Blue Cross Blue Shield Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Blue Cross Blue Shield - Research Paper Example Services offered by health care systems are various and include surgical care, cardiac care, pediatrics, cancer and women care, maternity care, and other specialty care services. Blue Cross and Blue Shield offer a number of different health care insurance coverage types. The one you are most likely familiar with is an HMO, or health maintenance organization. This benefit plan requires that you receive health care from providers who in ‘network,’ meaning that they have a contract with Blue Cross and Blue Shield and a primary care physician will act as a coordinator in your health care needs, Most of the time you will need a referral to see a specialist or someone who is outside of the network (Types†¦). POS or point of service is usually the most preferred option and makes it possible for members to choose providers outside of the network as needed for health care services. Blue Cross Blue Shield also offers a preferred provider organization where members are able to choose their own provider though higher coverage is provided if the provider is in network and contracts with Blue Cross Blue Shield. Blue Cross Blue Shield also offers flexible spending accounts, a plan that reimburses employees for specific expenses and funds are usually deducted from the employee’s paycheck and contributions to this plan are usually not subject to income taxes. Blue Cross and Blue Shield provide coverage to federal employees and provide coverage to approximately 4.5 million federal employees, their families and retiree’s. Federal employees include the Department of Defense, US Postal Service, Department of Energy, Health and Human Services and Environmental Services, and Employees of agencies paid through the National Finance center (Blue Cross†¦.). Being a federal employee is not the only way to become eligible for Blue Cross and Blue Shield coverage though. The National Labor Union also acts as liaison between Blue Cross and 38 independent