One of the most essential decisions you must make for yourself and your family when selecting health insurance providers is selecting their provider. By doing so, you may increase quality of life while decreasing medical costs; but not every provider offers equivalent plans, prices, extras customer support levels or ratings from previous clients’ experts, etc.
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Health Care Service Corporation (HCSC), as an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association, utilizes its renowned and popular name when conducting its business. Being a customer-owned health insurance provider also allows HCSC to be owned by policyholders rather than publicly traded firms serving over 16 Million members from 5 states (Illinois, Texas, Oklahoma New Mexico Montana).
By the end of this blog post, you will have a better understanding of HCSC health insurance plans and whether they are a good fit for you. Let’s get started!
HCSC Health Insurance Plans
HCSC offers a variety of health insurance plans to suit different needs and preferences. Here are some of the main types of plans that HCSC offers:
Employer Plans
Employer plans are health insurance plans provided to employees through their employers. Your health plan selections may also be provided by them and could even cover some or all of its premium cost alternatively, any expenses might come out of wages rather than being deducted directly.
HCSC offers employer plans in two categories: group health maintenance organization (HMO) plans and group preferred provider organization (PPO) plans.
Group HMO plans require choosing a primary care physician (PCP) from among a network of healthcare professionals who will coordinate your care. Should any specialties or additional treatments arise, your PCP must refer you. Also, group HMO plans generally offer less flexibility but cheaper premiums/deductibles compared to group PPO policies.
Group PPO plans to provide reduced prices when using in-network physicians but allows access to any doctor you want without a referral, giving more freedom over deductible and coinsurance percentage decisions. Although these plans tend to provide more options, their premiums and deductibles tend to be higher compared with HMO policies.
Some examples of employer plans that HCSC offers are:
- Blue Choice PPO: A group PPO plan that gives you access to more than 1 million providers nationwide in the Blue Cross and Blue Shield network.
- Blue Advantage HMO: A group HMO plan that gives you access to more than 70,000 providers in Illinois in the Blue Cross Community Health Plans network.
- Blue Essentials HMO: A group HMO plan that gives you access to more than 50,000 providers in Texas in the Blue Essentials network.
- Blue Preferred PPO: A group PPO plan that gives you access to more than 50,000 providers in Oklahoma in the Blue Preferred network.
- Blue Cross Community Centennial: A group HMO plan that gives you access to more than 10,000 providers in New Mexico in the Blue Cross Community Centennial network.
- Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Montana:Â A group PPO plan that gives you access to more than 6,000 providers in Montana in the Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Montana network.
Individual Plans
Individual health plans provide another option if your employer doesn’t offer employer-sponsored healthcare or you simply prefer not receiving one at work. Individual plans are purchased directly, though chances are good you might obtain an individual health plan through your state health exchange.
HCSC offers individual plans in two categories: individual HMO plans and individual PPO plans.
HMO plans designed for individuals and families purchasing their own health insurance are similar to HMO plans for groups; you will select your PCP from among a group of medical professionals and they will oversee your treatment, refer specialists as needed, and only use in-network carriers as possible for coverage unless emergencies arise; individual HMO policies often offer less flexibility yet lower premiums and deductibles than PPO policies.
Individual PPO plans, similar to group PPO plans, provide health coverage for people and families purchasing individual health insurance policies without needing an intermediary for reference purposes. Although you have more freedom in setting your deductible and coinsurance percentages with individual PPO policies than with individual HMO plans these typically feature higher premiums and deductibles.
Some examples of individual plans that HCSC offers are:
- Blue Choice Preferred Bronze PPO:Â a PPO for individuals that allows you access to the more than 1 million providers in the Blue Cross and Blue Shield network across the country. Individuals are subject to a $6,000 deductible and a $7,900 out-of-pocket maximum, while families are subject to a $12,000 deductible and a $15,800 out-of-pocket maximum.
- Blue Precision Bronze HMO:Â a personal HMO plan that grants you access to the more than 70,000 Illinois healthcare professionals included in the Blue Precision network. Individuals are subject to a $6,300 deductible and a $7,900 out-of-pocket maximum, while families are subject to a $12,600 deductible and a $15,800 out-of-pocket maximum.
