Bluecross Blueshield of Illinois Health Insurance Review for 2024

If you are looking for a reliable and affordable health insurance plan in Illinois, you might want to consider Bluecross Blueshield of Illinois, the state’s largest and oldest health insurer. Bluecross Blueshield of Illinois offers a variety of plans for individuals, families, Medicare beneficiaries, and Medicaid enrollees. In this article, we will review some of the features, benefits, and drawbacks of Bluecross Blueshield of Illinois plans, and help you decide if they are right for you.

What is Bluecross Blueshield of Illinois

Bluecross Blueshield of Illinois (BCBSIL) is a division of Health Care Service Corporation, a mutual legal reserve company that operates as a licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. It was founded in 1936 and has been serving the people of Illinois ever since. It is the largest health insurer in the state, with more than 9 million members.

Plans

Bluecross Blueshield of Illinois offers a range of plans for different needs and budgets. Some of the main categories are:

• Individual and family plans: These are plans that you can buy on your own or with your spouse or dependents. They include Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) plans, Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) plans, High-Deductible Health Plans (HDHPs) with Health Savings Accounts (HSAs), short-term plans and dental plans. You can shop for these plans on the Bluecross Blueshield of Illinois website or through the Health Insurance Marketplace.
• Medicare plans: These plans supplement or replace the original Medicare coverage for people who are 65 or older, disabled, or have certain chronic conditions. They include Medicare Advantage (Part C) plans, Medicare Supplement (Medigap) plans, and Medicare Prescription Drug (Part D) plans. You can compare and enroll in these plans on the Bluecross Blueshield of Illinois website or through Medicare.gov.
• Medicaid plans: These plans provide low-cost or free health coverage for people who have low income, disabilities, or other eligibility criteria. They include Managed Care Organization (MCO) plans, Integrated Care Program (ICP) plans, and Long-Term Services and Supports (LTSS) plans. You can apply for these plans through the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services (HFS) website or by calling 1-800-843-6154.
• Employer plans: These are plans that are offered by employers to their employees as part of their benefits package. They may include HMO, PPO, HDHP, or other types of plans. You can access these plans through your employer or the Blue Access for Members portal.

Cost

Below is the estimated average monthly cost for Bluecross Blueshield individual health insurance:

Pros and Cons of Bluecross Blueshield of Illinois

Like any health insurance company, Bluecross Blueshield of Illinois has its strengths and weaknesses. Here are some of the pros and cons that you should consider before choosing a plan:

Pros:

Some of the benefits of choosing Bluecross Blueshield of Illinois as your health insurance provider are:

• Wide network: You can access a large network of doctors, hospitals, and other health providers across the state and the country. You can also use the Find a Doctor tool to search for providers in your plan network. The tool also helps you compare their ratings and reviews, and see their cost estimates.
• Quality care: You can get preventive care services at no extra cost, such as annual checkups, immunizations, screenings, and wellness programs. You can also get access to specialized care programs for chronic conditions, such as diabetes, asthma, and heart disease.
• Customer service: You can get support from a dedicated customer service team that can answer your questions, help you with claims, guide you through enrollment and more. You can also use the online tools and resources to manage your account, view your benefits, pay your bills and more.
• Value-added benefits: You can enjoy some extra perks that come with your plan, such as discounts on fitness memberships, vision care, hearing aids, weight management programs and more. You can also get access to telehealth services that let you consult with a doctor online or by phone anytime.

Cons:

Some of the limitations or challenges of choosing Bluecross Blueshield of Illinois as your health insurance provider are:

• Cost: Depending on your plan type, deductible, copayments, coinsurance, and out-of-pocket maximums, you may have to pay a significant amount for your health care expenses. You may also have to pay higher premiums if you have pre-existing conditions or use tobacco products.
• Restrictions: Depending on your plan type, you may have to follow certain rules or requirements to get the most out of your coverage. For example, you may have to get referrals from your primary care provider (PCP) to see specialists or use in-network providers to avoid higher costs.
• Changes: Depending on the market conditions, regulatory changes, provider contracts, and other factors, your plan benefits, costs, and network may change from year to year. You may have to review your plan options and make changes during the open enrollment period or the special enrollment period.

Customer Reviews

To get a sense of how satisfied or dissatisfied customers are with Bluecross Blueshield of Illinois plans, we looked at some of the online reviews and ratings from different sources. Here are some of the highlights:

• On Consumer Affairs, Bluecross Blueshield of Illinois has an average rating of 1.0 out of 5 stars, based on 158 reviews. Most of the complaints are about high premiums, denied claims, poor customer service and network issues.
• On Yelp, Bluecross Blueshield of Illinois has an average rating of 1.3 out of 5 stars, based on 217 reviews. Most of the negative reviews are about billing errors, long wait times, rude representatives, and coverage problems.
• On Trustpilot, Bluecross Blueshield of Illinois has an average rating of 2.6 out of 5 stars, based on 6 reviews. Most of the reviewers are unhappy with the lack of transparency, communication, and responsiveness from the company.

Please note that these ratings can change over time and may not represent the experiences of all customers.

Choosing the Best Bluecross Blueshield Plan

Choosing a health insurance plan can be confusing and overwhelming. There are many factors to consider, such as your health status, your budget, your preferences, and your lifestyle. Here are some tips to help you make an informed decision:

• Compare different plans and options based on their coverage, costs, benefits, and limitations. You can use online tools such as Plan Finder or Cost Estimator to compare plans side by side.
• Read the plan details carefully and understand what is included and excluded in each plan. Pay attention to the deductible, copay, coinsurance, out-of-pocket maximum, network size, provider choice, prescription drug coverage, preventive care services, emergency care services, etc.
• Consider your current and future health needs and goals. Think about how often you see a doctor or need medical care, what kind of services or treatments you need or want, what medications you take or may need in the future, etc.
• Ask for help or advice from experts or professionals. You can contact Bluecross Blueshield of Illinois customer service, talk to an agent or broker, consult your employer or human resources department, or seek guidance from a health insurance navigator or counselor.

Conclusion

Bluecross Blueshield of Illinois is one of the leading health insurance companies in the state and the country. It offers a variety of plans and options to meet the needs and preferences of different customers. However, it also has some drawbacks and limitations that you should be aware of before choosing a plan. Therefore, it is important to do your research, compare different plans, and understand the pros and cons of each option. By doing so, you can find the best Bluecross Blueshield plan for you and your family.

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