California health insurance - Group health insurance in California - Blue Shield Group Health Insurance
Blue Shield of California Group Plans
Quote Blue Shield of California Group Plans here
Blue Shield of California has added to its strong presence in the California group health market over the past few years. Since the ACA law came into effect, Blue Shield has provided significant cost savings in many counties versus the competing carriers such as Anthem Blue Cross or Kaiser.
Now that plan benefits are standardized, cost and network dominates and Blue Shield has aggressively pursued both.
The shifting group health market and Blue Shield
We have seen a large number of groups move to Blue Shield of California in the new ACA (Affordable Care Act) landscape. Upon renewal, rates were coming in 20-30% lower than the competing main carriers. In addition to these savings on the premium side, the network of doctors and hospitals were equivalent if not better than other carriers.
Since the core plan benefits are now standardized going forward (Bronze, Silver, Gold and Platinum plans can vary by 2% up or down), this put Blue Shield in a very envious place.
The best options in Blue Shield Group Health
Blue Shield offers a breadth of plans and networks to meet any company's budget and health care needs. Blue Shield's current strengths in the group market:
- They offer PPO's, HMO's, HSA's, HRA's in most counties across California
- They offer ability to "fix" monthly budget to a dollar amount or percentage
- They offer comprehensive anciliary benefits such as dental, vision, life, POP 125's, chiro, chemical dependency, and more
- Blue Card nationwide network to BCBS providers in other States
How to quote Blue Shield of California Group Plans
The best approach for most companies to offer a range of plans to your employees and cap the employer contribution (can include dependents or not).
This has been the dominant cost saving approach for over a decade now.
We just need this information below:
- Census data - Employee date of birth or age, zip code, and dependent info
- Monthly employer budget - for full company or per employee
Once we have this information, you can expect a customized proposal with the following:
- Employee Worksheet reflecting their rates by plan and benefits
- Employer Summary level report showing total cost and employer's expected monthly cost (regardless of plan choice)
- Company Specific savings such as POP 125's, SHOP tax credits if available
- Payroll and HR savings and integration is eligible