Is CareFirst Blue Choice PPO or HMO?

Asked by: Corbin Donnelly  |  Last update: February 11, 2022
Score: 4.8/5 (24 votes)

The FCPS BlueChoice Advantage plan utilizes CareFirst's BlueChoice HMO and BluePreferred PPO provider networks, and also the national BlueCross BlueShield BlueCard PPO provider network. Members do not need referrals to see specialists. Vision benefits are provided through CareFirst's partnership with Davis Vision.

Is CareFirst BlueChoice an HMO or PPO?

Our Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) plans offer the most choice of providers. You can receive care from the PPO network of more than 55,000 providers locally and hundreds of thousands nationally. In addition, you can go out-of-network and pay slightly more. Our top plan—BluePreferred PPO Gold 500—is a PPO plan.

Is CareFirst BlueChoice an HMO?

Health Maintenance Organizations (HMO) and Regional Point of Service (POS) CareFirst's HMO plans use our BlueChoice network. Except for emergency services, if you go outside of the BlueChoice network, your medical services will not be covered.

Is Blue Choice a PPO?

The BlueChoice PPO Health Plan is a flexible plan designed to fit you and your family's ever-changing health care coverage needs. ... And the BlueChoice PPO Health Plan includes coverage for important benefits like mammograms and outpatient therapies.

What type of plan is Blue Choice?

Health Maintenance Organization (HMO)

HMO plans offer the flexibility to see any of the 44,000 participating providers in the BlueChoice network.

PPO Vs. HMO: What's the Difference and Which is Better?

24 related questions found

What is the difference between Blue Choice PPO and Blue Advantage HMO?

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.

What is the difference between PPO and Choice Plus?

The United Healthcare (UHC) Choice Plus plan is a PPO plan that allows you to see any doctor in their network – including specialists – without a referral. United Healthcare has a national network of providers; however, you may use any licensed provider you choose.

Whats better PPO or HMO?

HMO plans typically have lower monthly premiums. You can also expect to pay less out of pocket. PPOs tend to have higher monthly premiums in exchange for the flexibility to use providers both in and out of network without a referral. Out-of-pocket medical costs can also run higher with a PPO plan.

What is a Select PPO plan?

Effective January 1, 2019, the Anthem PERS Select PPO (non-Medicare) plan has been redesigned to include a value-based insurance design. The changes in design aim to improve quality and lower costs associated with health care by emphasizing primary care and introducing cost incentives to lower deductibles.

What does Select PPO mean?

PPO stands for Preferred Provider Organization. With a PPO plan, members still have access to a local network of doctors and hospitals. ... If PPO plan members do choose to go out of the PPO network, their plan premium, copay or coinsurance may be higher.

What type of plan is PPO Blue?

PPO (preferred provider organization) plans are designed for members who want more flexibility when it comes to choosing their doctors. With over 43,000 doctors and 320 hospitals in our Exclusive PPO Network, Blue Shield PPO plans can provide you with the flexibility and choice you are looking for.

Why would a person choose a PPO over an HMO?

Advantages of PPO plans

A PPO plan can be a better choice compared with an HMO if you need flexibility in which health care providers you see. More flexibility to use providers both in-network and out-of-network. You can usually visit specialists without a referral, including out-of-network specialists.

Is CareFirst the same as BCBS?

In its 80th year of service, CareFirst, an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association, is a not-for-profit health care company which, through its affiliates and subsidiaries, offers a comprehensive portfolio of health insurance products and administrative services to 3.2 million individuals and ...

Is Cigna HMO or PPO?

Cigna Health Maintenance Organization (HMO)

With a Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) health plan, you choose a primary care provider to help coordinate care.

What does HMO and PPO mean?

When it comes to health insurance, you have your choice of several plan types. ... Differences between HMO (Health Maintenance Organization) and PPO (Preferred Provider Organization) plans include network size, ability to see specialists, costs, and out-of-network coverage.

What is national PPO?

The BlueCard PPO program is the premier national Blue Cross and/or Blue Shield Preferred Provider Program that links together more than 600,000 network doctors and 6,000 network hospitals in 48 states. ... The network also includes hospitals and doctors abroad to make international travel more comforting.

What is Blue Advantage HMO?

BlueAdvantage HMO covers you anytime, anywhere, for emergency care. Simply call 911 or go immediately to the nearest emergency facility. You will be responsible for your emergency room copayment, which will be waived if you are admitted to the facility.

Is Florida Blue select a PPO?

Members who are covered under Florida Blue's BlueSelect plans will always carry a Florida Blue ID card. Please note: When reviewing member eligibility on the Wellmark site, you'll see SD Blue Select listed as the PPO network.

Is PERSCare a PPO?

As a PERS Choice or PERSCare member, you have access to care across the country through the BlueCard® PPO Program. More than 96% of hospitals and 95% of doctors in the U.S. contract with Blue Cross and Blue Shield plans.

Can I have both HMO and PPO?

Yes, you can have two health insurance plans. Having two health insurance plans is perfectly legal, and many people have multiple health insurance policies under certain circumstances.

What does UHC Choice Plus cover?

With this plan, you can use any doctor, clinic, hospital or health care facility you want. You save money when you use the national network. You also have coverage if you use out-of-network providers.

What is UHC PPO?

UnitedHealthcare Options - a Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) The Options PPO plan is a traditional health plan with copayments, coinsurance and deductibles. ... Members can choose services outside of our network, which are normally at a higher coinsurance, and/or deductible level.

What is HMO insurance?

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.

What does BCBS PPO mean?

BlueCard® PPO. A national program that offers members traveling or living outside of their Blue Cross Blue Shield 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.

What states does CareFirst cover?

Our vast network expands beyond Washington, D.C., Maryland and Northern Virginia. With National plans, you have access to more than 96% of hospitals and 95% of doctors nationwide.