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Coverage
Synopsis:
Blue
Cross Blue Shield generally offers the best value
for full coverage. They cover doctor visits, prescription
drugs, vision, accident benefit, and of course, hospitalization.
The coverage and rates are excellent, and they have
what is probably the widest PPO network in the state of Colorado.
Complete details can be seen by opening Anthem's "Outline
of Coverage" brochure.
You can also refer to the chart above
for a coverage overview.
Rates:
Rates
are the same throughout Colorado, and don't change by zip
code or effective date. Typically readjustments occur on January
1 of each year. You can get an instant
quote, or check out the rate
chart.
PPO
Network:
Anthem
gives you access to one of the largest networks in Colorado,
with nearly 8,500 health care providers and over 60 hospitals
throughout the state. The large list of doctors and
hospitals can be viewed at the Anthem
PPO Online Provider Directory. Make sure to
choose the "BluePreferred PPO" plan. Policyholders
can go to Blue Cross doctors anywhere in the country, and
can even access a world-wide network.
Underwriting:
Anthem
has one of the easiest, most efficient underwriting teams
in the industry. The process is very fast if no medical
records are needed. While it is always a good idea to
apply at least three weeks prior to the time you need your
new coverage to take effect, some applications that are done
online are approved by Anthem within 24 hours. If medical
records are needed, you may have to reapply, and include medical
records.
The company
does have the right to accept or decline any individual or
family application. Certain conditions may be waivered
with a temporary rider (usually for one to two years), or
an indefinite rider. If you are currently being treated
for depression, anxiety, or high cholesterol, please let us
know before you apply so we can make sure there are no delays
in getting you covered.
For an
infant less than 6 months of age, Anthem requires nursery
records from the hospital where the infant was born, office
records from the infant’s pediatrician, and results of
the newborn screening laboratory tests (available from the
hospital or pediatrician).
Anyone
applying for Anthem coverage that has any of the following
pre-existing conditions also needs to complete the appropriate
form and return it to our office via toll free fax (866-284-0082)
as promptly as possible.
Effective
dates:
The coverage
can go into effect in as quickly as 24 hours, though the applicant
risks being declined if claims are submitted before the underwriting
process is completed. You may request an effective date
any time the date after you sign the application and 60 days
later. Please note that you will be billed starting
on your requested effective date, even if you have not yet
been notified that you have been approved. This is very
good for someone who does not have any present coverage and
would like for their benefits to begin right away. For
those who are already covered, it is suggested that you maintain
your current coverage in force until you have received notice
from either Health
Insurance for America
or directly from Anthem that your coverage has been approved
and is in force.
Your earliest
possible effective date will be the day after Anthem has received
all the necessary documents and information needed to process
your application.
About
Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield:
The company
known today as Anthem is the outgrowth of two Indianapolis-based
corporations formed in 1944 and 1946 as mutual insurance companies.
Those two companies were created to provide health insurance
to residents of Indiana as Blue Cross of Indiana and Blue
Shield of Indiana.
In the
mid-1980s, the health care industry began rapidly consolidating.
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Indiana wanted to find
a better way to serve their customers, and knew they needed
to change in order to do so. The company began to diversify
and expand, primarily through Blue Cross and Blue Shield mergers
and acquisitions.
The Anthem
Blue Cross and Blue Shield companies are independent licensees
of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association and currently
serves more than 12.6 million customers in nine different
states.
Anthem
Blue Cross Blue Shield has been assigned an A.M. Best rating
of "A" (Excellent).
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