Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas -Types of Health Plans
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas offers the three most common types of health plans. The first of these plans are Health Maintenance Organizations, or HMOs. HMOs give members access to hospitals and doctors within its network, as well as contracting providers and hospitals. When members sign up for an HMO plan, they may select a primary care physician from a network of doctors. This primary care physician will be that member's first point of contact for their basic health care needs. If a specialist needs to be consulted, the primary care physician will give the member a referral for another doctor.
Preferred Provider Organization (PPOs) plans also feature a network of hospitals, doctors and specialists. Members have the option of choosing a primary care physician but are not required to. Another optional feature is receiving care from hospitals, doctors or specialists within the network or outside of the network. With this plan, members do not always need a referral in order to see a specialist. For Blue Cross Blue Shield PPO plans, premiums are generally higher than HMO plans and thus members will have to pay more money up front. When members choose a hospital or doctor in-network, their costs will be lower.
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas Consumer Driven Health Plans (CDHPs) usually involve a Health Savings Account. In order for an individual to establish a health savings account and contribute money every year to this account, they must be considered eligible. In order to be eligible, individuals must be enrolled in an HSA-qualified health insurance plan that has a high deductible. If this insurance plan uses a PPO then a primary care physician does not have to be chosen. The member has the option of receiving care from hospitals, doctors and specials inside of the network as well as outside of the network.
To compare the three health plans of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas, we will start with HMO plans. HMO plans have lower premiums and usually feature co-payments. HMO plans typically do not cover members that seek care outside of the network unless it is an emergency or it is authorized. However, with PPO and CDHP plans, members can receive care from doctors outside of the network. With PPO plans, the cost may be higher. With both PPO plans and CDHP plans, there is a higher deductible. Finally, CDHP plans require HSA-qualified plans that can be used to cover various medical expenses.
Preferred Provider Organization (PPOs) plans also feature a network of hospitals, doctors and specialists. Members have the option of choosing a primary care physician but are not required to. Another optional feature is receiving care from hospitals, doctors or specialists within the network or outside of the network. With this plan, members do not always need a referral in order to see a specialist. For Blue Cross Blue Shield PPO plans, premiums are generally higher than HMO plans and thus members will have to pay more money up front. When members choose a hospital or doctor in-network, their costs will be lower.
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas Consumer Driven Health Plans (CDHPs) usually involve a Health Savings Account. In order for an individual to establish a health savings account and contribute money every year to this account, they must be considered eligible. In order to be eligible, individuals must be enrolled in an HSA-qualified health insurance plan that has a high deductible. If this insurance plan uses a PPO then a primary care physician does not have to be chosen. The member has the option of receiving care from hospitals, doctors and specials inside of the network as well as outside of the network.
To compare the three health plans of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas, we will start with HMO plans. HMO plans have lower premiums and usually feature co-payments. HMO plans typically do not cover members that seek care outside of the network unless it is an emergency or it is authorized. However, with PPO and CDHP plans, members can receive care from doctors outside of the network. With PPO plans, the cost may be higher. With both PPO plans and CDHP plans, there is a higher deductible. Finally, CDHP plans require HSA-qualified plans that can be used to cover various medical expenses.
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