What is the difference between anthem and blue shield

They have the most volume of health insurance applications and also have the most members. While Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield of California do compete on many levels in California, the deciding factor for most members is usually their available networks. As an article at HealthforCalifornia. Anthem does not. Regarding Stanford, Anthem offers coverage through the hospital but not the medical group. Blue Shield has both.

With these two health insurance California competitors, their premiums tend to be very comparable. However, the rates tend to be about the same. Nationally, customers have rated various Blue Cross Blue Shield companies less than 3. The complaints include difficulty in getting medical procedures approved, coverage denials, and limited PPO choices. Anthem is also the second-largest medical insurance provider in the United States by total members, with over 40 million lives covered.

With over 8 million members just in California, Anthem Blue Cross provides coverage for more Californians than any other carrier in the state. There are many policy options and there is a plan available no matter how much coverage you may want. Blue Shield of California has Sutter in their network. Anthem does not. Regarding Stanford, Anthem offers coverage through the hospital but not the medical group.

Blue Shield has both. With these two health insurance California competitors, their premiums tend to be very comparable. However, the rates tend to be about the same. The big difference is network. Which plan offers the most doctors, hospitals and medical provider networks? Or, more importantly, which plan does your primary care physician or specialist take?

At the end of the day, most California consumers care more about whether or not their personal doctor is covered then they care how many doctors are in-network. They can connect with doctors in Spanish from am to pm. Members can talk with a physician while traveling anywhere in the world as long as they have internet service.

They can even get prescriptions for pharmaceutical medications in most states while outside of California. But not for long. Also, now Anthem is offering their Blue Card for individual and family plans again. Blue Cross Blue Shield is part of the Anthem family of brands. While the two brands are related, they sell different Medicare plans in different areas. In our review, we outline which types of plans may offer the benefits you need and compare Anthem vs.

BCBS so you can get a better idea of how to find the right plan for you. Anthem Find Anthem Plans. Find Plans. Related Medicare Articles. Blue Cross Blue Shield vs. Does Humana Medicare Cover Vision? Read More. Guide to Comparing Medicare Advantage Plans.