for 2027?

   Please click here to learn more.