Anthem Blue Cross

Finding the right health insurance in California can be complicated. Understanding insurance lingo like coinsurance, copayments and deductibles can really muddy the waters. First of all, you want to work with an agency that helps simplify the process and puts the various carriers and plans side-by-side in a consistent matter. BenefitPackages.com (formerly Hurwitz Insurance & Financial Services) has been helping customers choose quality California health care plans for over 25 years. As a Platinum Premier Partner with Anthem Blue Cross, Benefit Packages is among the top 20 agencies in the nation based on volume. Most importantly, their goal is to be number one based on quality. There are various choices within the Anthem Blue Cross portfolio, and it’s clear that no one plan fits everyone. Below is a brief summary of their PPO portfolio, listing the least expensive plans first. Remember all plans under the Health Reform Act provide 100% coverage before the deductible for preventative benefits as well as an unlimited lifetime maximum benefit

ClearProtection Plus

The $3,300 deductible associated with this plan applies for hospital, emergency & surgery. All other outpatient benefits accrue toward the maximum out of pocket. $40 copayment for the first two office visits per family member per calendar year. First dollar coverage on generic prescriptions, high deductible prior to brand RX benefits kick in.

CoreGuard Plus

Deductible ranges from $750-$5,000.

All benefits accrue toward deductible and then are paid at 50% until maximum out of pocket is reached, at which point they will be paid at 100%. First dollar coverage on generic prescriptions, high deductible prior to brand RX benefits kick in.

Smart Sense Plus

Deductible ranges from $1,000-$6,000

All benefits accrue toward deductible and then are paid at 70% until maximum out of pocket is reached, at which point they will be paid at 100%. $30 copayment for the first three office visits per family member per calendar year. Further visits reduce your deductible. First dollar coverage on generic prescriptions, high deductible for brand RX before benefits kicks in, unless you opt for the “upgrade” option.

Lumenos HSA Plus

Deductible ranges from $3,000 to $11,900 depending on single or family coverage.

All benefits including prescriptions accrue toward the deductible and then pay 100% once the deductible is satisfied. The $7,500 & $11,900 family deductibles are “embedded” which means that, like a traditional “aggregate” deductible, if two or more family members meet the deductible together then all family members benefits will be paid at 100%. Additionally, the “embedded” feature considers the deductible satisfied for one family member if he/she meet half the deductible, which would be either $3,750 or $5,950. Since the Lumenos plans are HSA qualified, members may reduce their taxable income by depositing monies in an HSA designated health savings account.

Premier Plus

Deductible ranges from $1,000-$6,000. All benefits accrue toward the deductible and then are paid at 75% until maximum out of pocket is reached, at which point they will be paid at 100%. $30 Copayment for primary care physician and $50 for specialist-deductible waived. First dollar coverage on generic prescriptions. Brand name prescriptions are either $40 or $60 after a $500 calendar year deductible.