Members of HMOs pay the set fee which automatically takes care of all medical expenses like general consultation, routine medical care to hospitalization. Members who want to enroll themselves in an HMO should, to monitor their health related requirements, select a primary health care provider. If the condition of the member or patient requires specialized care in a particular area, a provider would refer the patient to one who is a specialist in concerned area.

The Americans have been receiving affordable healthcare from Blue Cross Blue Shield HMOs for several years. The citizens of America after paying taxes for decades and helping the nation grow to the status of an economic super power deserved some thing in return. But for the existence Blue Cross HMO, hundreds of thousands of hard-working American citizens would not have received the kind of health care and treatment that they essentially need and thoroughly deserve. Many socially oriented organizations in America adapted themselves to the new technologies and moved ahead with times. Blue Cross Blue Shield is not one to lag behind. It has promptly embraced the new technologies developed in recent years.

The organization now offers more services to people, through a technologically upgraded website of its own and succeeded in its efforts to provide better services to Blue Cross Blue Shield members. One of the new online features now available at Blue Cross Blue Shield is HealthIssues.com. Browsers can get a lot of information about health issues related to the past years and the current year so that they can update their knowledge in this area and can handle potential health issues with ease and aplomb in the days to come. Active members will receive e-mail based news letter every month with a substantial volume of useful information that can be quite handy and could be of vital importance to anyone concerned about ones health. The hot topics covered in the recent newsletters are about the avian flu epidemic that had been sweeping the Asian countries during the recent months. During yester years HMOs used to request their members to contact them in case of any necessity. The vision of Blue Cross HMO changed it all. They have changed the Contact Us option in their web site aS Customer Service. The key reason for this transformation in the approach of Blue Cross Blue Shield HMOs is overwhelming demand by members.

One of the most beneficial and advantageous features of their customer service is to allow members to change

the spelling of their name on official Blue Cross Blue Shield documentation. This particular facility was once a time consuming and cumbersome feature. This simple but essential service speeds up the rectification of incorrect data and ensures continuation of benefits without a hitch. The additional features of this new online service allows members to change date-of-birth and social security information as well.

The Blue Cross HMO constantly does the up-gradation and enhancement of their customer service section which allows its members to access information about their individual enrollment plans to check for accuracy and updates. Unfortunately the access to information to its members is not in a 24x7 format. Its a restricted access. At present access is permitted between 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. from Monday to Saturday, EST. Any change made to their personal information by members gets updated during the next business day. Any kind of access which has restrictions and limitations to it, put the members to some discomfort and disadvantage yet times. Blue Cross Blue Shield HMO has plans up their sleeves to remove the hardship of its members in this area and the plans are likely to fall in place soon and make this service more meaningful and convenient. Its true that all kinds of transactions can not be carried out on line but the fact that improvements to the online services offered by Blue Cross Blue Shield have made the entire process more and more accessible and convenient for its members. Members get information about critical healthcare through the news letters. The improvements made to the customer service section reduce waiting time and increase the convenience levels of its members.

The HMOs of Blue Cross Blue Shield in various states offer services which are slightly different from one another. The range of features offered by Blue Cross Blue Shield HMOs in different states are furnished here under :

The Blue Cross HMO and Blue Shield of Illinois offer two different contracting provider networks one being Blue Advantage HMO and the other being HMO Illinois, which offer the same range of features, which include broad hospital coverage, no coinsurance, no deductible, predictable co-payments for health care services and a vast network of contracting retail and mail service pharmacies.

HMOs of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of California have been in the service of the citizens of Californians for decades. Blue Cross of California and its branded affiliates together provide health care services to more than 6.8 million members. Each and every member may be having an unique need and requirement in respect of health plans that are offered by a HMO. Fortunately a huge flexibility and an unparalleled choice is available to the members of Blue Cross with regard to health plans. These choices and options are fine-tuned on regular basis to improve affordability and quality health care. With its strong track record for innovation Blue Cross focuses on progressive products and services to be offered to the Californians. In the categories of individual, small group, large group and senior, unique product offerings are available which include a full range of integrated medical and specialty products. The Blue Cross of California HMO Plans cover more of the costs of your health care than any other plan type. The coverage offered is restricted only to services received from doctors and hospitals who or which fall within the net work of HMO.A member had to choose a specific health care group and or a physician within the particular network to get required services in respect of ones health care needs.

There is an individual health insurance product offered by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas which is known as Texas Blue Alliance. This particular product specifically caters to the health insurance needs of workers who were displaced due to their employer moving to another country. Displaced workers are eligible to receive Trade Readjustment Allowances which is assured to the workers under the Trade Adjustment Assistance Act .

Blue Care HMO of Northeastern Pennsylvania offers special facilities to its female members. The female members need not go through referral route but can have a direct access to any Obstetrician/ Gynecologist in the network. The HMO offers many more benefits which include cover while in travel, minimal out of pocket expenses and no claim forms to file. The HMO maintains close ties with all participating providers and there by ensures quality care and further keep costs under control.

-For Florida's Health is the HMO which offers online health care resources to the residents of Florida. For the exclusive benefit of residents of Florida who do not have health insurance, the Blue Foundation in partnership with Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida has gathered a list of resources.

The Bottom line: Stay cool, comfortable and relaxed in respect of all your health care needs, HMOs of Blue Cross are there to take care of you.