Blue Cross Blue Shield provides health insurance plans nationwide, providing access to a vast network of doctors as well as member benefits like nurse lines and telemedicine services.
Selecting the appropriate plan involves considering both your budget and anticipated medical needs in the future. Premiums and deductibles work hand-in-hand to create an overall cost structure for coverage.
Costs
Cost of health insurance plans includes both monthly premiums and out-of-pocket healthcare costs, such as copays or coinsurance payments. A monthly premium may take the form of either a flat fee charged monthly by either you or your employer for all members of your family or it can be deducted directly from each paycheck based on age, location and type of coverage selected by an individual or family. Out-of-pocket costs typically consist of deductible payments (deductible), copays (copayments) or coinsurance payments that must be covered out-of-pocket expenses to receive healthcare services.
A deductible is the annual sum you must pay before your health plan begins paying for covered services, typically up to $2,000 annually. A higher deductible usually reduces premium costs; however, if you’re unlikely to use your health plan frequently enough it might be wiser to select one with lower monthly payments by opting for one with a higher deductible.
Once your deductible has been met, coinsurance – which is a percentage of what your health plan negotiated with in-network providers – becomes due. Once you reach your annual out-of-pocket maximum limit, however, the health plan will begin covering services entirely.
Blue Cross and Blue Shield offers an array of healthcare plans for individuals and families alike, Medicare coverage, dental, vision, as well as member benefits like large networks of doctors. Furthermore, there is also 24/7 nurse line services provided along with mobile apps – one of the largest health insurers nationwide with excellent ratings from customers varying based on region.
National Association of Insurance Commissioners offers a free online tool that lets you compare prices and quality of Blue Cross Blue Shield plans in your area, find health care providers who accept preferred insurers, compare other health insurers’ plans against Blue Cross/Blue Shield plans as well as estimate cost/benefit analyses using data provided by Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services – this tool covers most states (including DC).
Benefits
Blue Cross and Blue Shield companies offer a variety of health plans designed to meet the needs of individuals and families, available both through exchanges or directly from them. Each plan offers different benefits, deductibles, and premiums.
Blue Cross and Blue Shield health insurance company provides access to care for most Americans through a vast network of physicians, telemedicine services, an app, telehealth clinics and 24/7 telemedicine availability for its members. Their 24-hour telemedicine service can connect members with doctors in their area as well as answer questions regarding symptoms or provide treatment guidance; their app tracks claims and allows members to schedule appointments easily.
Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) Blue Cross and Blue Shield plans cost more than Exclusive Provider Organization (EPO) or Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) plans, but provide greater flexibility. No referral is necessary to visit specialists; alternatively you can visit out-of-network doctors; however their costs will likely exceed those within your plan’s network.
Premiums are monthly payments you make directly to your health insurance company for coverage. They typically depend on factors like age and location; younger individuals typically pay lower premiums. Premiums may be deducted directly from paychecks or may be deducted automatically as part of payroll deduction.
Based on your income, you may qualify for a subsidy that helps cover your premium and discounts on prescription and preventive services. Blue Cross and Blue Shield is one of the nation’s premier health insurers and offers a variety of plans designed specifically to fit individual, families and small business customers.
Blue Cross and Blue Shield offers individual and group health insurance as well as Medicare Advantage, dental and vision coverage for members across the United States. Their networks span across the nation with multiple options for telemedicine services available. Furthermore, their members can take advantage of member benefits including nurse lines and mobile apps to make managing health expenses easy.
Coverage
Blue Cross Blue Shield is one of the nation’s premier health insurance providers. Offering access to an extensive network of doctors and hospitals as well as member benefits like nurse line support and telemedicine access for members enrolled, Blue Cross Blue Shield plans can also cover gym membership fees or dental care services depending on the plan selected.
Blue Cross Blue Shield provides several Medicare Advantage plans. These plans feature prescription drug coverage at lower premiums than traditional Medicare Part D plans and can be purchased either directly from Blue Cross Blue Shield or through the Medicare marketplace. Blue Cross Blue Shield’s plans have received average ratings from Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services while some even had below-average scores.
Blue Cross Blue Shield health insurance premiums vary based on state and region. Blue Cross offers several solutions for individuals searching for affordable healthcare, including the Essential Plan which caters to those making too much for Medicaid but not enough to qualify for a Qualified Health Plan (QHP). J.D. Power recently ranked this plan #1 for customer satisfaction as well as having one of the lowest monthly premiums of comparable plans listed on an Exchange platform.
Blue Cross Blue Shield plans typically feature a deductible, which is the amount you must pay out-of-pocket before your plan contributes. Once your out-of-pocket maximum has been reached, your plan will begin paying 100% of covered services; to find out your deductible amount simply refer to your Blue Cross Blue Shield plan details.
Telemedicine services from companies like ours offer an attractive option to those who don’t wish to wait in line for doctor’s appointments. Members can connect with registered nurses via phone or video chat for diagnosis and treatment services for specific ailments – saving both time and money at emergency departments.
The company’s pharmacy benefits provide coverage for most generic and brand name medications. Furthermore, most preventive services (checkups/screenings/vaccines) can be obtained at no cost to members; and its mobile app makes managing prescription drugs and tracking spending simple and accessible.
Complaints
Blue Shield partners with state and federal agencies as well as advocacy organizations to combat healthcare fraud. If you suspect any form of healthcare fraud, contact the appropriate state or federal agency or advocacy organization immediately; alternatively you can report robocalls purporting to come from Blue Cross or Blue Shield directly.
Blue Cross Blue Shield operates differently from some large insurers by operating as an alliance of semi-independent health insurance companies in various states, so customer service ratings and plan quality can differ considerably based on location. On average, BCBS plans have better-than-average National Committee for Quality Assurance quality ratings with lower consumer complaint levels compared to competitors; however, their silver plans often feature above-average deductibles, and have higher ACA marketplace premiums than other insurers.
Blue Shield offers a three-month grace period for late payment of its premiums; at the end of which period, you are responsible for any billed charges, unless there is an outstanding medical bill that has been fully paid or your current coverage continues. Blue Shield may deduct any outstanding amounts from future claims made by you or offset payments it has already made providers; should an error arise with regard to payments, they will notify both members and providers accordingly and correct it as quickly as possible.
