Premera Blue Cross is a not-for-profit health insurance provider headquartered in Mountlake Terrace, Washington, United States. The company is an independent licensed Blue Cross Blue Shield Association provider. It sells health insurance plans in Washington State under the Blue Cross license and in Alaska under both Blue Cross and Blue Shield licenses. Premera has been operating in Washington since 1945 and in Alaska since 1957.
Regence Blue Shield is a licensed healthcare provider of its parent company Regence Insurance Holding Corporation. Founded in 1933, Regence Blue Shield’s headquarters is in Seattle, Washington, United States. It sells health care insurance plans in some counties of Idaho and throughout Washington State.
Premera Blue Cross
Premera is committed to controlling rising medical expenses while they ensure your access to quality care. It is the largest health plan provider in the Pacific Northwest and serves over 2 million people. Premera Blue Cross offers various programs like vision, dental, stop-loss, disability, health, life, workforce wellness, etc. Their network has thousands of doctors, hospitals, and other healthcare providers.
In which areas is Premera Blue Cross accepted?
Premera Blue Cross is accepted in the following counties:
Individual plans – Franklin, Grays Harbor, King, Kitsap, Pacific, Skamania, and Wahkiakum
Medicare Advantage plans – Island, King, Pierce, San Juan, Skagit, Snohomish, Spokane, Stevens, Thurston, Walla Walla, and Whatcom.
Available Plans
Premera Blue Cross offers various healthcare insurance plans for individuals, families, and employees. They provide comprehensive health services throughout Washington and Alaska. Here is a list of programs available at Premera:
Individual & Family Plans
Premera Blue Cross offers various health care plans for individuals and their family members. The following table will help you choose among the different methods:
| Name of Plans | Annual Deductible | Coinsurance | Out-of-pocket Maximum |
| Preferred Gold EPO 1500 | $1,500 | 30% | $6,800 |
| Preferred Silver EPO 4100 | $4,100 | 30% | $6,600 |
| Preferred Bronze EPO 6350 | $6,350 | 40% | $8,200 |
| Preferred Bronze HSA EPO 6100 | $6,100 | 40% | $6,900 |
| Cascade Care Gold | $500 | 20% | $5,250 |
| Cascade Care Silver | $2,000 | 30% | $7,800 |
| Cascade Care Bronze | $6,000 | 40% | $8,550 |
Business Plans
Employers can count on Premera Blue Cross for comprehensive health care plans for their employees. The programs are divided into two categories based on the size of the business –
Small Business
If you have a small business with employee numbers ranging from 1-50, you can select any of the following plans to offer to your employees:
Choice Plans
| Name of Plans | Deductible | Out-of-pocket Maximum | PCP Office Visit |
| Choice | |||
| Choice Gold | $750 – $1,500 | $6,500 – $8,100 | $25 copay |
| Choice 2500 Silver | $2,500 | $8,150 | $35 copay |
| Choice HSA-qualified | |||
| Choice HSA 1500 Gold | $1,500 | $3,900 | Pay 100% until the deductible is met, then a cost percentage (coinsurance). |
| Choice HSA 3000 Silver | $3,000 | $5,550 | Pay 100% until the deductible is met, then a cost percentage (coinsurance). |
| Choice HSA 6200 Bronze | $6,200 | $6,900 | Pay 100% until the deductible is met, then a cost percentage (coinsurance). |
| Medical + Dental | |||
| Choice Gold + Family Dental | $750 – $1,000 | $7,100 – $8,100 | $25 copay |
| Choice Silver + Family Dental | $2,500 | $8,150 | $35 copay |
| Choice HSA-Qualified Silver + Family Dental | $3,000 | $5,500 | Pay 100% until the deductible is met, then cost percentage (coinsurance). |
Balance Plans
| Name of Plans | Deductible | Out-of-pocket Maximum | PCP Office Visit |
| Balance | |||
| Balance Platinum | $250 – $500 | $4,000 – $5,000 | $10 copay |
| Balance Gold | $500 – $2,500 | $6,500 – $8,550 | $25 copay |
| Balance Silver | $2,000 – $3,000 | $7,000 – $8,150 | $35 copay |
| Balance Bronze | $6,500 | $8,550 | $60 copay |
| Balance EPO Bronze | $8,550 | $8,550 | Pay 100% until the deductible is met, then cost percentage (coinsurance). |
| Balance HSA-qualified | |||
| Balance HSA 1500 Gold | $1,500 | $3,900 | Pay 100% until the deductible is met, then a cost percentage (coinsurance). |
| Balance HSA 3000 Silver | $3,000 | $5,550 | Pay 100% until the deductible is met, then a cost percentage (coinsurance). |
| Balance HSA 6200 Bronze | $6,000 | $6,900 | Pay 100% until the deductible is met, then a cost percentage (coinsurance). |
| Medical + Dental | |||
| Balance Gold + Family Dental | $500 – $1,000 | $8,100 – $8,550 | $25 copay |
| Balance Silver + Family Dental | $2,000 – $3,000 | $5,500 – $8,150 | $35 copay with a non-HSA plan |
You can visit Small Business Plans (1-50 Employees) for more plans | Employer | Premera Blue Cross.
