Blue Cross Arizona - All Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Arizona plans
Blue Cross Arizona
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona Plans
Welcome to Michael Higgins Insurance at www.HigginsCompanies.com. We are an independent health insurance agency with more than 30 years in the 
Arizona health insurance industry. Michael Higgins Insurance, LLC specializes in high quality, affordable medical insurance plans by Blue Cross Arizona for individuals, families, and small and large businesses.
Blue Cross Arizona
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona
Individual/Family Plans
With the continual rise in medical costs, being uninsured can have catastrophic consequences. Don’t go another day without some type of family or individual Arizona health insurance coverage. Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona offers four health insurance plans at reasonable prices for families and individuals.
BlueEssential Plus PPO
This is a lower premium PPO from Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona with limited co-pays.
A few highlights of this plan:
- Seven deductible levels from $250 -$10,000
- Consumers have lower out of pocket expenses with covered services from in-network providers
- In-network deductibles accumulate separately from out-of-network deductibles
- Co-insurance: BCBSAZ 60% / 40% of allowed amount for most covered services after meeting your deductible.
- Consumer’s out-of-pocket coinsurance maximum per calendar year is $4000 per member for in-network and $8000 per year for out-of-network
-For specialists: 60% / 40% after you meet your deductible
-Preventive services in the provider’s office for certain screening services, immunizations, routine physicals, mammography, 60% / 40%. BCBS will pay a maximum of $1000 for preventative care per member per calendar year
-RX plan Generic $15, Brand Name $125.
-Maternity- complications ONLY. Covers 60% /40% after meeting your deductible.
-For ambulance services the 60%/40% deductible is waived.
-See limitations and exclusions
There is no longer a lifetime maximum benefit per member effective 10/01/2010. Also effective on this date is the new BlueEssential Plus plan that offers lower premiums for non-smokers, and 100% coverage for preventive services like physicals and well-woman check-ups. Lab work is no longer covered 100%, and is now subject to the annual deductible.
Click Here for the Blue Essential Plus benefits outline.
BlueOptimum Plus PPO
This is a Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona PPO plan.
A few highlights of this plan:
-There are seven deductible levels from $250 – $10,000
- Consumers pay lower out of pocket expenses with covered services from in-network providers. Over 80% of all physicians are in-network, and over 90% of hospitals in Arizona.
- In-network deductibles accumulate separately from out-of-network deductibles
- Co-insurance: BCBSAZ pays 80%, you will pay 20% of allowed amount for most covered services after meeting your deductible.
-Out-of-pocket coinsurance maximum per calendar year is $2500 per member for in-network and $5000 per year for out-of-network
-Copay of in-network physicians (PCP) is $25. For specialists the copay is $50.
-Preventive services in the provider’s office for certain screening services, immunizations, routine physicals, mammography, are $25 or $50 per day, per member. Lab work is no longer covered 100%, and is now subject to the annual deductible.
-Vision exams are $25.00 for one routine visit per calendar year
-There is a separate Rx deductible
-Laboratory services in the physician’s office are no longer covered 100% and are subject to the deductible. Deductibles and coinsurance (80%/20%) apply to services rendered by pathologists.
-For ambulance services the 80%/20% deductible is waived.
-See limitations and exclusions
-Pre-existing conditions may have waiting periods if no prior coverage was in effect. Blue Cross of Arizona will give credit toward the eleven month waiting period equal to the amount of time currently covered. There is no longer a lifetime benefit limit effective 10/01/2010.
Click Here for the Blue Optimum Plus benefits outline.
BluePortfolio HSA Plus
Blue Cross Arizona
The Blue Portfolio HSA Plus plan is the only HSA qualified health insurance policy that Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Arizona offers to individuals and families.
This is a high-deductible Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona PPO plan. It meets the federal requirements to allow consumers to use a health savings account (HSA), giving them more control over their health care expenses. Applicant must satisfy certain criteria to be eligible to open and/or contribute to a health savings account. Just about everyone qualifies.
A few highlights of this plan:
- There are three choices for deductibles: $1,750, $3,000 and $5,500.
- You have the flexibility to use out-of-network providers for most services, if you wish, but using Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona Preferred (PPO) providers, your out-of-pockets will be lower.
- For in-network preventative care, the deductible is waived, except for lab work which is subject to the deductible.
- Through BlueCard PPO network providers, consumers still receive PPO benefits and savings when they are outside Arizona.
- Please note maternity care is NOT covered, except for complications of pregnancy. The new Blue Portfolio Plus plan started 10/01/2010 and offers lower premiums for non-smokers.
Click Here for the Blue Portfolio Plus benefits outline.
BlueValue Plus
This is a high deductible, but lower premium Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona PPO plan.
A few highlights of this plan:
- Consumers have a choice of four deductibles: $1,500, $2,500, $5,000 and $10,000, 70%-30% co-insurance.
- Consumers are permitted to use out-of-network providers for most services, but lower out-of-pocket costs prevail when Preferred (PPO) providers are used.
