California health insurance - Group Health - Benefits

Anthem California Blue Cross Group Benefits

Anthem Blue Cross is one of the dominant carriers on the California market for Group health benefits and that has been the case for decades now.

They have consistently led the market with progressive changes that other carriers followed.

In fact, it's been a game of catch up for a while now. Let's look at the core options that Anthem offers small groups.

Employee Elect for Anthem Blue Cross

This was a game changer. Employee Elect was (and is) Anthem's option that allows a company to offer almost all of Anthem's Small Group plans to each employee (HMO, PPO, or HSA).

They combined this with a funding ability to fix a company's contribution to either a fixed dollar amount per employee or a percentage of a particular plan or the plan of choice. This was a tremendous level of flexibility for the Small Group market that no one offered until then. It's the best of both worlds.

The employees can choose according to their needs and employers can lock in a budget. Employees would pay the difference above what the employer pays if they choose a richer plan. We can create a proposal which will show each employee's contribution by plan.

Anthem Blue Cross Networks

Anthem has one of the largest PPO networks in the State.

They have over 40,000 providers in the PPO network network and 400 hospitals. Their HMO network is roughly half that size and more concentrated in more populous areas. You

can research their providers networks here.

If you're on an Anthem Group PPO plan, you can use the Blue Card network which extends your benefits to BCBS providers in other States. This is great for companies that have employees who live outside of California or travel often.

Quote Blue Cross Anthem Group Benefits for California

Participation

EmployeeElect Portfolio: The standard group participation requirement in the employer's Blue Cross Small Group Health Plan is a minimum of 75% of the eligible employees. BeneFits Portfolio: A minimum of 60% of the eligible employees are required to enroll in the employer's Blue Cross Small Group plan.

Required Group Size

1-100

Employer Contribution

Employers must contribute either: Traditional Option - A minimum of 50% of the employee's monthly health premium or Fixed Dollar Option - Any fixed dollar amount $100 or greater (in $5 increments) per employee per month for employee's health premium or Percentage & Plan Option - A minimum of 50% toward a specific plan, chosen by the employer. It is NOT available for the Basic PPO Plan.

Kaiser Split Carrier Participation

75% of eligibles must enroll with Blue Cross. Waivers required for Kaiser enrollees but will count as eligibles towards participation requirements. As long as 75% participation is met, group may choose any or all EmployeeElect plans. If selecting "EmployeeChoice", waivers for Kaiser enrollees are considered valid waivers & don't count towards participation requirements. Minimum of 5 must enroll. (Applies only to EmployeeChoice program.) For BeneFits program, 60% participation required.

Participation with Carriers Other Than Kaiser

Only allowed with EmployeeChoice product. Requires 75% participation with minimum of 5 enrolled.

Cal-COBRA/COBRA Maximum

No maximum. 10% premium load for CAL-COBRA employees. Groups may charge a 2% administration fee for Federal COBRA.

Out of Area/State Maximum

49% Maximum

Composite Rates

Not Available for medical. Composite Life program is available.

NCQA

Excellent

Domestic Partners

Affidavit or equivalent document required for opposite sex domestic partners under 62 years of age.

Administrative Fees

No

Product Combinations

EmployeeElect Portfolio: Employers have the option of selecting "all plans" for their employees, or designating specific plan options. (Note: Power SelectHMO Plan cannot be offered along with any other HMO plan.)

1099 Contractors

No

You can run your Anthem Group Health Plan Quote here to view rates and plans side by side from the major carriers...Free.

Again, there is absolutely no cost to you for our services. Call 800-320-6269 Today!