Large Business
If you have a large business with 51 employees or more, you can select any of the following plans to offer to your employees:
Medical Plans
| Name of Plans | Cost & Coverage | Office Visit | Provider Network |
| Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) Plans | Wide-ranging premium and cost-share combinations, with deductibles starting at $250 | Copay of $20-$35 | Choice of Heritage or Heritage Prime network with 30,000+ providers statewide |
| Health Savings Account (HSA)-Qualified PPO Plans | Lower premiums and higher-cost shares | The employee pays 100% until the deductible is met, then produces a percentage of the cost (coinsurance) | Choice of Heritage or Heritage Prime network with 30,000+ providers statewide |
| Essentials Medical 8550 Plan | Designed as a low-cost option that allows employers to maintain the ability to offer qualified healthcare coverage to their employees | The employee pays 100% until the deductible is met, then pays a percentage of the cost (coinsurance) | Heritage Prime network with 30,000+ providers statewide |
| Peak Care PCP Plans | Lower premiums and cost shares for employees, when compared to PPO plans | Copay of $20 – $60 | Tahoma network with 3,800 exclusive providers statewide |
| Balance EPO Bronze | $8,550 | $8,550 | Pay 100% until the deductible is met, then cost percentage (coinsurance). |
Pharmacy Plan
| Name of Plans | Cost & Coverage | Office Visit | Provider Network |
| Essentials Pharmacy Plans | Keeps costs as low as possible by focusing on high-value drugs that are approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) | The employee pays a copay or percentage of the drug cost. | Covers 30-day supply for a retail and 90-day store for mail order |
Dental Plan
| Name of Plans | Provider Network | Orthodontia Coverage | Waiting Period |
| Preferred and Optima Dental Plans | Our ten dental plans feature a broad network of over 281,000 providers nationwide. | The Optima Plus Ortho plan features orthodontia coverage for all ages | The Voluntary Preference plan is the only one that requires a 12-month waiting period for major dental services |
For more plans, you can visit Large Business Plans (51+ Employees) | Employer | Premera Blue Cross.
Medicare Plans
Premera Blue Cross offers a wide range of Medicare Advantage plans for older citizens above 65 and with certain disabilities. The following table will help you choose among the Medicare Advantage plans:
| Name of Plans | Monthly Premium | Medical Coverage | Prescription Coverage | ||||
| Annual Deductible | Maximum Out-of-Pocket | Health Coverage | Pharmacy Coverage | Dental Coverage | Vision Coverage | ||
| Premera Blue Cross Medicare Advantage Peak + Rx (HMO) | $0 | $0 | $6,700
| Included | Included | Rider available at $22.50 Premium per month | Included (Routine Vision Exam and Vision Hardware) |
| Premera Blue Cross Medicare Advantage (HMO) | $0 | $0 | $6,300 | Included | Included | Rider available at $22.50 Premium per month | Included (Routine Vision Exam only) |
| Premera Blue Cross Medicare Advantage Sound + Rx (HMO) | $40 | $0 | $6,500 | Included | Included | Included | Included (Routine Vision Exam and Vision Hardware) |
| Premera Blue Cross Medicare Advantage Alpine (HMO) | $42 | $0 | $6,500 | Included | Not Covered | Not Covered | Included (Routine Vision Exam and Vision Hardware) |
| Premera Blue Cross Medicare Advantage Classic (HMO) | $55 | $0 | $5,000 | Included | Included | Included | Included (Routine Vision Exam and Vision Hardware) |
| Premera Blue Cross Medicare Advantage Charter + Rx (HMO) | $151 | $0 | $4,900 | Included | Included | Included | Included (Routine Vision Exam and Vision Hardware) |
| Premera Blue Cross Medicare Advantage Classic Plus (HMO) | $0 | $5,000 | Included | Included | Included | Included (Routine Vision Exam and Vision Hardware) | |
Regence Blue Shield
Like Premera Blue Cross, Regence Blue Shield is also a part of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association, serving health care insurance plans in Idaho and Washington. They sell these products through their subsidiary Healthcare Management Administrators, Inc. Regence has a good history of commitment and contribution of financial support towards local communities.
What type of network does Regence Blue Shield offer?