- Blue Advantage Plus Bronze HMO:Â a personal HMO plan that offers you access to Texas’s Blue Advantage Plus network’s more than 50,000 healthcare professionals. Individuals are subject to a $6,000 deductible and a $7,900 out-of-pocket maximum, while families are subject to a $12,000 deductible and a $15,800 out-of-pocket maximum.
- Blue Preferred Bronze PPO:Â a personal PPO plan that grants you access to more than 50,000 Oklahoma healthcare professionals through the Blue Preferred network. Individuals are subject to a $6,000 deductible and a $7,900 out-of-pocket maximum, while families are subject to a $12,000 deductible and a $15,800 out-of-pocket maximum.
- Blue Community Bronze HMO:Â a personal HMO plan that grants you access to more than 10,000 New Mexico healthcare professionals through the Blue Community network. Individuals are subject to a $6,300 deductible and a $7,900 out-of-pocket maximum, while families are subject to a $12,600 deductible and a $15,800 out-of-pocket maximum.
- Healthy Montana Plan:Â a PPO plan for individuals that allows you access to the network of more than 6,000 healthcare professionals in Montana under the Healthy Montana Plan. For singles, the deductible is $6,500, the out-of-pocket maximum is $8,150, and for families, the deductible is $13,000, and the out-of-pocket maximum is $16,30.
Family Plans
Family plans work similarly to individual plans, but they cover more than one person. These plans can cover you, your spouse, and children under the age of 26.
HCSC offers family plans in both categories: family HMO plans and family PPO plans.
Family HMO plans cover more than one individual but functions similarly to individual HMO policies. You must select one PCP from among a selection of medical professionals in order to organize medical treatment for everyone within your family, with every member needing their PCP’s reference in order to consult a specialist or get additional treatments emergencies must always be covered within a network family HMO policies often offer less flexibility but lower premiums/deductibles than PPO policies.
Family PPO policies cover multiple people yet function similarly to individual PPO plans, providing each family member access to any physician they want without needing a referral, while saving money if only in-network specialists are used. You also have more freedom when selecting their deductible and coinsurance percentages though family PPO plans often feature higher premiums/deductibles than HMO policies.
Some examples of family plans that HCSC offers are:
- Blue Choice Preferred Silver PPO:Â a family PPO plan with access to the more than 1 million healthcare professionals in the Blue Cross and Blue Shield network nationwide. Individuals are subject to a $4,000 deductible, while families are subject to a $8,000 deductible and a $15,800 out-of-pocket maximum.
- Blue Precision Silver HMO:Â a family HMO plan that provides you access to more than 70,000 doctors and hospitals in Illinois that are a part of the Blue Precision network. For people, it has a $3,500 deductible, and a $7,900 out-of-pocket maximum, and for families, it has a $7,000 deductible and a $15,800 out-of-pocket maximum.
- Blue Advantage Plus Silver HMO:Â a family HMO plan that offers you access to Texas’s Blue Advantage Plus network’s more than 50,000 healthcare professionals. Individuals are subject to a $3,500 deductible and a $7,900 out-of-pocket maximum, while families are subject to a $7,000 deductible and a $15,800 out-of-pocket maximum.
- Blue Preferred Silver PPO:Â a family PPO plan with access to more than 50,000 Oklahoma healthcare professionals in the Blue Preferred network. Individuals are subject to a $3,500 deductible and a $7,900 out-of-pocket maximum, while families are subject to a $7,000 deductible and a $15,800 out-of-pocket maximum.
- Blue Community Silver HMO:Â a family HMO plan with access to more than 10,000 New Mexico healthcare professionals through the Blue Community network. Individuals are subject to a $3,500 deductible and a $7,900 out-of-pocket maximum, while families are subject to a $7,000 deductible and a $15,800 out-of-pocket maximum.
- Healthy Montana Plan Plus:Â a family PPO plan that allows you access to the Healthy Montana Plan Plus network’s more than 6,000 medical professionals in Montana. Individuals are subject to a $4,500 deductible, and a $8,150 out-of-pocket maximum, and families are subject to a $9,000 deductible and a $16,300 out-of-pocket maximum.
