Health Insurance Product Reviews (BETA)
Major Carriers and High Deductible Health Plans

Vimo Editorial: Health Plan Profile

One of Blue Cross of California's many lower cost PPO plan, the PPO 40 is only available to singe adults – not families. It also has the lowest deductible of BC's PPO plans: $0. But it comes with a high coinsurance percentage of 40 percent, hence the "40" in its name. But the benefits mirror those of other, high-deductible PPO plans. The plan has an out-of-pocket maximum of $7,500.

If you do end up in the hospital, you'll pay a $500 per day hospital co-pay for a maximum of four days. The plan comes with three different pharmacy options: 1) Full prescription drug benefits, 2) Generic prescriptions drug benefits, and 3) No prescription drug benefits. The first option lets you purchase name-brand drugs for a $30 copay after you have met a $500 deductible for pharmaceuticals. You can also pay a $10 copay for generic drugs under the first and second options.

BEST FOR: Someone who demands a low premium with a $0 deductible. You make up for it with the high coinsurance.

PROS: Even if you suffer from a moderate medical emergency, this plan will offer you some financial relief.

CONS: The high out-of-pocket maximum of $7,500 means you will pay a ton of money before the plan kicks in and covers 100 percent of your covered expenses. In a real medical emergency you will take a financial hit.