Regence Blue Shield offers the following networks –
- Home Maintenance Organization (HMO)
- Personal Preferred Organization (PPO)
- Preferred Dentist Program (PDP)
Available Plans
Regence Blue Shield offers health care plans for individuals, families, and employees. Their plans contain various benefits at cheaper rates. Here we will discuss the types of plans that Regence has to offer to its members:
Individual & Family
Regence Blue Shield offers the following health insurance plans for individuals and their families:
| Name of Plans | Premium (Monthly Cost) | Annual Deductible | In-network Provider Coinsurance |
| Bronze Care on Demand 8000 EPO | $282.67 | $8,000 | 20% |
| Bronze Essential 7500 EPO | $297.54 | $7,500 | 10% |
| Bronze HDHP 5700 EPO | $306.85 | $5,700 | 50% |
| Bronze Care on Demand 8000 EPO / Dental, Vision | $318.19 | $8,000 | 20% |
| Bronze Essential 7500 EPO / Dental, Vision | $333.06 | $7,500 | 10% |
| Bronze HDHP 5700 EPO / Dental, Vision | $342.37 | $5,700 | 50% |
| Silver HDHP 3000 EPO | $384.95 | $3,000 | 20% |
| Silver 3000 EPO | $386.19 | $3,000 | 30% |
| Silver HDHP 3000 EPO / Dental, Vision | $420.47 | $3,000 | 20% |
Medicare
Regence Blue Shield offers Medicare Advantage plans to elderly citizens 65 years and above with certain disabilities or low income. Here is a list of Medicare Advantage plans:
| Name of Plans | Monthly Premium | Annual Deductible | Max Out-of-Pocket | In-network Copay | Included Benefits | Optional Benefits |
| Regence BlueAdvantage HMO Plus (HMO) | $48.00 | $0.00 | $5,900 In-Network | Primary Care Provider: $0 Emergency Care: $90 Specialist Services: $45 | – $0 Tier 1 Preferred Generic Drugs – Vision – Dental – Hearing – Alternative Care – Telehealth – Fitness Membership – And many more | Comprehensive Dental |
| Regence BlueAdvantage HMO (HMO) | $0.00 | $0.00 | $6,200 In-Network | Primary Care Provider: $0 Emergency Care: $90 Specialist Services: $45 | – $0 Tier 1 Preferred Generic Drugs – Vision – Dental – Hearing – Alternative Care – Telehealth – Fitness Membership – Over the Counter (OTC) – And many more | Comprehensive Dental |
| Regence Valiance (HMO) | $0.00 | $0.00 | $5,900 In-Network | Primary Care Provider: $0 Emergency Care: $90 Specialist Services: $40 | – Vision – Dental – Hearing – Alternative Care – Telehealth – Fitness Membership – Over the Counter (OTC) – And many more | Comprehensive Dental
|
| Regence MedAdvantage + Rx Primary (PPO) | $38.00 | $0.00 | $6,700 In-Network $10,000 Combined In and Out-of-Network | Primary Care Provider: $20 Emergency Care: $90 Specialist Services: $50 | – $0 Tier 1 Preferred Generic Drugs – Vision – Dental – Hearing – Alternative Care – Telehealth – Fitness Membership – And many more | Comprehensive Dental |
| Regence MedAdvantage + Rx Classic (PPO) | $78.00 | $0.00 | $6,200 In-Network $10,000 Combined In and Out-of-Network | Primary Care Provider: $10 Emergency Care: $90 Specialist Services: $40 | – $0 Tier 1 Preferred Generic Drugs – Vision – Dental – Hearing – Alternative Care – Telehealth – Fitness Membership – And many more | Comprehensive Dental |
| Regence MedAdvantage + Rx Enhanced (PPO) | $157.00 | $0.00 | $5,400 In-Network $10,000 Combined In and Out-of-Network | Primary Care Provider: $5 Emergency Care: $90 Specialist Services: $35 | – $0 Tier 1 Preferred Generic Drugs – Vision – Dental – Hearing – Alternative Care – Telehealth – Fitness Membership – And many more | |
| Regence Valiance (PPO) | $0.00 | $0.00 | $6,200 In-Network $10,000 Combined In and Out-of-Network | Primary Care Provider: $5 Emergency Care: $90 Specialist Services: $40 | – $0 Tier 1 Preferred Generic Drugs – Vision – Dental – Hearing – Alternative Care – Telehealth – Fitness Membership – And many more | Comprehensive Dental |
For more plans, you can visit their official website.
Employers
Regence Blue Shield also offers employers insurance plans to ensure their employees a healthy life. The employee plans are categorized into three classes based on the business size, in other words, employee numbers. These are
- Small (1-50 people)
- Medium (51-99 people)
- Large (100+ people)
Besides these, there is one more plan called the ASO plan –
- 50-100 employees
- 101+ employees
Premera Blue Cross and Regence Blue Shield offer a wide range of insurance plans at attractive prices. They include almost similar benefits but have their perks. If you want more details about the techniques, you can visit Premera Blue Cross and Regence: The most trusted name in health insurance.
You May Also Like the following: