Blue Cross of California Ratings		4 Customer Ratings
Coverage:		3.25 out of 5
Cost:		3 out of 5
Customer Service:		2 out of 5
Claims:		2.25 out of 5

The health care provider Blue Cross of California has been in business since 1937 and set a high standard for comprehensive care in the Golden State. The reason why Blue Cross has been successful in the nation's most populous state is the diverse range of resources provided to individuals, small businesses and large corporations on a daily basis. Every customer can expect to have their health needs catered to by their Blue Cross representative because of the company's dynamic approach.

Unlike other insurers, Blue Cross of California provides services to meet responsive care from birth to death. The company has a network of doctors, clinics and other medical professionals capable of helping insurance holders with their medical problems. Workers, retirees and students can access plans that allow them to get care around the clock without excessive paperwork and hidden fees.

The Blue Cross commitment to excellence in California is embodied in a number of tools available to each customer. The online services provided through the Blue Cross website allow a user to insert their ID number, group number and other information to find the right services before leaving the comforts of home. The toll-free number provides another point of access for insured residents that need to resolve billing issues with a customer representative morning, noon and night. Blue Cross of California recognizes that updated information and access to health knowledge is critical to clients.

A member of the Blue Cross of California network can utilize a number of health-related services that ensure long term well being. The volume of business that Blue Cross provides to alternative medicine clinics within the state of California has led to a discount program for insured residents. Acupuncturists, herbal treatments and other alternatives to traditional medicine can be accessed at lower prices under Blue Cross coverage. Business travelers and retirees spending time at another house outside of California can speak with a customer service representative to access approved out-of-network medical services in other states. Members of Blue Cross of California also have access to emergency services around the clock to take care of unforeseen medical problems.

The reason why Blue Cross of California is capable of providing extensive services is a devoted team of insurance specialists as well as a commitment to focused customer-driven solutions. The 7,000 full-time professionals that work with Blue Cross of California provide a high level of customer service and expertise to policy holders confused by the complexities of health care. The employer-sponsored and individual programs offered by Blue Cross are accompanied by state-run programs like Medi-Cal, Access for Infants and Mothers and Major Risk Medical Insurance Program as part of our training program for customer service representatives. The 844,000 members of Medi-Cal and 279,000 children covered under the aforementioned state programs can attest to the helpful assistance provided by Blue Cross of California representatives.

Companies throughout the Golden State entrust Blue Cross of California with insuring their employees. Small companies, freelancers and other individuals participating in burgeoning businesses can join the 1.6 million Blue Cross members that form the company's Individual and Small Group Division. The Large Group Division covers 4.1 million members within companies ranging from 51 employees to 2,000 plus employees. Blue Cross of California divides the Large Group Division into key, major and special accounts to provide better access to groups of different sizes. This latter group spans over educational, government and other services that require massive resources to maintain on a daily basis. The 5.7 million employees and individuals employed under the Small and Large Group divisions have allowed Wellpoint, Blue Cross of California's parent company, to expand beyond the state with a similar level of service.

The specialty services provided through Blue Cross of California help cover every health care issue that comes up in an insurer's life. In addition to basic health insurance, Blue Cross of California provides vision, dental and disability coverage to allow residents to shop for multiple services under the same insurance provider. The network of 465 hospitals and 48,500 physicians in California extends further when customers utilize partner companies under the Wellpoint umbrella.

BC Life and Health Insurance Co. provide management tools and products for individual health issues that help prevent serious illness. The point-of-services products utilized in dentist's offices, pharmacies and therapeutic facilities allow Blue Cross members to update charges on their account immediately. Health maintenance organizations and preferred provider organizations managed by Wellpoint help streamline the application, claims and claims resolution process.

The mountains of paperwork and other information taken on patients by doctors and hospitals need to be reviewed frequently for accuracy. Blue Cross of California has a quality assurance and control process that ensures every detail is correct to avoid overcharging clients. The Quality Assurance Division looks at the suggestions of Blue Cross employees on ways to improve technology including website forms and electronic transfers of information. Doctors, nurses and practitioners that are part of the Blue Cross network can provide input into standard forms, electronic tools and the process of dealing with claims representatives to help change the process. The most important input to the Quality Assurance Division comes from policy holders. Residents that are having a difficult time processing their claim or filling out a special form for their type of coverage can provide input online, in writing and over the phone to bring customer service issues to light.

The attributes of Blue Cross of California mentioned above combine to create a dynamic health care service unmatched in the health care industry. The company's use of customer segments is unique among competitors because it eliminates the feeling by customers of a "one size fits all" solution to health care. Companies that focus on regional care alone may not reflect the dominance of a certain customer segment including the elderly and growing children. Flexible and diverse resources allow a customer to find an affordable health resource without going outside of the Blue Cross of California network. A visit to www.bluecrossca.com shows interested parties the full power of the company's resources.