Medical Benefits

Quality healthcare

Doctor and patient discussing something while sitting at the table .

Quality healthcare

NorthWestern Energy is committed to providing you access to affordable, quality health care for you and your family. We offer two medical plans administered by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Montana (BCBSMT). BCBSMT provides access to a broad national network of providers.

Medical Plan Coverage Options

All employees can elect coverage under a high deductible health plan (HDHP) that is health savings account (HSA) qualified or a preferred provider organization (PPO) plan. A comparison of the plans is provided in your enrollment guide and through the benefit summary link below. NorthWestern Energy provides a generous contribution toward your medical premium cost. See the link below with the rate summaries.

Medical Rates for 2024

Annual  Single  Two Party  Family 
 Total Premium  Employer ContributionEmployee ContributionTotal PremiumEmployer ContributionEmployee ContributionTotal PremiumEmployer ContributionEmployee Contribution
HSA-Qualified $7,729.20 $7,342.72$386.46$17,931.48$17,034.91$896.57$25,737.60$24,450.72$1,286.88
Premier $8,181.36 $6,954.16$ 1,227.20$18,980.76$16,133.65$ 2,847.11$27,243.96$23,157.37$ 4,086.59

 

Bi-Weekly  Single  Two Party  Family 
 Total Premium  Employer ContributionEmployee ContributionTotal PremiumEmployer ContributionEmployee ContributionTotal PremiumEmployer ContributionEmployee Contribution
HSA-Qualified $297.28 $282.41$14.87$689.67$655.19$34.48$989.91$940.41$49.50
Premier $314.67 $267.47$ 47.20$730.03$620.53$109.50$1,047.84$890.67$157.17

Rates do not reflect premium incentives earned under the wellbeing program.

Fidelity Health Plan Comparison Tool

Fidelity help you make an informed decision about your health plan selection.
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Summary of Benefits and Coverage

Summary of Benefits and Coverage documents provide an overview of plan design features such as deductibles, out-of-pocket maximums and the level of coverage provided for common medical services and procedures.

HSA-Qualified Plan

screen grab of video explaining consumer-drive health plans

HSA-Qualified Plan

The HSA-Qualified Plan features lower premiums and higher deductibles. If you choose the HSA-Qualified Plan, you can contribute pre-tax dollars to an HSA that can be used to pay for qualified health care expenses. Because the monies in an HSA can be rolled over from year to year, the HSA can also help you save for health care expenses in retirement.

PPO Plan

Screen grab from PPO video

PPO Plan

The PPO Plan has higher premiums but lower deductibles. If you enroll in the PPO Plan, you can choose to contribute to a tax-advantaged health care flexible spending account, or FSA, to cover qualified health care expenses. Unlike the HSA, the FSA does not roll over from year to year, so make sure you consider which plan is right for you.

Prescription Drug Coverage

Man Customer Standing near Cashier Desk and Holding Medical Prescription.

Prescription Drug Coverage

If you're enrolled in one of NorthWestern Energy's medical plans, you will automatically have prescription drug coverage through Express Scripts, NorthWestern Energy's pharmacy benefit manager.

Coverage is provided for 30-day and 90-day retail and home delivery prescriptions filled through a network pharmacy. The medical summaries provide a comparison of the coinsurance and copayment amounts along with your maximum out-of-pocket costs for prescription drugs. The Plan Highlights provides plan details, a tool to compare the cost of your medications under each medical plan and where to find a network pharmacy. 
Plan Highlights