What is the difference between Blue Shield Access+ and Blue Shield trio?
Asked by: Pamela Abbott | Last update: December 8, 2025Score: 4.7/5 (53 votes)
What is a Blue Shield Trio plan?
Our Trio HMO plans are designed to limit your costs while giving you access to a quality network of local doctors and hospitals – including Dignity Health, Hoag Memorial, Good Samaritan, John Muir, Loma Linda, Providence, Scripps, St. Joseph, St.
What is Blue Shield access?
Under the Blue Shield of California Access+ HMO plan, you must receive all of your care from the Blue Shield Access+ HMO network of contracted medical groups and hospitals. You select a primary care physician within the Access+ HMO network.
Are there different Blue Cross Blue Shields?
Blue Cross Blue Shield Association, also known as BCBS, BCBSA, or The Blues, is a United States–based federation with 33 independent and locally operated BCBSA companies that provide health insurance to more than 115 million people in the U.S. as of 2022.
What is the difference between Blue Cross Blue Shield PPO and 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.
🔥 Blue Shield Trio HMO Review: Pros and Cons
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.
How do I know if I have an HMO or PPO blue cross blue shield?
4. 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 Trio and Access+?
The Blue Shield Access+ HMO plan offers the full Blue Shield HMO network. You can choose any primary care physician you wish that is in the Blue Shield Access+ HMO network. The Blue Shield Trio HMO offers the same plan benefits, only there is a narrowed provider network.
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.
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.
What is Blue Cross Blue Shield open access?
Your Open Access PPO plan does not require the use of a Blue Cross and Blue Shield network provider for coverage. Your benefit levels are the same if you use a network or non-network provider. You may seek care from any providers nationwide that accept Medicare and agree to submit claims to us.
How much does a CT scan cost with Blue Cross Blue Shield?
How much does a CT scan cost with Blue Cross Blue Shield? Insurers can decide to cover a CT scan based on a patient's condition, where the scan takes place and how many scans are needed. You can expect Blue Cross Blue Shield to pick up some of the cost, leaving you to pay between $400 and $700.
What is the difference between PPO and open access?
Some POS plans require referrals from this PCP to see specialists, but others are “open access,” meaning that patients do not need referrals. Both EPOs and PPOs do not require members to choose a PCP, and they don't require referrals to see specialists.
Why is Blue Shield Trio so cheap?
The Trio HMO keeps your costs down because Blue Shield partners with an accountable care organization (ACO). An ACO is a group of providers that coordinate your care to give you better treatment and reduce your costs. With Trio HMO, you have low copays, no deductibles, and almost no claim forms.
What does trio cover?
Simparica Trio is the first monthly chewable to protect dogs against heartworm disease, 6 types of ticks, fleas, roundworms and hookworms, all in only one monthly chewable.
What is the largest Blue Cross Blue Shield plan?
Elevance Health (formerly Anthem)
Elevance Health boasts a network of 1.7 million doctors and hospitals in 14 states and is the largest for-profit managed health care company in the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association.
Is Blue Cross Blue Shield accepted in other countries?
As a Blue Cross and Blue Shield member, you take your healthcare benefits with you when you are abroad. Through the Blue Cross Blue Shield Global Core program, you have access to doctors and hospitals around the world.
How do I check what insurance I have?
HealthCare.gov, is a portal for finding information about your health insurance options. You can also contact HealthCare.gov at 1-800-318-2596 or go to https://www.healthcare.gov/contact-us/. If you have Medicare or Medicaid, visit the Medicare Web site or call the Medicare Help Line at 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227).
Does my health insurance cover me when I travel internationally?
Generally, most domestic health insurance policies are not accepted abroad, so there is a benefit to purchasing travel medical insurance as a supplement to your health insurance coverage. The travel medical coverage is only valid while you're traveling.
What is the Blue Shield Trio plan?
With Trio, you have access to a specially selected network of doctors, hospitals, and specialists who are committed to working together to deliver a better healthcare experience. You and your dependents must live or work in the Trio HMO plan service area to be eligible for coverage.
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 all Blue Cross Blue Shield the same?
Blue Cross Blue Shield is NOT a Single Health Insurance Company. Rather, There are 36 Different Blue Cross Blue Shield Companies that are Part of as Association. Anthem is the Largest of all the Blue Cross Companies.
Is Blue Shield PPO or HMO better?
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.
Does Blue Cross Blue Shield cover hospital stays?
Coverage for unlimited inpatient hospital care days is provided to members under both individual and Medicare Plus Blue Group PPO plans. For individuals the member's cost sharing and coverage conditions are determined by Blue Cross. For groups, the group determines the member's cost sharing and coverage conditions.
What are three disadvantages of HMO?
- 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.