How To Know Which Blue Cross Of California Plan Is Right For You

Blue Cross of California is part of largest healthHMO plan, your healthcare is organized by a
insurance provider in the nation. It has beenprimary care physician. This physician is responsible
serving the health insurance needs of Californiafor your routine care and exams, and refers you
residents since 1937. Blue Cross of California,to specialists when needed. HMO plans are
together with its branded affiliates, provides healthcheaper than PPO plans, but have a smaller
care services to more than 6.8 million members.network of healthcare providers.
There is a reason why Blue Cross is the largest inTo take advantage of the coverage, you have to
California. What you will find is coverage optionsuse providers within the plan's network. This can
that are easy to understand, health plans to fitbe an inconvenience if your current doctor isn't
everyone's budget, customer service that ispart of the network. But since Blue Cross has one
always there to answer your questions and oneof the largest networks in California, finding a
of the largest networks of doctors and hospitals.healthcare provider is easy. Blue Cross even has a
Blue Cross of California offers four group ofProvider Finder to help you locate a healthcare
health plans, your standard PPO plans, HMO healthprofessional near you.
plans, Lumenos Plans and Short Term Health Plans.Blue Cross HMO plans have low deductibles. And
Preferred Provider Organization plans - PPO planssome of the plans have no deductible. Doctor
for short - save you money when you usevisits have copayments as low as $10. And
healthcare providers within a selected network.generic drugs only cost $10 a prescription, too.
Blue Cross has one of the largest PPO networksOther HMO benefits:
in California, with over 48,500 doctors and 465- 80% coverage of inpatient hospital fees
hospitals.- Maternity coverage - only a $10 copay for
By putting together this network of healthcaredoctor visits
professionals, Blue Cross is able to ensure the- Coverage for physical therapy and chiropractic
quality of healthcare services its membersservices
receive. It's also able to negotiate the price those- No charge for x-rays and anesthesia when
services will be given at - enabling it to passrelated to a doctor's visit
savings on to its members.Because of the controlled costs, budgeting for
These plans are ideal for people with a family - oryour healthcare needs is easy. And if you choose
people about to start one. They offer coveragean HMO plan with no deductible, you don't have to
for you and your school-age children. They alsopay out for your coverage to kick in.
offer maternity benefits.While HMO plans aren't as flexible as PPO plans,
Best of all, most of the services you and yourthe savings and the predictability of expenses are
family need immediately are covered before youworth it for most people and families. And if you
have to start paying the deductible. This includesor someone in your family has a pre-existing
preventive care, doctor visits, and genericcondition, an HMO plan could be your best option.
prescription drugs.The new Lumenos plans from Blue Cross of
Some of the features of Blue Cross PPO plansCalifornia give you control over your healthcare.
include:That means you control where your healthcare
- $10 copay on prescription drugsdollars go. Nothing comes between you and your
- Maternity coveragedoctor. And with the Lumenos Health Incentive
- Flexible deductible options - as low as $500Account plan, Blue Cross will actually reward you
- Coverage for physical therapy and acupuncturefor making healthy decisions.
- Coverage for "Well Baby" and "Well Child" careLumenos is a consumer-directed health plan. That
The flexible deductible helps you budget for yourmeans that instead of relying on your insurance
medical needs. The higher the deductible youcompany to make health decisions for you, you
choose, the lower your monthly premiums.and your doctor are in control of your healthcare.
Like most PPO plans, the Blue Cross plans let youOnce you meet your deductible, the Lumenos
use a healthcare provider outside of the network,plans include 100% coverage for many healthcare
and still enjoy some coverage. For most services,needs, including visits to your doctor, inpatient
Blue Cross will still pay up to 50% of the cost ofhospital services, prescription drugs, and maternity
healthcare you receive outside the network. Butcare.
to get full coverage, you should choose a providerAnd like all health plans from Blue Cross of
within the network. Blue Cross has a providerCalifornia, the Lumenos plans include access to the
finder to help you find a professional in your area.award-winning Blue Cross health management
Health Maintenance Organization plans - HMO planswebsite. If you have health questions, the Nurse
for short - offer affordable coverage withAdvice Line is just a phone call away - and
predictable expenses.available 24 hours day. And the Personal Health
HMO plans are able to offer affordable healthcareCoach Program will give you assistance managing
by controlling the costs of elective care. In anyour special health needs.