Blue Cross of California Added Benefits

When you enroll in any Blue Cross medical plan, you automatically have access to the programs and discounted services of HealthyExtensions. This program includes:

• MedCall: provides you with professional, reliable health care information by phone, toll free, any time of the day or night from a registered nurse. You will also have access to educational tapes on more than 200 health topics.
• Blue Cross Baby Connection gives you access to nurses who work with you and your doctor to create a pregnancy program around your specific needs. Nurses can help you identify potential risk factors and can provide information and educational material on how to have a safe, healthy pregnancy and early motherhood.
• Staying Healthy Preventive Care gives you comprehensive health care coverage that includes physical exams by your primary care physician, a routine cancer screening, such as mammograms, Pap tests and testing for prostate cancer.
• Living Well with Chronic Conditions: Blue Cross provides programs and activities for managing chronic conditions, including asthma, diabetes and congestive heart failure.
• Blue Cross Online Resources features health and wellness resources on a variety of topics including an education program directory for classes that promote good health, articles on a wide range of health topics, preventive health care guidelines for children, adolescents, adults and seniors.
• Well Woman Preventive Care Self-Referral for OB/GYN Care provides well woman exams that include mammograms and Pap testing. All woman enrolled in a Blue Cross HMO plan have the option to use their primary care physician or select and OB/GYN directly without a referral.
• Blue Cross Direct Access allows HMO plan members to select specialists for some services without prior authorization from their primary care physicians. Specialty services include allergy, dermatology, and ear, nose and throat.
• Diagnostic and Surgical Procedures with your PPO plan are not required to obtain preservice authorization from Blue Cross to receive most covered health care services. This includes CAT scan, MRI and other diagnostic tests, and most surgical procedures.
• Blue Cross Speedy Referral allows HMO members to be referred to specialists by their primary care physician without prior authorization from the medical group or the IPA. Specialty services include cardiology, dermatology, ear, nose and throat, endocrinology, gastroenterology, general surgery, hematology, neurology, oncology, opthamology, orthopedic surgery, podiatry, routine laboratory, routine X-ray and urology.
• Discount Programs, Healthy Extensions: Take advantage of 10% to 50% discounts offered by a variety of alternative health care and wellness products and services, including vitamins, nutrition and fitness programs, health clubs, hearing aids, eyeglasses and contacts, skin care products, educational materials and online health resources.
• Family Elect allows you to select a different plan (PPO or HMO) for each family member. Choosing different plans for different family members can help you design a program that works best for your overall family.

Out-of-State Benefits

Blue Cross of California's BlueCard gives you access to participating doctors and medical facilities throughout the U.S. at Blue Cross negotiated rates. This program will help you locate these participating providers from a roster including more than 70% of the doctors and 80% of the hospitals in the U.S.

Waiting Periods

The Blue Cross HMO plans have no waiting periods for pre-existing conditions. For PPO plans, there is a specific six-month waiting period for coverage of any condition, disease or ailment for which medical advice or treatment was recommended or received within six months preceding the effective date of coverage. If you apply for coverage within 63 days of terminating your membership with another "creditable" health care plan, then you can use your prior coverage for credit toward the six-month waiting period.

Enrollment Process

Enrollment requires the completion of a somewhat lengthy and detailed health questionnaire. You may apply online, download an application, or request a detailed plan brochure and application. A refundable deposit in the amount of the first month's premium must be included along with the completed application.

The information provided on this page is subject to change and my not be current. Check with the insurance company or your insurance agent for verification of details. The information provided is for comparison purposes only and is not legally binding. Always review the plan brochure or your policy details for complete and accurate details about this policy.