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There are many policy options and there is a plan available no matter how much coverage you may want.Īnthem Blue Cross offers HMO, PPO, EPO, and a Health Savings Account (HSA) plans for small groups, large groups, and seniors. Anthem has been a part of California’s health exchange, Covered California, since the start of Obamacare in 2014. With over 8 million members just in California, Anthem Blue Cross provides coverage for more Californians than any other carrier in the state. Anthem is also the second-largest medical insurance provider in the United States by total members, with over 40 million lives covered. In California Anthem Blue Cross is the trade name of Blue Cross of California. Here is an overview of each provider: Anthem Blue Cross The complaints include difficulty in getting medical procedures approved, coverage denials, and limited PPO choices. Nationally, customers have rated various Blue Cross Blue Shield companies less than 3.5 stars on Consumer Affairs. When it comes to the availability of Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield of California through Covered California, both are included in the state’s health exchange program and both offer affordable individual plans. The big difference is, as we’ve noted, the network. However, the rates tend to be about the same. Depending on your region, the cheapest California health plan might be offered by Anthem Blue Cross or by Blue Shield of California. With these two health insurance California competitors, their premiums tend to be very comparable. Regarding Stanford, Anthem offers coverage through the hospital but not the medical group. “Blue Shield of California has Sutter in their network. While Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield of California do compete on many levels in California, the deciding factor for most members is usually their available networks.Īs an article at website illustrates, They have the most volume of health insurance applications and also have the most members.” In California, Anthem Blue Cross is the biggest health insurance carrier. Both insurance companies have large networks and very good doctors.
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Anthem Blue Cross is a for profit company in California, and Blue Shield is a non-profit. In most other states, they are the same company and formed an association, the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association. “ In California, Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield are actually different companies and are competitors. For example, according to their website, Anthem Blue Cross is the trade name of Blue Cross of California. The trade names for the Blue Cross Blue Shield companies vary in certain states. And this is partially true and partially the cause of much confusion, especially for California residents. For many people, Anthem Blue Cross and Anthem Blue Shield are simply one company.
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