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PPO Share 500 Offers You A Lower Deductible: Less Out of Pocket Expense! |
Health care expenses can be tough on a family’s budget and researching the cost and benefits of different plant offered can reduce deductibles as well as annual out-of-pocket expenses. The PPO Share 500, offered by Blue Cross of California, can reduce the personal health cost.
A deductible of $500 per person is offered by the PPO Share 500 plan with another benefit being that once two enrolled family members reach the deductible amount, the deductible will be considered satisfied for all enrolled family members. Out-of-pocket expenses of $5,000 per person, will also be considered satisfied for all enrolled members once two enrolled members have each reached the $5,000 limit
Negotiated fees are an important part of savings for health costs, as Blue Cross negotiates with health care providers to lower standard costs. Additionally, many network providers offer discounts that can help save money before and after meeting deductibles.
Deductibles are waived for doctor’s visits, with a copay of 30 percent of the negotiated fees. Additionally, charges for professional services such as X-rays, blood work and anesthesia, will be 30 percent of all negotiated fees. Hospital charges are also set at 30 percent of negotiated fees.
While there is no additional charge for Ambulatory Surgical Centers or medical emergencies, there is an additional $500 admission charge at participating hospitals for inpatient stays or outpatient surgery or infusion therapy. There is no additional charge for preferred participating centers.
Preventive medical care can help stave off potential medical problems and annual physicals cost just 30 percent of the negotiated fee, and the deductible is waived. It is also waived for visits to the Health Check Centers, which have a basic cost of $25 for a basic exam and $75 for a premium screening physical.
Routine annual exams such as a mammogram, Pap tests or PSA, ordered by a physician are only 30 percent of the negotiated fee. Well Child exams are 40 percent of the fee with the deductible waived.
The cost of prescription drugs also seems to be continually rising, with generic drug costs considerable lower than brand-name drugs. Blue Cross formulary drugs will cost $10 for generic prescription drugs. Name-brand drugs have a $250 deductible, which is considered satisfied once two enrolled members meet the mandatory deductible and will then have a $30 copay for each prescription.
If a brand-name drug is chosen when a generic equivalent is available, enrolled members will be responsible for the $30 copay as well as the difference between the cost of the generic drug and the cost of the name-brand drug. These costs will be charged even if the doctor writes the prescription as name brand only, or writes it as no substation. For injectable prescriptions, except insulin, there is a 30 percent cost of negotiated costs.
With the different plans being offered by Blue Cross of California, the PPO Share 500 offers the lowest deductibles as well as the lowest out-of-pocket expenses. However, regardless of the plan you choose, additional costs will be realized if doctors and hospitals outside the network plan are used.
Learn more at: www.baahealth.com
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