Health Maintenance Organization plans – HMO plans for short – offer affordable coverage with predictable expenses.
HMO plans are able to offer affordable healthcare by controlling the costs of elective care. In an HMO plan, your healthcare is organized by a primary care physician. This physician is responsible for your routine care and exams, and refers you to specialists when needed. HMO plans are cheaper than PPO plans, but have a smaller network of healthcare providers.
To take advantage of the coverage, you have to use providers within the plan’s network. This can be an inconvenience if your current doctor isn’t part of the network. But since Blue Cross has one of the largest networks in California, finding a healthcare provider is easy. Blue Cross even has a Provider Finder to help you locate a healthcare professional near you.
Blue Cross HMO plans have low deductibles. And some of the plans have no deductible. Doctor visits have copayments as low as $10. And generic drugs only cost $10 a prescription, too.
Other HMO benefits:
- 80% coverage of inpatient hospital fees
- Maternity coverage – only a $10 copay for doctor visits
- Coverage for physical therapy and chiropractic services
- No charge for x-rays and anesthesia when related to a doctor’s visit
Because of the controlled costs, budgeting for your healthcare needs is easy. And if you choose an HMO plan with no deductible, you don’t have to pay out for your coverage to kick in.
While HMO plans aren’t as flexible as PPO plans, the savings and the predictability of expenses are worth it for most people and families. And if you or someone in your family has a pre-existing condition, an HMO plan could be your best option.
Blue Cross of California offers these HMO plans:
The Blue Cross HMO Plans were awarded a “commendable” rating from the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA). This rating is awarded to managed care organization plans that deliver the highest quality care and service. NCQU is an independent, not-for-profit organization that assesses managed care organizations to assist consumers in making the best health care decisions.
As a member of Blue Cross of California HMO, you get reduced out-of-pocket costs, thorough health care coverage, and unlimited lifetime benefits for covered services, minimum co pays for office visits, self-referral option for OB/GYN, Blue Cross DirectAccess and Blue Cross SpeedyReferral.
Preventative Care – Comprehensive coverage under the Blue Cross HMO plan includes physical exams by your PCP, and routine cancer screenings, such as Pap smears for cervical cancer.
Well Woman Preventative Care – In order to help women stay healthy, all women enrolled in a Blue Cross HMO plan have the option of using their PCP or selecting another OB/GYN directly from a participating specialist, without waiting for a referral from their Primary Care Physician. If you are unsure who might be an appropriate OB/GYN, your medical group can provide you with a list of names.
Healthy Extensions – HMO Plan members are strongly encouraged to take advantage of the healthy lifestyle resources that are offered at a discount. Healthy Extensions offers discounts on a variety of alternative health care and wellness products and services such as programs that will help you quit smoking or lose weight.
To get more info about your HMO options, get a free quote today. We’ll show you rates on different plans, so you can choose the best one.