Blue Cross Blue Shield insurance is a great option for just about anyone because of the unique services that it offers across several different types of scenarios. However, it’s not necessarily the right choice for everyone, and you’re going to find that there are some things to consider. While BCBS health insurance can be a lifesaver, it’s not always going to be and there are some things that you’re going to have to be careful of. But for the most part there are plenty of flexible and affordable plans that ensure you can find some type of coverage that’s guaranteed to work for you.
All you have to do is understand the different parts of BCBS health insurance and the coverage that is offered. For the most part, Blue Cross Blue Shield is just like other insurance companies, with a few key differences. Here’s you’re miniature guide to understanding the services that they can provide:
1) Choosing a type of insurance.
For standard coverage, you’re going to find that you have all the major types of health plans that you would have otherwise. That includes things like HMOs, PPOs as well as HSAs and health insurance reimbursement programs.
-HMO or Health Maintenance Organization
This is a program by which you’re given a primary care physician, through whom all of your care will go and have to be approved. This is a safer method in some ways, because it provides that one doctor is overseeing everything, and can stop problems that wouldn’t be caught by multiple doctors who are not familiar with your specific history.
-PPO or Preferred Provider Organization.
Unlike the HMO by which you have just the one PCP, you actually have a network of hospitals and doctors for where you can go for care. This way, you’re able to meet with anybody you like that’s covered by insurance, so that you can determine who you really want to visit. What’s more, unlike an HMO where there is no coverage that’s not approved by your PCP, with a PPO you’re actually still able to get some coverage if you go out of network, just to a lesser degree.
-HSAs or Health Savings Accounts.
These are special types of bank accounts by which you’re able to save for medical expenses, and as a way to pay for your deductible. This way, it’s not such a shock to the financial system when medical situations arise out of the blue.
-Health insurance reimbursement.
This is a program by which your insurance actually just reimburses you to some degree for medical expenses. That means you pay out of pocket, then submit copies of the bill and your insurance pays you back for a percentage of the cost. However, this entails paying totally out of pocket for a time, and reimbursement can take a while, which can be a pain.
2) BCBS short term health insurance.
This is another major offering of Blue Cross Blue Shield and is one of the biggest advantages. Available to both students as well as those that have recently lost their job, you’re able to get short term coverage that offers the same types of benefits that your previous plan featured, for the duration of time until you get a new permanent insurance provider. This is a great way to deal with the uncertainty of career transition, and can provide you with the best possible benefits.
3) Most BCBS health insurance plans have quite small co-pays.
Another major advantage of going Blue Cross Blue Shield is that it enables you to take advantage of fantastically low prices co-pays. Your copay is what you have to pay for medical care out of pocket, while the insurance company pays another percentage. Usually BCBS health insurance provides you with a much more fear number than most other companies, so that you can count on them always paying more than you do, once you have covered services.
4) However, most people get Blue Cross Blue Shield through employers.
This can be a problem because if you do not have access through an employer, the costs are much higher when you have to pay yourself. Out of pocket paying for individual health insurance is really expensive, and something that you don’t want to have to face on your own, because of those high costs. You’re likely going to have to face some pretty high premiums, or some pretty high deductibles in order to make your premium affordable, both of which can be problems for many families to pay for.