Blue Cross Health Insurance Quotes: The Best Way to Weigh Up your Blue Cross Options
The managed health care system has within its industry the means of operating through a network of providers who contract with individual insurance companies to provide services. Blue Cross is a provider that offers health plans within its managed network. Each plan differs in what is offered and the amount of the deductible. So, better yet get Blue Cross health insurance quotes first, before deciding on which insurance plan would be the best.
Premiums also differ according to what part of the state, town or rural area you reside in. Most insurance companies are governed by individual state insurance laws; California is no different. Depending on where you live in the state, a family of four can find adequate and complete health insurance coverage for a low price.
How insurance benefits work can be confusing, and many people do not understand that their individual and family needs will change over time. A knowledgeable, proven insurance company can be a great source of confidence through the years. Knowing that you and your loved ones are insured through life’s expected and unexpected events takes much of the stress out of day-to-day living.
Most Blue Cross health plans offer many types of coverage, from individual to family group plans, as well as special needs and plans that cover unexpected medical coverage. A Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) through Blue Cross is convenient and easy to use through many primary-care physicians.
Blue Cross health insurance offers the advantage of several types of plans designed to lower the share of medical costs when the insured person uses a physician who is part of the Blue Cross network. Affordable co-payments are set for visits to the doctor as well as prescription drug coverage, emergency and maternity benefits.
When you choose a plan, you will be offered a list of physicians approved by the insurance company as part of that network. The doctor you choose will be your primary-care physician and will be responsible for overseeing and coordinating all aspects of your healthcare. If you choose a physician who is not a part of the network approved by Blue Cross, you will be required to pay more out-of-pocket for services. Many times, reduced rates and costs apply only to the network-approved providers who have contracted with your insurance company.
Choose a plan with a deductible that suits your budget. Deductibles are paid prior to full coverage benefits for medical costs each calendar year. Once the deductible has been met, many plans cover 80 or 100 percent of the covered medical expenses for the remainder of the calendar year.
In addition to your location, premiums are also set by other guidelines including age, physical health and whether you are a smoker. The plans offered by Blue Cross and how they compare include:
Smart Sense Plus: This plan works to cover essential needs with some of the lowest rates available. It offers a wide choice of monthly rates and deductible combinations designed to fit family budgets. This reliable plan has a large network of doctors and hospitals. Prescription drug coverage benefits are included, as well as health and wellness incentive programs, travel coverage, and a life and dental care option.
Clear Protection SM Plus: This plan offers a combination of benefits with affordable protection that includes a co-pay, prescription drug coverage, maternity benefits, low deductibles and free yearly exams including well-baby exams.
Lumenos HSA Plus: This traditional PPO plan includes the option for a health savings account with a higher deductible. The monthly rates are affordable and you are free to choose a plan with or without maternity benefits. A separate health savings account is established into which you deposit. This money is used for medical expenses throughout the year such as prescriptions and doctor visits, while the plan coverage is set aside for catastrophic healthcare needs, such as hospitalization, accidents or surgery.
Premier Plus: This plan offers a full range of services for individuals or families. It includes the highest level of PPO benefits and gives you the option of using the Health Check SM Center, which provides coverage for annual preventive screenings before the deductible. Policy premiums and deductibles vary according to age and address.
Tonik: This provides protection that is geared toward the young, healthy, active lifestyle. The Tonik plan offers complete coverage with options for dental, travel and vision. This reasonably priced plan offers discounts and incentives for a healthy lifestyle.
Core Guard SM Plus: This plan is popular because of its low monthly premiums. With several deductibles to choose from, it offers a low co-payment for prescriptions of a generic brand; name-brand prescriptions are not covered. While monthly premiums are low, you may be expected to pay more of a percentage for healthcare costs should you experience a catastrophic illness.