Premera Blue Cross: Private Insurance Option For You?

Premera Blue Cross is a not-for-profit health insurance company based in Washington State, United States. It has been operating since 1945 and currently provides health insurance and related services to around 2 million people. Premera offers a range of health plans, including the High PPO Plan, the Standard PPO Plan, and the HMO Plan, each with varying levels of coverage, deductibles, and out-of-pocket costs. The company also provides benefits such as massage, chiropractic, and acupuncture visits, as well as access to a large network of healthcare providers, hospitals, and pharmacies. With its history, comprehensive plans, and focus on customer service, Premera Blue Cross presents itself as a significant player in the private health insurance sector.

Premera Blue Cross is a not-for-profit health insurance company

Premera was founded as Washington Hospital Service in 1933 and began operating in Alaska in 1957. In 1969, the company changed its name to Blue Cross of Washington and Alaska. In June 1998, Blue Cross of Washington and Alaska merged with Spokane's Medical Service Corporation, and the combined entity was named Premera Blue Cross.

Premera has a long history in the healthcare industry, providing health plans to school employees across Washington State since 1962. The company is committed to serving its customers and offers a range of health insurance options tailored to meet the needs of individuals, families, and school employees.

In 2002, Premera's executives expressed their intention to convert the company from a non-profit to a for-profit joint-stock company. However, after a five-year process, the request was officially ended in March 2007, and Premera remained a not-for-profit entity.

Premera Blue Cross is dedicated to supporting its community during times of crisis. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, the company offered advance payments of up to $100 million to healthcare providers. Additionally, during the 2009 H1N1 vaccine rollout, Premera waived deductibles or co-pays for its fully insured members, demonstrating its commitment to making healthcare more accessible.

It is based in Mountlake Terrace, Washington, and operates in Alaska

Premera Blue Cross is headquartered in Mountlake Terrace, Washington and has been operating in the state since 1945. The company provides health insurance and related services to around 2 million people. In Washington, Premera Blue Cross offers health insurance plans under the Blue Cross license, excluding Clark County.

Premera has a long history in the state of Washington, dating back to its founding as Washington Hospital Service in 1933. The company's name was changed to Blue Cross of Washington and Alaska in 1969, following a merger with Spokane's Medical Service Corporation.

In addition to its presence in Washington, Premera Blue Cross also operates in Alaska, where it has been active since 1957. The company provides health insurance plans in Alaska under both the Blue Cross and Blue Shield licenses.

The company's services in Alaska are an extension of its roots in the region. Originally known as Washington Hospital Service, the company began its operations in Alaska in the same year as its founding, 1933. This early expansion beyond the state of Washington reflected the company's commitment to serving a broader community.

Premera Blue Cross's presence in Mountlake Terrace, Washington, and its operations in Alaska demonstrate its dedication to providing health insurance and related services across the country. With a long history in both regions, the company has established itself as a trusted and reliable provider of health insurance, continuously adapting to meet the evolving needs of its customers.

Premera has been running since 1945 in Washington and since 1957 in Alaska

Premera Blue Cross has a long history in the states of Washington and Alaska, dating back to 1945 and 1957, respectively. The company has deep roots in these communities and has played a significant role in shaping the healthcare landscape in the region.

In Washington, Premera was founded in 1945 as a voluntary, not-for-profit health plan by a group of local physicians and business leaders. The goal was to provide quality, affordable healthcare coverage for residents of the state. At the time, the concept of health insurance was still relatively new, and Premera helped pioneer the idea of making healthcare more accessible and affordable for individuals and families. Over the years, the company has grown and evolved, but its commitment to serving the people of Washington has remained steadfast.

Similarly, in Alaska, Premera Blue Cross has a rich history that began in 1957. The company was established to address the unique healthcare needs of Alaskans, who often faced challenges accessing quality medical care due to the state's vast geography and remote communities. Premera worked closely with local providers and communities to develop tailored solutions that met the specific needs of Alaskans.

The company's long-standing presence in these states has allowed it to develop strong relationships with local healthcare providers, communities, and policymakers. This has enabled Premera to not only provide insurance coverage but also to actively contribute to initiatives that improve the overall health and well-being of the people of Washington and Alaska.

