Blue Cross and Blue Shield provides individual health plans, family health plans, dental/vision coverage as well as Medicare/ Medicaid solutions. In addition, we also offer long term care and disability solutions.
The 34 independent, locally run BCBS companies comprising the Federation are committed to serving you, which explains why so many choose them every year.
HMO
Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS) is an association of independent, locally run health insurers which offer managed care plans in most states and several regions across the U.S. These HMOs and PPOs typically combine hospital and medical coverage into one policy; historically the names Blue Cross and Blue Shield were used separately but today most BCBS companies operate as combined organizations; paying hospitals and doctors by both its “Blue” and its “Shield” components of operation.
HMO (Health Maintenance Organization) plans are managed care plans that offer lower monthly premiums in exchange for access to a limited network of doctors, hospitals, and specialists. HMO members typically select one primary care physician who refers them for specialist treatment if necessary – these plans often feature lower deductibles than PPO plans.
Blue Cross and Shield provides both HMO plans as well as PPO plans with wider networks of providers for members to select. Blue Choice Select PPO plan in New York was named number one, providing access to an affordable range of services.
Other Blue Cross and Shield health care offerings include Blue Choice International, an international network of medically equipped facilities; BlueCare, a nationwide program that discounts prescription drug costs; and Blue365, an online store where members can save on health-related products and services. Blue Cross and Shield administers Medicare in many states across the U.S.
Blue Cross Blue Shield companies also provide traditional insurance, which gives members freedom of selection of physicians and hospitals and doesn’t impose restrictions on the providers covered by insurance. This type of plan was popular with loggers and miners in the Pacific Northwest during the early 1900s; today millions of federal employees participate in the Federal Employees Health Benefit Program that utilize traditional policies.
PPO
Preferred Provider Organization plans allow you to choose whether to visit doctors and hospitals within or outside your insurance network for medical care, with providers within being more cost-effective; you will pay less.
PPO plans typically offer monthly premiums plus out-of-pocket costs like copays and deductibles; you can browse Marketplace PPO health insurance plans to find one that best meets your needs and budget.
Costs for PPOs depend on several factors, including provider, location and coverage levels. To help reduce expenses further, you can utilize the Marketplace’s Compare Plans tool to view detailed pricing for Blue Cross and Blue Shield plans available in your area – this free online tool makes informed decisions about what kind of coverage best meets your needs.
Are You Searching for a Blue Cross and Blue Shield Plan or Want to Modify Existing Coverage? Now Is The Time! During Open Enrollment season – which typically occurs in late fall/winter – is when it can all be accomplished. Speak with Your Blue Cross and Blue Shield Representative Now
The Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association, or BCBS, is an American-based federation of 34 independently operated Blue Cross and Blue Shield companies serving 115 million people throughout America. These local Blues operate within communities throughout America to meet healthcare needs of their members while creating long-term partnerships between doctors and hospitals to understand local healthcare landscapes and offer creative solutions that best suit local populations.
High Deductible Health Plan
Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS) has long been recognized for providing stability, clarity and innovation to families across America. Families know they can rely on BCBS as they deliver healthcare they can count on – today serving over 17 million unionized workers, retirees and their families nationwide from 33 companies affiliated with it and working closely with organized labor to offer affordable Medicare Advantage and Medigap plans that benefit working Americans nationwide.
An HDHP allows for lower monthly premiums by forcing you to cover more out-of-pocket medical costs before your insurance kicks in. Also known as consumer-directed or cost-sharing plans, HDHPs can be combined with Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) so you can use pretax dollars towards healthcare expenses until your deductible has been reached.
During your deductible period, both you and your health plan share costs associated with covered services in an arrangement known as coinsurance. Your annual deductible usually occurs once out-of-pocket expenses reach the maximum allowable limit (in the form of either $7500 for self-only plans or $15000 for family coverage).
Blue Cross Blue Shield and UnitedHealthcare both provide three Medicare Part D plans with different premium and deductible options, known as Value, Enhanced, and Standard plans in each state. In Pennsylvania’s southeastern region Independence Blue Cross and Highmark Blue Shield operate separately as hospital and medical insurers but share marketing agreements that enable PPO/HMO policies with hospital coverage combined into one policy.
Point-of-Service Plan
POS plans combine elements of both HMOs and PPOs into one health plan option, offering the flexibility of HMOs while allowing out-of-network care; when this occurs, your POS plan will reimburse a portion of charges considered reasonable and customary by its insurers.
Contrary to PPO plans, POS plans do not require you to meet a deductible before your insurer begins covering medical expenses. Nonetheless, similar cost structures such as monthly premiums and copays/coinsurance still exist – so be sure to read all related plan documents thoroughly so as to be informed about all associated costs.
HMOs typically require referrals from their primary care physician (PCP) for specialty services and will only cover out-of-network care in emergencies; however, HMOs usually have lower monthly premiums than PPOs and don’t usually require a deductible payment.
POS plans are less popular among those purchasing their health coverage on the individual market than HMOs and PPOs, meaning they might not be available everywhere. But once found, once you find one you like you should likely find more choice of providers than with other types of Blue Cross and Blue Shield plans. No matter if or not an FEHB enrollee it is always wise to request and review every year during Open Season the participating provider directory provided by your employer; this directory should include doctors, hospitals and any other facilities providing health services as well as accessing it directly on our website FEHB provider directory!
High Deductible Health Savings Account
Health Savings Accounts are an ideal companion to HDHPs, providing tax-advantaged savings opportunities to cover any health care expenses not covered by your plan – such as prescriptions. Your HSA funds can then be used to pay qualified medical expenses from this account.
An HDHP/HSA or HRA gives you more freedom and discretion over how you spend your healthcare dollars, with catastrophic coverage added as a benefit. Any funds from non-covered services go towards your deductible, which decreases how long it will be until most covered services begin being reimbursed by insurance.
The MIT BCBS PPO+ HDHP and Health Savings Account offer an alternative to traditional health plan options by pairing a high deductible with an employer-funded health savings account, giving you greater control over how you invest in your healthcare costs. State HDHPs give access to Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois PPO networks as well as higher deductibles with reduced biweekly premiums.
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois provides individual, family, group, dental & vision and Medicare plans tailored specifically for Illinois. Please refer to your health plan’s benefit booklet for specifics. The Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association (BCBSA), is a United States-based federation of 34 independent and locally-operated Blue Cross companies in America providing health insurance across 34 states in North America; more than 17 million unionized workers retirees families benefit from BCBSA coverage each year – giving each community the security offered by national coverage with local responsiveness & compassion.