Blue Cross Blue Shield - Basic Facts

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas helps potentialThere are also short-term insurance plans and other
members to understand their health coverage, allowingpolicies that are provided in one-year increments. Many
them to make the best decision that will benefit themplans offer other services in addition to medical
and their family. There are a lot of factors to consider,coverage. These may include prescription drug
like the type of health coverage and the types ofcoverage, dental coverage and vision coverage.
products. Knowing this will help understand what isThese are not automatically included.
covered in each type of coverage and find the rightThere are three common types of health plans. They
plan for you. Many who receive health coverageare Health Maintenance Organizations, Preferred
choose individual health coverage for a number ofProvider Organization plans and Consumer Directed
reasons. Typically, people who choose individual healthHealth Plans. The Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas
coverage are part time workers, self-employed, inprovides all of these plans. Health Maintenance
between jobs, recent college graduates or earlyOrganizations provide comprehensive health care
retirees.coverage through a network of health care providers,
Before choosing a health insurance plan, you shouldincluding hospitals and doctors. The Preferred Provider
have a general idea of what you are looking for. YouOrganization is a health plan that provides services at
can find this information by assessing your needs. Bluediscounted prices. These prices are available for
Cross Blue Shield of Texas has a wide variety ofmembers who use network health care providers.
plans. Some are limited and only cover specificMembers can pay more for services outside of the
services such as hospitalization-only. However, somePPO network.
insurance plans cover a much wider range of services.