First and foremost, it is important that you read your 2018 plan information guide each year and make yourself aware of any changes that might affect you and your family. Blue Shield of California is making a significant change to their Individual and Family PPO plans. This change could have a major affect to you and your family.
Beginning in 2018, PPO plans will assess a separate deductible and maximum out of pocket cost for in-network and out-of-network doctors. For instance if you pay your full deductible amount with an in-network doctor and then you go to an out-of-network doctor you will be required to pay the full deductible and maximum out of pocket cost again as outlined within your plan. There is no cross over between the two options anymore (meaning your one deductible does not erode the other deductible) .
In addition Blue Shield is increasing deductible’s and/or out-of-pocket maximum for their PPO plans. There are other changes that may impact you and your family but these are just a couple of the major changes we are seeing on the PPO plans. Integrity Now Insurance Brokers and Blue Shield strongly encourage you and your family to only go to in-network doctors and urgent care facilities to avoid paying to much.