Is Blue Shield Promise PPO or HMO?

Asked by: Prof. Juston Rice  |  Last update: February 17, 2025
Score: 4.3/5 (12 votes)

As a mixed-model health maintenance organization (HMO), Blue Shield Promise contracts directly with individual physicians and other healthcare provider types under flexible reimbursement arrangements and with independent physician associations (IPAs) and medical groups on a capitated basis.

Is Blue Shield Promise an HMO?

Promise Health Plan is a health maintenance organization (HMO) owned and operated by Blue Shield of California.

How do I know if my Blue Cross Blue Shield is PPO or HMO?

Your plan type

If you forget or aren't sure what type of health insurance plan you have (like an HMO or PPO), you can find out on your BCBS ID card. If you have an HMO, your card may also list the physician or group you've selected for primary care.

What is the difference between Blue Shield PPO and HMO?

An HMO plan has lower costs because you agree to use a particular network of providers. PPO plans typically have higher monthly premiums and higher out-of-pocket costs, but give you access to a larger network of doctors.

How do I know if my insurance card is HMO or PPO?

Plan Type Your card might have a label like HMO or PPO to describe the type of plan you have. These labels tell you what type of network your plan has, so you can see which providers are “in-network” for you.

Compare Kaiser HMO vs Blueshield PPO- health insurance- what are advantages and dissadvantages

44 related questions found

Which insurance is HMO?

A type of health insurance plan that usually limits coverage to care from doctors who work for or contract with the HMO. It generally won't cover out-of-network care except in an emergency. An HMO may require you to live or work in its service area to be eligible for coverage.

Do doctors prefer HMO or PPO?

HMO plans might involve more bureaucracy and can limit doctors' ability to practice medicine as they see fit due to stricter guidelines on treatment protocols. So just as with patients, providers who prefer a greater degree of flexibility tend to prefer PPO plans.

Is blue shield the same as blue cross blue shield?

In 1982, Blue Shield merged with The Blue Cross Association to form the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association (BCBS). Prior to 1986, organizations administering BCBS were tax exempt under 501(c)(4) as social welfare plans.

What is a disadvantage of a PPO plan?

In general, PPO plans tend to be more expensive than an HMO plan. Your monthly premium will be higher and you will have to meet your deductible before your health insurer starts paying. You will also have to pay more out-of-pocket if you visit a provider who is not part of your PPO network.

What are the two most common health insurance plans?

Before choosing a health insurance policy for yourself, your family, or your employees, you must know what types are available. Some popular health insurance policy options are: Preferred provider organization (PPO) plans. Health maintenance organization (HMO) plans.

What is Blue Cross Blue Shield PPO called?

BlueCard® PPO. A national program that offers members traveling or living outside of their BCBS Plan's area the PPO (preferred provider organization) level of benefits when they obtain services from a physician or hospital designated as a PPO provider. BlueCard® PPO Member. Carries an ID card with this identifier on it ...

What are three disadvantages of HMO?

Disadvantages
  • If you need specialized care, you will need a referral from your primary care physician to an in-network provider.
  • Must see in-network providers for care-less flexibility than a PPO plan.

Can you have HMO and PPO at the same time?

Having dual coverage is perfectly legal. But you must coordinate your two policies correctly to ensure you cover your medical expenses compliantly.

Is Blue Shield access an HMO?

The Access+® network is our broadest HMO network; employers can choose from a wide range of premium and copayment options.

Is Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas an HMO or PPO?

HMO Plans. Just like 2021, and continuing an industry-wide trend (no major carriers offer PPO plans in Texas), BCBSTX only offers HMO plans in 2022. However, Blue Advantage Plus plans offer some out of network benefits, unlike traditional HMOs.

Does Blue Cross Blue Shield PPO cover international travel?

If you need medical care outside the U.S, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands you can rest assured that the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Service Benefit Plan offers worldwide coverage. Through the Overseas Assistance Center, you're covered when working or traveling overseas.

How do I tell if I have PPO or HMO?

However, if you've already got a health plan and don't know which plan type you have, you can check your insurance card or contact your insurance provider directly. If you have an online account through your provider that allows you to access plan details, you can also start there.

Why do people not like HMO plans?

Cons of HMO Plans

Referrals Needed for Specialists: To see a specialist, you must first get a referral from your primary care doctor, which can delay care. Less Flexibility: If you often need care outside your network or prefer more choice in doctors, an HMO may feel restrictive compared to a PPO plan.

Who is PPO insurance good for?

With PPO insurance, you'll pay less out of pocket when you get care within that network. You can still see an out-of-network provider, but you'll get the most coverage when you stay within the PPO network. PPO health plans may be a good fit for someone who lives in 2 different states or travels often within the U.S.

What is better, Blue Shield or Anthem Blue Cross?

What we're seeing is that when comparing apples and apples, the Blue Shield of California formulary is broader than Anthem Blue Cross for Individual/Family and maybe even Small Business. Anthem made the move to a more limited drug list for their group business which was unprecedented.

What happened to Blue Cross Blue Shield?

Court issues preliminary approval of $2.8 billion Blue Cross Blue Shield provider settlement. A $2.8 billion settlement from Blue Cross Blue Shield to health care providers resolving a 12-year antitrust lawsuit received preliminary approval yesterday from the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Alabama.

Why choose Blue Cross Blue Shield?

In every ZIP Code, Blue Cross and Blue Shield companies offer a personalized approach to health care based on the needs of the communities where their members live and work. They work closely with hospitals and doctors in the communities they serve to provide quality, affordable health care.

Is Blue Shield PPO better than HMO?

HMO plans are generally less expensive than PPO plans, with lower monthly payments, making them ideal if your favorite doctors are already in the network, or if you receive most of your care close to home.

Why would a person choose PPO over an HMO?

A PPO plan provides more flexibility in choosing your health care providers, but it may cost more than an HMO. Key areas to remember: Your maximum copay or coinsurance is less when you stay in network for services.

What are three disadvantages of a PPO?

Disadvantages
  • Higher monthly premium.
  • Higher out of pocket expenses.
  • Must monitor in-network vs out-of network to control cost.