Blue Cross Keeps It Simple with New Plan; The 3500 Deductible PPO Plan Takes the Guesswork out of Selecting and Using a Health Plan.Business Editors/Health/Medical Writers THOUSAND OAKS Thousand Oaks, residential city (1990 pop. 104,352), Ventura co., S Calif., in a farm area; inc. 1964. Avocados, citrus, vegetables, strawberries, and nursery products are grown. , Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 9, 2004 Blue Cross of California (Blue Cross) takes the guesswork out of selecting and using a health plan. The new 3500 Deductible Preferred Provider Organization pre·ferred provider organization n. Abbr. PPO A medical insurance plan in which members receive more coverage if they choose health care providers approved by or affiliated with the plan. (PPO PPO abbr. preferred provider organization PPO Managed care Preferred provider organization, see there Infectious disease Pleuropneumonia-like organism, see there ) Plan, offered by Blue Cross' affiliate BC Life & Health Insurance Company, is an affordable individual and family health plan with no coinsurance A provision of an insurance policy that provides that the insurance company and the insured will apportion between them any loss covered by the policy according to a fixed percentage of the value for which the property, or the person, is insured. or copays. A member simply meets the annual deductible of $3,500 and the plan then pays 100 percent of most covered medical expenses at participating providers. "The 3500 Deductible PPO Plan was designed as a choice for individuals who are seeking health care coverage that's affordable, yet simple and useable," said Steve Synott, general manager of individual services for Blue Cross. Highlights of the new plan include: -- Lower monthly premiums -- competitive, lower priced premiums than similar plans currently offered in the market -- No coinsurance or copays -- takes the math out of savings adjustments and simplifies use of services -- 100 percent coverage -- for most in-network medical services after deductible is met -- Prescription drug prescription drug Prescription medication Pharmacology An FDA-approved drug which must, by federal law or regulation, be dispensed only pursuant to a prescription–eg, finished dose form and active ingredients subject to the provisos of the Federal Food, Drug, benefit savings -- save on generic prescription drugs before deductible is met (copays apply) -- Immediate access to health and wellness programs -- HealthyCheck exams, health improvement programs and discounts on health care related products and services The 3500 Deductible PPO Plan is a lower-cost option for those who may no longer be able to pay their premiums or have otherwise considered going uninsured. "Value is immediate when considering the cost of a typical mishap or accident," says Dr. Jeff Kamil, vice president and corporate medical director, Blue Cross. "A $3,500 deductible is far less than the costs associated with a broken leg, estimated at $10,000 if uninsured." Individuals and families should evaluate their lifestyle and budget needs before selecting a health plan. For more information on the BC Life & Health 3500 Deductible PPO Plan, individuals can contact their local agent, call 800-777-6000 or visit http://www.bluecrossca.com. Premiums for the new plan vary by age and location of the applicant. Below are examples of rates for key geographies within California:
Single Subscriber & Spouse Family
(19-29) (30-34) (35-39)
LA $47 $153 $275
LA/Ventura $50 $165 $297
San Francisco/Contra Costa $43 $140 $252
Orange $45 $148 $267
San Diego $43 $140 $252
Blue Cross of California and its California affiliates, with more than 7.4 million medical members, is an operating subsidiary An operating subsidiary is a business term frequently used within the United States railroad industry. In the case of a railroad, it refers to a company that is a subsidiary but operates with its own identity and rolling stock. of WellPoint Health Networks Inc., the nation's second largest publicly traded health care company. WellPoint serves the health care needs of more than 15 million medical members and approximately 46 million specialty members nationally. WellPoint offers a broad spectrum of quality network-based health products including open access PPO, POS (1) See point of sale and packet over SONET. (2) "Parent over shoulder." See digispeak. POS - point of sale and hybrid products, HMO HMO health maintenance organization. HMO n. A corporation that is financed by insurance premiums and has member physicians and professional staff who provide curative and preventive medicine within certain financial, and specialty products. Specialty products include pharmacy benefit management A Pharmacy Benefit Manager (PBM) is a third party administrator of prescription drug programs. They are primarily responsible for processing and paying prescription drug claims. , dental, utilization management, vision, mental health, life and disability insurance, long term care insurance, flexible spending accounts flexible spending account, n an employee reimbursement account primarily funded with employee-designated salary reductions. Funds are reimbursed to the employee for health care (medical and/or dental), dependent care, and/or legal expenses and are , COBRA administration, and Medicare supplements. Visit Blue Cross of California, an independent licensee of the Blue Cross Association, on the web at www.bluecrossca.com. Blue Cross of California and BC Life & Health Insurance Company are independent licensees of the Blue Cross Association. |
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