Medicaid Plans
Medicaid plans are government-run health plans that are designed for low-income individuals and families. If you qualify for Medicaid, you’ll pay a low cost or nothing at all for your health coverage.
HCSC offers Medicaid plans in four states: Illinois, Texas, Oklahoma, and New Mexico. These plans are called:
- Blue Cross Community Health Plans (BCCHP) in Illinois
- Blue Cross Community Centennial (BCCC) in New Mexico
- Blue Cross Community MMAI (Medicare-Medicaid Plan) in Illinois
- Blue Cross Community Options (BCCO) in Texas
- Blue Cross Medicare Advantage Dual Care (HMO SNP) in Oklahoma
These plans provide comprehensive healthcare services to eligible members who are enrolled in Medicaid or both Medicaid and Medicare. These services include:
- Preventive care
- Primary care
- Specialty care
- Hospital care
- Emergency care
- Prescription drugs
- Dental care
- Vision care
- Behavioral health care
- Long-term services and support
- Care coordination
Medicare Advantage Plans
Alternatives to Original Medicare include Medicare-approved health plans known as Medicare Advantage plans. These private businesses, like HCSC, provide these Medicare Part A and B plans as alternatives. Benefits offered by our plans may include Part D coverage for prescription medication costs as well as dental and vision benefits with lower out-of-pocket expenses than Original Medicare plans.
HCSC offers Medicare Advantage plans in four states: Illinois, Texas, Oklahoma, and New Mexico. These plans are called:
- Blue Cross Medicare Advantage (HMO)
- Blue Cross Medicare Advantage (PPO)
- Blue Cross Medicare Advantage Dual Care (HMO SNP)
These plans provide all the benefits of Original Medicare plus additional benefits such as:
- Annual wellness visits
- Fitness programs
- Over-the-counter items
- Transportation services
- Hearing aids
- Personal emergency response system
Medicare Supplement Plans
Medicare Supplement policies offer another solution to fill any coverage gaps found within Original Medicare. By choosing one of these plans, they may help cover some out-of-pocket medical costs including deductibles, copayments, and coinsurance payments incurred as part of medical care coverage plans like Original Medicare. Medigap plans are another name for these policies.
HCSC offers Medicare Supplement plans in five states: Illinois, Texas, Oklahoma, New Mexico, and Montana. These plans are called:
- Plan A
- Plan B
- Plan C
- Plan D
- Plan F
- Plan G
- Plan K
- Plan L
- Plan M
- Plan N
These plans provide different levels of coverage for the following benefits:
- Part A coinsurance and hospital costs
- Part B coinsurance or copayment
- Blood (first 3 pints)
- Part A hospice care coinsurance or copayment
- Skilled nursing facility care coinsurance
- Part A deductible
- Part B deductible
- Part B excess charge
- Foreign travel emergency
Medicare Part D Plans
Medicare Part D is prescription drug coverage that can supplement Original Medicare plans. Like Medicare Advantage plans, these plans are offered by private companies such as HCSC.
HCSC offers Medicare Part D plans in five states: Illinois, Texas, Oklahoma, New Mexico, and Montana. These plans are called:
- Blue Cross MedicareRx Basic (PDP)
- Blue Cross MedicareRx Value (PDP)
- Blue Cross MedicareRx Plus (PDP)
These plans provide different levels of coverage for the following benefits:
- Monthly premium
- Annual deductible
- Initial coverage limit
- Coverage gap
- Catastrophic coverage
- Formulary (list of covered drugs)
- Pharmacy network
HCSC Customer Experience
HCSC makes a great effort to provide its members with an outstanding customer experience. Prioritizing members as customer-owned businesses and investing profits back into products and services; Blue Cross and Blue Shield Network is also accessible.
Users may manage their accounts, locate physicians, compare plans, examine claims, pay bills, and access health and wellness information via the HCSC’s user-friendly website. Online resources offered by HCSC include:
- Provider Finder: A tool that helps members find in-network providers, compare costs, and read reviews.
- Blue Access for Members (BAM): A secure portal that lets members access their personal health information, benefits, claims, and more.
- Blue365: A program that offers members discounts on health and wellness products and services from leading brands.
- Blue Care Connection: A program that offers members personalized support and guidance from nurses, coaches, and other health care professionals.
