How to Know Which Blue Cross of California Plan is Right for you

Blue Cross of California is part of largest healthby controlling the costs of elective care. In an
insurance provider in the nation. It has beenHMO plan, your healthcare is organized by a
serving the health insurance needs of Californiaprimary care physician. This physician is responsible
residents since 1937. Blue Cross of California,for your routine care and exams, and refers you
together with its branded affiliates, provides healthto specialists when needed. HMO plans are
care services to more than 6.8 million members.cheaper than PPO plans, but have a smaller
There is a reason why Blue Cross is the largest innetwork of healthcare providers.
California. What you will find is coverage optionsTo take advantage of the coverage, you have to
that are easy to understand, health plans to fituse providers within the plan’s network. This
everyone’s budget, customer service that iscan be an inconvenience if your current doctor
always there to answer your questions and oneisn’t part of the network. But since Blue
of the largest networks of doctors and hospitals.Cross has one of the largest networks in
Blue Cross of California offers four group ofCalifornia, finding a healthcare provider is easy.
health plans, your standard PPO plans, HMO healthBlue Cross even has a Provider Finder to help you
plans, Lumenos Plans and Short Term Health Plans.locate a healthcare professional near you.
Preferred Provider Organization plans — PPOBlue Cross HMO plans have low deductibles. And
plans for short — save you money when yousome of the plans have no deductible. Doctor
use healthcare providers within a selectedvisits have copayments as low as $10. And
network. Blue Cross has one of the largest PPOgeneric drugs only cost $10 a prescription, too.
networks in California, with over 48,500 doctorsOther HMO benefits:
and 465 hospitals.• 80% coverage of inpatient hospital fees
By putting together this network of healthcare• Maternity coverage — only a $10 copay
professionals, Blue Cross is able to ensure thefor doctor visits
quality of healthcare services its members• Coverage for physical therapy and
receive. It’s also able to negotiate the pricechiropractic services
those services will be given at — enabling it to• No charge for x-rays and anesthesia when
pass savings on to its members.related to a doctor’s visit
These plans are ideal for people with a familyBecause of the controlled costs, budgeting for
— or people about to start one. They offeryour healthcare needs is easy. And if you choose
coverage for you and your school-age children.an HMO plan with no deductible, you don’t
They also offer maternity benefits.have to pay out for your coverage to kick in.
Best of all, most of the services you and yourWhile HMO plans aren’t as flexible as PPO
family need immediately are covered before youplans, the savings and the predictability of
have to start paying the deductible. This includesexpenses are worth it for most people and
preventive care, doctor visits, and genericfamilies. And if you or someone in your family has
prescription drugs.a pre-existing condition, an HMO plan could be
Some of the features of Blue Cross PPO plansyour best option.
include:The new Lumenos plans from Blue Cross of
• $10 copay on prescription drugsCalifornia give you control over your healthcare.
• Maternity coverageThat means you control where your healthcare
• Flexible deductible options — as low asdollars go. Nothing comes between you and your
$500doctor. And with the Lumenos Health Incentive
• Coverage for physical therapy andAccount plan, Blue Cross will actually reward you
acupuncturefor making healthy decisions.
• Coverage for “Well Baby” andLumenos is a consumer-directed health plan. That
“Well Child” caremeans that instead of relying on your insurance
The flexible deductible helps you budget for yourcompany to make health decisions for you, you
medical needs. The higher the deductible youand your doctor are in control of your healthcare.
choose, the lower your monthly premiums.Once you meet your deductible, the Lumenos
Like most PPO plans, the Blue Cross plans let youplans include 100% coverage for many healthcare
use a healthcare provider outside of the network,needs, including visits to your doctor, inpatient
and still enjoy some coverage. For most services,hospital services, prescription drugs, and maternity
Blue Cross will still pay up to 50% of the cost ofcare.
healthcare you receive outside the network. ButAnd like all health plans from Blue Cross of
to get full coverage, you should choose a providerCalifornia, the Lumenos plans include access to the
within the network. Blue Cross has a provideraward-winning Blue Cross health management
finder to help you find a professional in your area.website. If you have health questions, the Nurse
Health Maintenance Organization plans — HMOAdvice Line is just a phone call away — and
plans for short — offer affordable coverageavailable 24 hours day. And the Personal Health
with predictable expenses.Coach Program will give you assistance managing
HMO plans are able to offer affordable healthcareyour special health needs.