ALLENTOWN, Pa. – Capital Blue Cross is launching a new health plan option in collaboration with St. Luke’s University Health Network that can help Lehigh Valley employers manage rising health care costs for their employees.
St. Luke’s officials say that Valley Advantage EPO will help employers control rising health care expenses. The plan is available currently to employers in Lehigh and Northampton counties with more than 100 employees, and will be available to companies with fewer than 100 employees in 2027, according to a news release.
“St. Luke’s has long been recognized for delivering exceptional care at a lower cost than competitors,” said Rick Anderson, president and CEO of St. Luke’s University Health Network. “The collaboration between Capital Blue Cross and St. Luke’s allows us to offer employers in the Lehigh Valley a plan that enables access to high‑quality care that is more affordable.”
With employer‑sponsored medical and Rx coverage projected to increase by 8.4% in 2026, Valley Advantage EPO gives employers a clearer path to managing those costs with rates that are lower than Capital’s standard PPO plan, according to officials.
St. Luke’s officials say other key features of the EPO plan include:
A value-based care model that prioritizes care quality, outcomes, and efficiencySimplified access to care across St. Luke’s network of 16 hospital campuses and more than 350 provider office locationsNo referrals required for in-network servicesWellness credits for eligible businesses with more than 100 employees
Employers who are interested in the plan can contact their Capital Blue Cross account executive or health plan consultant.