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About Our Care & Networks

Your health insurance needs are as unique as your business. That’s why employer groups depend on Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas for our expertise, quality, and options across a range of price levels.

Every day, we earn our reputation for generating sustainable cost savings, and offering networks of providers dedicated to quality and healthy outcomes.

We Innovate with Purpose

We’re constantly evolving our products to reach even higher standards for care, quality, affordability, and accessibility. We drive innovation from a deep integration of advanced analytics, expert insights, and leading-edge technology to advance better health outcomes for your employees. From digital tools and mobile applications to incentive programs and groundbreaking coverage options, we are transforming the health care industry as we enable better health, smarter care, and more meaningful connections between our members and providers.

The Blue Distinction Program

Blue Distinction® is a designation given by Blue Cross and Blue Shield (BCBS) companies to health care facilities that have demonstrated expertise in delivering efficient, high-quality care with proven results, lower readmission rates and fewer complications across 11 areas of care.

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Blue High-Performance Network® (BlueHPN®)

Designed to deliver greater value for companies and employees, the Blue High-Performance Network (BlueHPN) gives employees portable access to care across 65+ major markets—more markets nationwide than competitors.

  • Employers that choose BlueHPN average more than 10% in additional savings1 as compared to our already industry-leading PPO.
  • Providers in BlueHPN are measured on a consistent set of quality metrics across four key domains2.
  • Discover why businesses looking to tailor a cost-conscious benefits package with access to high-quality health care services choose BlueHPN.
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Total Care

Total Care is a national designation program that recognizes providers for their efforts in coordinating total patient care and focusing on wellness and prevention. Blue Cross and Blue Shield (BCBS) Plans partner with these providers to improve health outcomes for members and curb the rising cost of healthcare.

Most Total Care programs are primary care models. Providers belong to Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs) and Patient-Centered Medical Homes (PCMHs). The ACOs and PCMHs must perform against both quality and cost outcome targets to receive incentives and rewards.

Employers have the flexibility to provide 2 or 3 configurable tiers or custom benefit designs, effectively steering members to designated providers.

Explore PPO Plans

Blue Choice PPO℠

Best Fit: All Group Sizes

Blue Choice PPO gives your client's employees access to participating hospitals and facilities throughout Texas and more than 800,000 doctors and 6,000 hospitals contracting with Blue Cross and Blue Shield nationwide.

Explore HMO Plans

Blue Essentials HMO℠

Best Fit: 51–150 and 151+ Employees

Blue Essentials supports a cost-savings strategy. This HMO plan helps groups reduce health care costs while still offering their employees access to a statewide network of health care providers.

Blue Essentials Access HMO℠

Best Fit: 51–150 and 151+ Employees

Blue Essentials Access is an open access HMO plan that provides benefits to your employees when they receive services from providers in the Blue Essentials network. Plus, your employees are not required to choose a PCP or receive referrals for services with this plan.

Blue Premier HMO℠

Best Fit: 151+ Employees

The Blue Premier HMO is a smart netwwork where members choose a PCP from a network of contracting doctors in the DFW, Austin, San Antonio and Houston areas to help them coordinate their care and make informed decisions to reduce costs and improve their wellbeing.

Blue Premier Access HMO℠

Best Fit: 51–150 and 151+ Employees

Blue Premier Access is an open access HMO that provides benefits when services are received from providers in the Blue Premier network. Your employees get predictable copays and are not required to choose a PCP or receive referrals for services.

Blue Advantage HMO℠

Best Fit: 2–50 Employees, 51-150 Employees

Blue Advantage HMO is a broad statewide product. It's a cost-effective network designed to provide affordable, quality health care services. Medical benefits are at a lower cost when employees access care through a participating network provider.

Explore EPO Plans

EPO for Self-Funded Groups

Best Fit: 500+ Employees

BCBSTX offers an EPO product for self-funded employer groups with more than 500 employees. EPO's network of statewide providers, including physicians, specialty care providers, hospitals, and other health care facilities and practitioners, have contracted with BCBSTX to provide health care services at the best rates.

1 Savings are based on Consortium Health Plans analysis, 2019. Savings are on average and assume 100% enrollment. Results will vary based on employer locations and implementation.
2 Measures align with those being utilized by credible industry organizations, including American Hospital Association, Catalyst for Payment Reform and America’s Health Insurance Plans.