- For in-network preventative care, the deductible is always waived, except for lab work which is subject to the annual deductible.
- The convenience of BlueCard PPO network providers outside of Arizona gives consumers PPO benefits and savings.
- Important to note that maternity care is NOT covered, except for complications of pregnancy. BlueValue Plus starts 10/01/2010, lower premiums for non-smokers.
Click Here for the Blue Value Plus benefits outline.
Deductibles ranging from $250-$10,000
This is an 80/20 plan with a $4000 maximum out of pocket, excluding deductible. Your maximum financial exposure, (worst case scenario,) in any given year will be your deductible plus $4000.
$30 to see a Primary Care Physician, (PCP) Deductible does not need to be met. You pay the, “allowed amount,” to see an in-network specialist.
$60 for Urgent Care facilities, deductible does not apply.
Preventive services such as annual physical covered at 100%, no deductible, except for lab work, the deductible does apply.
Prescriptions are $15 for generic and $125 for brand name, no deductible.
Click Here for the Blue Basic Plus benefits outline.
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona Employer Group Plans
Michael Higgins Insurance offers employer groups many flexible Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona choices that include PPO, HSA, and HMO plans. Dual option plans that can accommodate practically any employer’s budget are also available. Dual options allow employers to offer two levels of plans providing more choice for employees. Employees can choose from a lower-premium, higher-deductible plan, or purchase a higher-premium, lower-deductible plan if it better suits their needs. Employer groups can offer as dual options any two BluePreferred, BluePreferred Basic, HMO, or BluePreferred Saver HSA plans. Plans with the same deductible may not be offered as a dual option. Below are brief descriptions of the Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona Employer Group Plans.
Please contact Mike Higgins with any questions at (602) 405-8769 or send an e-mail: Mike Higgins
BluePreferred PPO for Groups
This is a Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) plan.
There are three separate standalone plans with varying deductible and coinsurance options that groups may choose.
Two of these plans have coverage for most PPO office visits without having to meet the annual deductible. This feature allows members to only pay a copay when visiting not only their primary care physician (PCP), but also most specialists.
A few highlights of these plans:
- There is no prescription medication formulary. Most medications are covered in a multi-tier benefit arrangement.
- Through the BlueCard program members may receive medical care from PPO providers in other states.
- The BlueCard Worldwide network allows members to locate international providers when traveling outside the US.
Click Here to compare all Group PPO plans offered by BCBSAZ.
BluePreferred HSA Plus for Groups
This high-deductible Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona PPO group plan meets the federal requirements allowing consumers to use a health savings account (HSA). An HSA gives members more control over their health care expenses. Applicants must satisfy certain criteria to be eligible to open and/or contribute to a health savings account., though just about everyone qualifies. There are five options to choose from.
A few highlights of these plans:
- This plan has many of the same features as other BluePreferred plans.
- There is an extensive provider network of doctors and specialists, the same network as all other BCBSAZ plans, (except HMO.)
- There is flexibility in choosing network and out-of-network providers.
Click Here to compare the Group HSA plans offered by BCBSAZ.
BlueSelect HMO Plus for Groups
This is a Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) plan.
A few highlights of these plans:
- Members are not required to select a Primary Care Physician (PCP).
- Members are not required to get a referral for visits to network specialists.
- Co-pays for visits to specialists are higher than for a Primary Care Physician.
- There is no prescription medication formulary. Most medications are covered in a multi-tier benefit.
- Urgent care coverage through BlueCard Access is available throughout most of the United States.
Click Here for a benefits outline of the HMO plan.
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona Medicare Supplement Plans
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona offers Medicare supplement coverage. Although all Medicare supplement coverage has been standardized by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services into twelve different plan, with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona Medicare supplement plans, you will receive not only competitive plan rates from a local company, but also the extra customer service from Michael Higgins Insurance that can make such a difference.
Senior Security
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona Plans A, C and F Senior Security Plans offer the most flexibility and choice for the consumer.
A few highlights of all these plans:
-You will have the ability to choose any physician or hospital.
-There is no waiting period for pre-existing conditions, although you may be subject to medical underwriting. (Those turning 65 are not subject to underwriting in most cases.)
Senior Preferred Medicare Select
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona Plans Senior Preferred Medicare Select is only available in Maricopa, Pima and Pinal counties.
Only Plan C is offered.
A few highlights of this plan:
- This plan offers lower premiums.
- You are required to use physicians and hospitals in the Senior Preferred provider network except in the case of emergencies.
- Although there is no waiting period for pre-existing conditions, you may be subject to medical underwriting.
- You are not required to have a primary care doctor direct your care.
- You have the flexibility to choose any Senior Preferred physician or specialist.
Click Here for a comparison of Medicare Supplement plans offered by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Arizona.
At Michael Higgins Insurance,LLC, our goal is to help consumers have informed decisions about their health coverage. We encourage our visitors to use this information for a more educated research process.
Please contact Mike Higgins with any questions at (602) 405-8769 or send an e-mail: info@higginscompanies.com.