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Compare Types of Health Plans

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Compare Types of Health Plans

How the Plan Works

Plan Type

Preferred Provider Organization (PPO)

Consumer-Directed

Managed Care

Short-Term/Temporary

Plan name

Alliance Select^SM
or Blue Select^®

Blue Priority HSA^SM

Blue Priority HRA^SM

Blue Choice^®

Blue Access^®

Blue Advantage^®

Short-Term Blue^SM

How does the plan work?

You can see any provider for most covered services, and visit specialists without a referral.

You can even see providers outside the network, although your out-of-pocket costs will be lowest when you use network providers.

You have a high-deductible Alliance Select or Blue Select PPO health plan that allows you to open a Health Savings Account to pay for medical expenses pre-tax.

You pay for your health care expenses out-of-pocket until you meet the deductible.

You have a high-deductible Alliance Select or Blue Select PPO health plan, and your employer funds a Health Reimbursement Arrangement to help you pay for medical expenses.

You pay for your health care expenses out-of-pocket until you meet the deductible.

You must select a primary care provider (PCP). Your out-of-pocket costs will be lowest when you see your PCP, but you can choose to see any physician for most services.

You can see any provider in the network without a referral. You don't need to select a primary care provider (PCP).

You must select a primary care provider (PCP), who will serve as the starting point for all of your health care. Except for emergency care, you'll always need to see your PCP first.

You can see any provider or visit any hospital for medical or surgical services resulting from a covered accident or illness.

Network and Coverage

Plan Name	Alliance Select or Blue Select	Blue Choice	Blue Access	Blue Advantage	Short-Term Blue
How many doctors and hospital are in the network?	The network for these plans includes 100% of hospitals and 99% of physicians in Iowa and South Dakota	These network for these plans include 99% of hospitals and 94% of physicians in Iowa			The network for these plans includes 100% of hospitals and 99% of physicians in Iowa and South Dakota
Am I covered if I see a doctor that's not in network?	Yes		No		Yes
If I travel outside of the network, what kind of coverage do I have?	You're covered by the BlueCard^® Network, with access to more than 6,000 hospitals and 700,000 doctors worldwide		You're covered for emergency care only through the BlueCard Network		You're covered for major hospital, medical, and surgical services through the BlueCard Network.
Do I need a referral to see a specialist?	No			Yes	No

Advantages and Disadvantages

Plan Name

Alliance Select or Blue Select

Blue Priority HSA

Blue Priority HRA

Blue Choice

Blue Access

Blue Advantage

Short-Term Blue

What are the advantages?

Freedom to see any doctor

You can open a Health Savings Account (HSA) to save for health care expenses pre-tax

A higher deductible typically means lower premiums

Freedom to see any doctor

You have an employer-funded Health Reimbursement Arrangement (HRA) to pay for medical expenses

A higher deductible typically means lower premiums

Freedom to see any doctor

Typically less expensive than a PPO plan

Freedom to see any doctor within the network

Typically less expensive than a PPO plan

Freedom to see any doctor

Temporary coverage for one to six months

What are the disadvantages?

Typically more expensive than other plans*

Since this is a high-deductible plan, your out-of-pocket costs may be higher, as you're responsible for your medical costs up to your deductible and your HSA may only cover a portion of these costs

You'll pay more when you see providers other than your primary care provider (PCP)

No out of network coverage, except for emergency care

No out of-network coverage, except for emergency care

Requires a referral to see a specialist

Does not cover services or supplies for the treatment of pre-existing conditions; nor does it cover services for preventive or routine health care.

* With the exception of Blue Basics^SM in Iowa and Blue Select Basics in South Dakota - which are low-cost health plans that cover the "basics." Blue Basics and Blue Select Basics are available to individuals who purchase health coverage on their own, not through an employer.

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