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Anthem Blue Cross of California Options

Approaching almost two decades dedicated to the California health insurance market, we've long been partners and followers of Blue Cross of California, now Anthem Blue Cross.  It's been an interesting ride with a carrier that grew to epitomize flexibility, strength, and market leadership.  Let's take a look at Anthem Blue Cross on the market from a behind the scenes vantage point.

First of all, in most states, Blue Cross and Blue Shield are combined into one carrier.  California is unique in that they are two separate carriers at the individual, family, Small Group, and Medicare level.  They have their own plans, rates, and are completely separate.  We won't get into the history of the split but it has resulted in greater competition which is ultimately good for the State and for California health insurance shoppers.   Speaking to brokers from other States, it's interesting to realize just how progressive our market is and a great deal of this is the result of Blue Cross of California's business practices.

We could go through a list of firsts but we'll hit some of the highlights such as the first online application for individual family health.  The first ability to offer multiple plans to employees on small group through their roll out of Employee Elect.  The first high deductible F plan Medicare Supplement.  All of these firsts were copied by the other carriers which shows Anthem's ability to see the future direction of the market.  Being an individual California health agent, our concern has always been three pronged...cost, benefits, and flexibility.  These are the three concerns that will best determine if our clients are satisfied with their health plan.  Now cost has been an issue obviously as the rates have skyrocketed over the past decade but Anthem Blue Cross has always led the way towards newer suites of plans that offered the best health plans on the market.   They continue this trend with the following plans by market:

Individual/Family:   Clear Protection, Smart Sense
Small Group:  Employee Elect with Solutions, Generic Only, and HSA plans
Medicare:  High Deductible F plan, F plan, Part D

Behind the big three mentioned above, doctor networks follow shortly after and Anthem excels here.  They have consistently had one of the largest (if not the largest) PPO and HMO networks in the State.  They also participate in the Blue Card network which allows PPO members to use BCBS providers in other States.  Inclusion of the most of the top tier hospitals and doctors makes Anthem Blue Cross one of the best choices of health coverage on the market.

In terms of underwriting on the individual/family market, they have been one of the most pragmatic underwriters.  It's usually Anthem and Blue Shield of California that will look at and approve individuals with health issues at a more reasonable rate than some other carriers.  This is a huge deal since the rates quotes are Level 1 rates and only matter if we can actually qualify for them.  In the end, the great benefit Anthem offers has been  ease of use.  We deal with membership issues day in and day out and they behave very uncharacteristically for an insurance carrier.  Making changes or correcting problems can be achieved with a simple email instead of triplicate forms spiraling into the abyss.  It's a welcomed relief and one of the reasons we recommend Anthem Blue Cross when advantageous to our clients based on price and benefit.