Effective July 1, 2008, for small group (2-150) new business and thereafter for renewing accounts, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois will introduce 17 new $3,500 deductible benefit plans to the Standard Products portfolio. The plans will be available with the following products:

• BlueChoice Select ® – 2 new plans
• BlueAdvantageSM Entrepreneur PPO (BAE) – 4 new plans
• BluePrint PPO – 10 new plans
• PPO Value Choice – 1 new plan

On average the new plan options will offer a 5 percent savings groups that have the $2,500 deductible plan with the same benefit design and will be available for quoting in mid-April.