A Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) is a type of health plan that contracts with medical providers, such as hospitals and doctors, to create a network of participating providers. Regence BlueShieldmanages the PPO plan offered by Snohomish County. Here is a brief list of the pros and cons of opting for a PPO plan.
Advantages
- Do not have to select a Primary Care Physician
- Can choose any doctor you choose but offers discounts to those within their preferred network
- No referral required to see a specialist
- More flexibility than other plan options
- Greater control over your choices as long as you don’t mind paying for them
Disadvantages
- Higher monthly premium
- Higher out of pocket expenses
- Must monitor in-network vs out-of network to control cost
Highlights
Your Regence Medical plan provides you with:
- A comprehensive website to support a healthy lifestyle, help you find a physician, and information on Regence Wellness Programs
- Tobacco Cessation Programthat includes medications and counseling to help make you successful
- A 24/7 Advice Line to help you make medical decisions about self-care, when to seek treatment and what kind of facility to visit (ex. emergency room vs urgent care)
- BabyWisewhich is a program to help support you with tools and resources through pregnancy to increase your chances of having a healthy full-term baby
- Treatment Cost Estimatorto help you find an in-network provider and estimate the cost of your medical care before seeking treatment
- Regence Advantages Program
- Active&Fit Direct
- CHP CAMaffintiy Program-provides a 20% discount on complementary and alternative medicine services through CHP Group’s network
- EyeMed Vision Care-35% discount on a complete pair of glasses
- QualSight-save 40-50% on LASIK
- TruHearing-Save up to 60% on hearing aids
- Beltone Hearing Care-receive a set of hearing aids for a price as low as $995
- And many more
