More about Blue Cross of California HMO Plans

Blue Cross of California Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) Plans cover more of the costs of your health care needs than any other plan. With an HMO, you choose a Participating Medical Group (PMG) or Independent Practice Association (IPA) from the Blue Cross HMO Network provided in your directory. At that time, you select a doctor within the group to serve as your Primary Care Physician (PCP); you can choose a different Primary Care Physician for each family member covered by your plan.

When you receive health care services through your Primary Care Physician, your HMO plan will cover the cost; when you select services outside of your PCP you will be responsible for fees. Your PCP will coordinate all of your health care needs, either treating you, or referring you to a specialist.

The Blue Cross HMO Plans were awarded a ýcommendableý rating from the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA). This rating is awarded to managed care organization plans that deliver the highest quality care and service. NCQU is an independent, not-for-profit organization that assesses managed care organizations to assist consumers in making the best health care decisions.

As a member of Blue Cross of California HMO, you get reduced out-of-pocket costs, thorough health care coverage, and unlimited lifetime benefits for covered services, minimum co pays for office visits, self-referral option for OB/GYN, Blue Cross DirectAccess and Blue Cross SpeedyReferral.

Preventative Care ý Comprehensive coverage under the Blue Cross HMO plan includes physical exams by your PCP, and routine cancer screenings, such as Pap smears for cervical cancer.

Well Woman Preventative Care ý In order to help women stay healthy, all women enrolled in a Blue Cross HMO plan have the option of using their PCP or selecting another OB/GYN directly from a participating specialist, without waiting for a referral from their Primary Care Physician. If you are unsure who might be an appropriate OB/GYN, your medical group can provide you with a list of names.

Healthy Extensions ý HMO Plan members are strongly encouraged to take advantage of the healthy lifestyle resources that are offered at a discount. Healthy Extensions offers discounts on a variety of alternative health care and wellness products and services such as programs that will help you quit smoking or lose weight.