Is Blue Cross Blue Shield only in California?

Asked by: Mr. Arjun Boyle I  |  Last update: December 10, 2023
Score: 4.5/5 (27 votes)

The 34 independent and locally operated Blue Cross Blue Shield companies deliver health insurance coverage to one in three Americans across all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico.

Does Blue Shield work outside of California?

Most Blue Cross Blue Shield members can rest easy since Blue Cross Blue Shield coverage opens doors in all 50 states and is accepted by over 90 percent of doctors and specialists. And if your extended travel plans take you abroad, you can ensure you have access to quality care through GeoBlue.

Is Blue Shield of California only for California?

Blue Shield of California, based in San Francisco, has been providing health coverage to California residents since 1939. Today, Blue Shield of California is one of only two preferred provider organizations that offers plans to all California ZIP codes and counties.

Is Blue Shield California different from Blue Cross Blue Shield?

Blue Shield of California is a Registered® mark of the BlueCross BlueShield Association, an association of independent Blue Cross and Blue Shield plans. Blue Shield of California and Mylifepath are service marks of Blue Shield of California.

Is Blue California the same as Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield?

Structure of two carriers

Anthem Blue Cross is a publicly-trade, for profit company. Blue Shield of California is a non-profit.

36 Blue Cross Blue Shield Health Insurance Companies Explained

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Does Anthem Blue Cross work outside of California?

If you are traveling outside California and need urgent care for a non-emergency situation, you can access services from Blue Cross and/or Blue Shield contracted health care professionals throughout the country.

Does Anthem Blue Cross California cover out of state?

Anthem PPO plans cover emergency and urgent care in all 50 states through the BlueCard® Program — as well as nonemergency care when you visit participating BlueCard® Program providers in this country or worldwide.

Is Blue Shield of California private?

Blue Shield of California is a tax paying, nonprofit, independent member of the Blue Shield Association with more than 4.8 million members, over 7,500 employees and more than $24 billion in annual revenue.

Is Blue Shield California good insurance?

Blue Shield of California is seventh on Insure.com's list of the Best Health Insurance Companies for 2023. The company received an impressive 4 out of 5 stars from the National Committee for Quality Assurance. NCQA evaluates healthcare plans on, among other things, member satisfaction.

What is the difference between Blue Shield HMO and PPO?

Choosing between an HMO or a PPO health plan doesn't have to be complicated. The main differences between the two are the size of the health care provider network, the flexibility of coverage or payment assistance for doctors in-network vs out-of-network, and the monthly payment.

Can I use Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan in California?

As a Blue Cross member, your health coverage goes with you when you travel. No matter what plan you have, you're covered for emergency care in Michigan, across the country or around the world.

Does Covered California cover outside of California?

If the student is going to school outside the state of California, only emergency services may be covered by a Covered California health insurance plan. Non-emergency services received outside the state of California will not be covered.

Can you use California health insurance out of state?

All health insurance plans regardless of the state of purchase will cover emergency services at any hospital in the United States, with the exception of Hawaii. However, non-emergency care, like primary care visits, might not be covered.

Is Blue Cross Blue Shield across the US?

They work closely with hospitals and doctors in the communities they serve to provide quality, affordable healthcare. We understand and answer to the needs of local communities, while providing nationwide healthcare coverage that opens doors for 115 million members in all 50 states, Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico.

Does Covered California cover out of state employees?

Covered CA

The Blue Shield Bronze PPO 60 plan, with out-of-state coverage through the Blue Card, is available to out-of-state (OOS) employees IF the employer is located in the service area where the plan is offered. Below is the list of counties and/or partial counties where the Blue Shield Bronze PPO is offered.

What is the difference between a PPO and an EPO?

EPOS (exclusive provider organizations) combine features of HMOs and PPOs. They have exclusive networks like HMOs do, which means they are usually less expensive than PPOs. But as with PPOs, you'll be able to make your own appointments with specialists.

What is the best medical insurance in California?

In California, the best health insurance rates are through L.A. Care and Molina. A Silver plan from L.A. Care averages $330 per month, and one from Molina plan averages $384. That's much cheaper than the statewide average of $541 for a Silver plan.

Why is health insurance so expensive in California?

The more consolidated the market, the less competitive it is, and the higher the prices. The Petris Center researchers describe California's insurer, hospital, and specialty physician markets as highly concentrated in 2019, based on an index that is used to measure market concentration.

What kind of insurance is Covered California?

Covered California is a free service that connects Californians with brand-name health insurance under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. It's the only place where you can get financial help when you buy health insurance from well-known companies.

How does Blue Shield of California make money?

Against revenues of $24.1 billion (from premiums and other sources), Blue Shield of California spent $22.1 billion (or 92 percent) on medical care in claims paid to healthcare facilities and providers, and the company reported a net loss of $910 million for 2022.

What states are HCSC?

HCSC is the largest customer-owned health insurer in the United States, operating through our Plans in Illinois, Montana, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas.

What is EPO insurance?

A managed care plan where services are covered only if you go to doctors, specialists, or hospitals in the plan's network (except in an emergency).