Blue Cross of California has been serving the health care needs of Californians since 1937. Blue Cross of California, together with its branded affiliates, provides health care services to more than 6.8 million members. Offering a full continuum of product and coverage options, Blue Cross provides customers with unparalleled choice and flexibility in meeting their health plan needs. These options are continually fine-tuned to enhance access to affordable, quality health care. The Company, with its strong track record for innovation, focuses on progressive products and services designed to improve the health status of all Californians. Unique product offerings available in the individual, small group, large group, senior and Medi-Cal markets include a full range of integrated medical and specialty products.

Blue Shield of California Life & Health Insurance Company Life has grown by offering competitive insurance products including Group Term Life, Accidental Death & Dismemberment, Blue Shield of California Life & Health Insurance Company Life Vision Plan, Stop Loss and Exec-U-Med medical reimbursement plans in tandem with Blue Shield of California health plans or on a stand-alone basis . In the early 1980s, introduced their Short-Term Health products. The Option One and Option Twelve plans remain one of the leading products of their kind in California

Health Plan Definitions

Pacificare SignatureValue®
A Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) focuses on the quality of care provided to its members - with prevention and wellness as the key components of that care. Health services are accessed through contracted primary care physicians (PCPs) who know the member's medical history and individual needs; thus a partnership is formed between the member, the provider and the health plan. HMOs offer minimal paperwork and low, predictable out-of-pocket costs. Members pay a small, predetermined copayment each time they receive health care services.


PacifiCare SignaturePOS® (POS)
A Point of Service (POS) plan offers members greater flexibility and options. POS plans combine the savings of an HMO with the flexibility of a typical indemnity arrangement. If you are looking for affordability, use the in-network option of your benefit plan. If you prefer to see a doctor who is not participating in our network, choose the out-of-network option.


PacifiCare SignatureOptionsSM (PPO)
A Preferred Provider Option is a plan which offers an even wider selection of physicians to our members. These participating providers may be primary care doctors or specialists and PPO members are free to see any of them. PPO members may also visit non-contracted providers, but at a higher out-of-pocket cost. PacifiCare SignatureOptionsSM is available to employer groups of 51 or more employees.


PacifiCare SignatureIndependenceSM (Indemnity)
The PacifiCare SignatureIndependence Plan is a traditional indemnity plan. It gives you the independence to go to any doctor -- including a specialist -- without a referral.

You have the flexibility to see any provider licensed or certified to provide covered benefits.
You must meet an annual deductible.
You pay your plan's coinsurance cost for all covered services.


PacifiCare SignatureFreedomSM (SDHP)
The PacifiCare SignatureFreedom plan is a Self Directed Health Plan, or SDHP. It is PPO-based, so you'll have access to a broad network of physicians and hospitals. PacifiCare SignatureFreedom rewards you with an annual Self Directed Account (SDA) which you can use toward certain types of preventative health care services like doctor's office visits, mammography screening, breast and pelvic exams, and more.

You can choose any provider licensed or certified to provide covered benefits.
You pay a lower copayment or coinsurance when you visit a doctor that is in the participating network.
Any money from your SDA that you don't spend is carried over to the next year, allowing you to "save" for future health care expenses.
Services not covered by the SDA, such as inpatient surgery or emergency room visits, are paid for like a traditional PPO, with yearly deductible and a charge for coinsurance.
You have access to a complete suite of online support tools that allow you to keep track of your SDA account, claim activity, status, provider choice and health care costs.


Medicare Advantage
In addition to our regular HMO product, PacifiCare offers Medicare beneficiaries Secure Horizons an alternative to Medicare. Secure Horizons, our Medicare HMO plan, essentially works the same as our regular HMO. When a member chooses a PCP, he or she is also choosing the group of specialists available and the hospital they will go to when necessary. This plan covers all services and supplies offered by Medicare, plus additional benefits, often at little or no premium to the member