Blue Cross Of California, California
CORE 5000

Vimo Editorial: Health Plan Profile

If you want catastrophic coverage for a miniscule premium, the Core 5000 delivers a bare-bones policy from one of the best healthcare networks in California : Blue Cross.

The name "Core" fits, because the Core 5000 cuts to the core of what a health insurance policy is supposed to be. There are absolutely no frills. Not even doctor's visits are covered until you've spent your deductible. But after burning through your out-of-pocket maximum following a major health crisis, the Core 5000 delivers what it was purchased for: outstanding catastrophic coverage from Blue Cross, arguably the most dependable health insurance brand in the Golden State.

The Core 5000 appears to be intended for a healthy young male. The plan doesn't offer maternity coverage. It should be noted that competing California products from Blue Shield, with similarly high deductibles, offer the same kind of bare-bones coverage but with maternity included. The policy's out-of-pocket maximum is also 50 percent higher than its deductible, so expect to spend $7,500 before the plan takes over 100 percent of your healthcare costs.

The major reason to purchase this policy is its high plan maximum: $5 million from Blue Cross. In a catastrophe, you will be covered and you won't be financially ruined, which is ultimately what insurance is all about.

BEST FOR: Young healthy men who don't expect to see a doctor anytime soon, and only want insurance to cover the unexpected.

PROS: The lowest premiums that Blue Cross has to offer – and the Blue Cross network. The National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) has awarded Blue Cross HMO/POS products Excellent Accreditation and PPO products Full Accreditation. Excellent and Full Accreditation are the highest ratings possible for the respective products.

CONS: Lack of maternity coverage. The same thing that makes the plan cheap, the high, high deductible, is what will make the plan expensive if you need to dip into your deductible to pay medical bills.