- Blue Distinction Centers: A program that recognizes hospitals and providers that meet high standards of quality and safety for specific procedures and conditions.
HCSC offers its members numerous customer service options to facilitate effective interactions and access updates and information via social media channels such as Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and LinkedIn. Members may call an automated phone system number on the back of their ID cards for easier contact with representatives; utilize live chat on the website/BAM; use live chat tool on the website to contact HCSC representatives directly; utilize automated phone system number on the back or use BAM service for emailing/Sending secure message via BAM tool etc.
However, when it comes to client experience with HCSC plans there can be certain issues or drawbacks; among those is limited plan availability. Due to only being available in five states, members who relocate or travel may no longer be covered or may incur higher out-of-network provider costs; plan restrictions created by some plans add further complications. HMO plans often require referrals and prior authorization for specific operations and services, which limits member options and convenience. Network issues pose another obstacle; PPO plans have restricted provider networks that don’t contain all those they desire or require for customers’ needs.
HCSC Ratings and Reviews
HCSC has received various ratings and reviews from different sources that reflect its strengths and weaknesses as a health insurance provider. Here are some of them:
A.M. Best
A.M. Best is a credit rating organization that assesses the stability and soundness of insurance firms’ finances. HCSC has received an “A” (Excellent) rating from A.M. Best, demonstrating that it has a high capacity to fulfill its continuous commitments to policyholders.
Standard & Poors
Another credit rating company that evaluates the financial health and prospects of insurance firms is Standard & Poor’s. The AA- (Very good) rating that HCSC has received from Standard & Poor indicates that HCSC has a very good ability to pay its financial obligations.
PolicyScout
Consumers can compare and purchase health insurance plans via PolicyScout’s online marketplace. PolicyScout awarded HealthCare Service Corporation (HCSC) with an impressive rating of 3.3 out of 5, taking into consideration aspects like plan alternatives, customer service experience, financial security stability, and consumer happiness.
Benzinga
Financial media organization Benzinga provides news, analysis, and perspectives on numerous subjects – health insurance being one. In their assessment of HCSC by Benzinga they recognized its strong financial standing, expansive plan options available, healthy living initiatives in place, and value-based healthcare delivery methods as factors of importance.
Affordable Health Insurance
A website called Affordable Health Insurance offers details and evaluations of health insurance providers and packages. HCSC has a 3.3 out of 5 rating from Affordable Health Insurance based on elements such as plant diversity, high-quality customer service, network size, and member happiness.
Customer Testimonials
Customer Reviews of HealthCare Service Corporation health insurance policies represent opinions from real people who have utilized one. You may find customer endorsements of HealthCare Service Corp on numerous websites like Yelp, Google Reviews, or Consumer Affairs here are just a few samples:
• “I’ve been a member of Blue Cross Blue Shield for more than ten years, and I’ve never had a problem with them. They provide for all of my needs, and their customer service is consistently amiable and helpful.” – Jennifer from Illinois
• “Last year, I switched to Blue Cross Medicare Advantage, and I’m glad I did. All of my medicines are covered by the plan, and I also receive dental and eye coverage. The network is extensive, and the premiums are reasonable”. – Robert from Texas
• “I absolutely do not advise Blue Cross Community Health Plans. They are exceedingly challenging to work with and dispute the majority of my assertions. Additionally, they only collaborate with a few number of providers, and everything requires referrals and previous authorizations” – Maria from Illinois
• “I have been a member of Montana Blue Cross and Blue Shield for more than 20 years, and I have never experienced any issues with them. They have a large provider network and have always honored my claims promptly. They also provide excellent customer service and always respond to my inquiries”. – John from Montana
Conclusion
Customer-owned health insurer HCSC offers policies tailored to individual requirements and preferences, boasting strong financial credentials, an expansive provider network, and high member satisfaction scores. Furthermore, its members gain access to programs that promote healthy living as well as cost-effective healthcare services; yet some difficulties or drawbacks exist such as limited availability, plan restrictions, or network concerns that limit its appeal.
HCSC can be the ideal health insurance company if you prioritize customer service and are in search of cost-effective plans that best match your individual requirements and financial circumstances. You can compare HCSC against other providers or plans before making your choice.