PacAdvantage is a “purchasing pool” through which employers can offer health insurance through a variety of insurance companies and HMOs. The PacAdvantage “Paired Choice” plans allow enrollment in a Kaiser Permanente health plan and either Aetna of California, Blue Shield of California or Health Net of California. The plan benefits and premium (monthly price) offered through PacAdvantage are slightly different from the benefits offered directly with the health insurance companies. The PacAdvantage Paired Choice plan with Kaiser and Blue Shield is an exceptionally good value and employers considering a small group health insurance plan in California would be well served to look closely at this medical insurance plan. The PacAdvantage Paired Choice Kaiser – Blue Shield plans compare favorably, in terms of monthly premium and plan benefits, to the plans offered directly by Kaiser and Blue Shield.
PacAdvantage Paired Choice – Blue Shield 25 plan offers $25 doctor office visit charges, $250 per day for hospital admission ($500 maximum charge for the hospital) and generic prescription medicine (Rx) for only $10, brand medication costs $25 after a $250 deductible and only formulary medications are covered. This plan generally costs less on a monthly basis for an employer than the Blue Shield of California HMO 20 plan, which has $20 doctor office visits, $750 per admission to the hospital and an Rx plan of $15 generic, $30 brand medications on the formulary and $45 for non-formulary brand medication. The direct Blue Shield plan has better benefits for doctor office visits and Rx, but worse benefits for hospital stays. The PacAdvantage plan is approximately 10 to 15 percent less expensive than the direct Blue Shield plan – depending on where your office is located. PacAdvantage Paired Choice – Kaiser 25 plan offers $25 doctor office visit charges, $250 per hospital admission and generic prescription medicine (Rx) for only $10, brand medication costs $25 after a $250 deductible and only formulary medications are covered. This plan generally costs less on a monthly basis for an employer than the direct Kaiser 20 Copay plan, which has $20 doctor office visits, $100 per day charge for hospitalization ($1,500 maximum) and an Rx plan of $10 generic and $30 for brand medication. The direct Kaiser plan has better benefits for doctor office visits and Rx, but worse benefits for hospital stays. The PacAdvantage plan is approximately 10 to 15 percent less expensive than the direct Kaiser plan – depending on where your office is located. PacAdvantage Paired Choice – Blue Shield 1850 HSA compatible plan has an $1850 deductible for a single employee and a $3700 deductible for an employee with one or more dependents on the plan. The out of pocket maximum on this plan is $3,350 for a single employee and $6,700 for an employee with dependents. This plan generally costs less on a monthly basis for an employer than the Blue Shield of California $2,250 Spectrum Savings Plan (HSA compatible) plan. This PacAdvantage plan has a lower deductible than the Blue Shield plan and costs less on a monthly basis than the direct HSA compatible Blue Shield health plan. The out of pocket maximum on the direct Blue Shield plan is only $3,000 single, $6,000 for a subscriber with one or more dependents. The PacAdvantage plan is approximately 20 percent less expensive than the direct Blue Shield plan – depending on where your office is located. So, if you’re considering group health insurance you may want to consider PacAdvantage Paired Choice with Kaiser an Blue Shield of California. These are summary descriptions of benefits. Please consult the Certificate of Coverage for complete benefit information. |
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California Health Insurance |
Group Health Insurance in California |
Health Savings Accounts | |
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