Blue Care Network keeps Rita Foster well informed about preventive services

Rita Foster — a member since 2004

What attracted me to Blue Care Network was that my out-of-pocket costs were so low. I had been in a PPO. I was pregnant with my first child, and with an HMO, I would be able to go to the hospital and have it all covered.

All of our doctors accepted Blue Care Network. So I thought - why aren't we in this great health plan?

When I first became a member, Blue Care Network sent me a new member kit. It had a member handbook, with an explanation of my benefits and prescription coverage. There was a lot of information about preventive services, which was especially important for me with kids. It was simple and thorough so I could be well informed.

Everything seemed easy because all I had to do was pay the office visit copay. Going from a PPO to an HMO, I was a little apprehensive about referrals. But it turned out to be really easy. I also found myself building a stronger relationship with my primary care physician.

Sometimes I check things on the website at Member Secured Services. I'm able to get a lot of extra added value information. I look up claims or benefits. I can order extra ID cards and change my address. It cuts down on the time I'd have to spend on the phone calling customer service.

Blue Care Network sends me reminder cards for physicals for the kids and immunizations. I love Good Health magazine because of the recipes and tips about colds, the flu and other health matters.

In 2006, I thought about whether I wanted to pick Blue Care Network's Healthy Blue Living. I wondered if it was a plan that was going to be more complicated. I was in an HMO because it was a managed care plan. To me, managed care means you're going to manage your health before your health gets out of hand. On that basis, I thought Healthy Blue Living would be even better. It looks at critical areas of your health.

Before, I felt OK, and so I didn't go to the doctor. With Healthy Blue Living, I have to see my doctor so I could stay in enhanced benefits. In fact, my thinking I'm healthy and the doctor saying I'm healthy and the insurance company giving guidelines for being healthy are three different things.

There were actually some medical issues I started working on after joining Healthy Blue Living. I am down 10 pounds and have kept if off. So I feel like I'm making progress. Losing weight has also improved other parts of my health. If I didn't have a follow-up doctor visit, I probably wouldn't have eaten baked fish and all those vegetables for lunch.

As for my husband, Healthy Blue Living made him go to the doctor, which he never would have done. We just got a reminder letter and he said that he better call the doctor right away and make an appointment. He's lost weight and doesn't have to take cholesterol medicine anymore.

Healthy Blue Living has enhanced my lifestyle.