Over the decades, Premera has adapted to changing healthcare needs and market dynamics while remaining true to its original mission. The company has expanded its range of products and services to meet the diverse needs of its customers, offering various plans, including employer-sponsored coverage, individual and family plans, Medicare Advantage plans, and Medicaid programs.

The company provides health insurance to around 2 million people

Premera Blue Cross is a health insurance company that provides coverage to around 2 million people. The company has been in operation since 1933 and currently serves customers in Washington state and Alaska. With a range of health insurance plans, Premera offers comprehensive benefits to its members, including access to a large network of healthcare providers, hospitals, and pharmacies.

The company's history began in 1933 when it was founded as Washington Hospital Service. Over the years, the company expanded and changed its name to Blue Cross of Washington and Alaska in 1969. In 1998, a merger with Spokane's Medical Service Corporation led to the adoption of the Premera Blue Cross name. Today, Premera is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association.

Premera Blue Cross offers a variety of health insurance plans tailored to meet the diverse needs of its members. These plans include the High PPO Plan, the Standard PPO Plan, and the HMO Plan. Each plan provides different levels of coverage, deductibles, and out-of-pocket costs, allowing members to choose the option that best suits their healthcare needs and budget.

The High PPO Plan, for example, offers in-network access to over 2 million providers and hospitals nationwide. It boasts features such as predictable office visit copays, low deductibles, and specialized care without referrals. The Standard PPO Plan, on the other hand, provides access to over 1.7 million unique providers and hospitals, with similar benefits to the High PPO Plan. This plan is designed for those seeking lower employee monthly premiums while maintaining predictable office visit copays.

The company's HMO Plan offers a more cost-conscious option, with in-network access to over 22,000 healthcare providers, including hospitals, urgent care clinics, and specialty care facilities. This plan stands out for its low monthly premiums and minimal out-of-pocket expenses, making it an attractive choice for those prioritizing affordability.

By offering a range of plans, Premera Blue Cross ensures that its approximately 2 million members can access the healthcare services they require while managing their financial considerations. The company's long history, commitment to non-profit status, and tailored plan options contribute to its standing as a trusted health insurance provider.

Premera offers a range of health plans, including PPO and HMO options

Premera Blue Cross is a not-for-profit health insurance company based in Washington State, United States. It offers a range of health plans, including PPO and HMO options, to its approximately 2 million members.

The Premera High PPO Plan provides in-network access to over 2 million providers and hospitals nationwide. It has a medical deductible of $750 per person or $1,875 per family, and a prescription drug deductible of $125 per person or $312 per family, which is waived for generic drugs. The out-of-pocket limit is $3,500 per person or $7,000 per family, and there are no referrals required for specialty care. This plan also includes 24 annual visits each for massage, chiropractic, and acupuncture, as well as access to 63,000 in-network pharmacies.

The Premera HMO plan, on the other hand, provides in-network access to over 22,000 healthcare providers, including 28 hospitals, urgent care clinics, primary care clinics, and specialty care clinics. There is no out-of-network coverage except for urgent and emergency care, which is covered nationwide. The medical deductible for this plan is $750 per person or $1,500 per family, and there is no prescription drug deductible. The out-of-pocket limit is the same as the High PPO plan, and referrals are required for specialty care and some specialty prescriptions. This plan also includes 24 annual visits each for massage, chiropractic, and acupuncture, and access to 1,300 in-network pharmacies in Washington.

Premera also offers a Standard PPO plan, which includes in-network access to over 1.7 million providers nationwide. The medical deductible is higher at $1,250 per person or $3,125 per family, and the prescription drug deductible is $250 per person or $750 per family, waived for generic drugs. The out-of-pocket limit is $5,000 per person or $10,000 per family. This plan offers best-in-class customer service, 24-hour virtual care, $0 preventive care, no referrals for specialty care, and 24 annual visits each for massage, chiropractic, and acupuncture. Like the High PPO plan, it provides access to 63,000 in-network pharmacies.

All three plans typically require members to live or work in the medical plan's service area to join, although school employees may have more plan options if they work in a district that crosses county lines.

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