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Blue Cross of California, now offers health coverage designed just for the adventurous 20-30-40 and 50 somethings. Take one look at Blue Cross Tonik Health Insurance and you'll see that it's a no nonsense health insurance plan.

Blue Cross Tonik Health Insurance offers a choice of three simple Individual PPO plans. The application is quick and easy — it's all online and only takes about 15 minutes. In most cases, applicants will receive an immediate decision. And the prices are painless. For 19-29 year olds, rates can be just $69-$142 per month, depending on the plan they pick, where they live, their age and their medical history.* That's not much to pay for some peace of mind — theirs and yours.

Blue Cross Tonik Health Insurance plans provide coverage for the everyday, preventive stuff (like checkups) and the more dramatic encounters (like, dare we say, knee surgery). Blue Cross Tonik Health Insurance plans do not provide maternity coverage.

Blue Cross Tonik Health Insurance plans include immediate coverage for:

Doctor visits — Blue Cross Tonik Health Insurance members pay $20, $30 or $40 to see a doctor, depending on the plan
Generic prescription drugs — only a $10 copay
Emergency room care
Dentist appointments
Eye exams, glasses or contacts

Blue Cross of California has been covering Californians for over 65 years, and their vast PPO network includes over 50,000 doctors and over 400 hospitals. Blue Cross Tonik Health Insurance members also get access to lots of other services to help them stay healthy, and there's even a special Customer Service number just for them.

Apply now for Blue Cross Tonik Health Insurance coverage by clicking the link above.

*Rates are subject to change.

©2006 Zenker Insurance • License #0816394

Blue Cross Tonik Health Insurance Versus HMO. What’s the Difference?

Blue Cross Tonik is unique because it is a PPO that is tailored to the active, young and healthy person. Like HMOs, Blue Cross Tonik health plan can save you a lot of money – but contrary to HMOs, Tonik does not require that you solely see doctors who are In-Network. Although it will save you a lot of money to utilize the doctors who are members of Anthem Blue Cross Tonik’s enormous network, you have the liberty of choosing your own doctors. And, if you want to see a specialist without a referral from your primary care doctor, as long as he or she is In-Network, you will pay the same co-pay you would for regular doctor visits.

Generally speaking, people who choose PPO’s want a good percentage of autonomy regarding their health care. PPO’s give you more freedom to make your own health care decisions.

What is an HMO?
A Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) is a tight assembly of health professionals who work for a pre-agreed, set fee. Unlike traditional health insurance, an HMO sets guidelines under which their doctors can operate.

Some HMOs are a loose assembly of private doctors to agree to see patients for a fee set by the insurance company. These types of HMOs contract local hospitals and health care facilities for their services. Other HMOs are independent entities and all of their staff and doctors are employees of the organization. In this case the employees all collect their paychecks from the organization, and oftentimes the organization even has its own hospital.

HMOs are attractive because they are oftentimes able to offer insurance that is much cheaper than traditional insurance. Their means of keeping prices down is through two factors. First, HMOs contracting with specific health care providers and do business with large quantities of patients – allowing it to have more leverage when negotiating prices for healthcare. Secondly, HMOs reduce costs by eliminating treatments they deem as unnecessary. In short, unlike Anthem Blue Cross Tonik health plans, HMOs are usually very restrictive and have a lot of rules attached to the plan.

The most important difference between an HMO and Blue Cross Tonik health plan is this – you can only see doctors on your HMO list and you must see you primary care doctor first, no matter what is wrong with you.

The reason HMOs advocate this policy is to prevent situations where people go to see an expensive specialist when their primary care doctor could have helped them equally as well – thus wasting the organization’s money. The HMO doesn’t want you, the patient, to decide on how your healthcare should be handled. It wants its contracted doctors to make those decisions for you. In theory this is a good idea. If you have a top-notch primary care doctor, you are set. But, if your primary care doctor isn’t first-rate, you are out of luck. Furthermore, unlike Anthem Blue Cross Tonik, some HMOs are restrictive about changing your primary care doctor. So, if you do not like your primary care doctor you may be allowed to change once, and sometimes even twice – but essentially HMOs don’t like you jumping from physician to physician.

HMOs in a Nutshell
• HMO office visit copayments and other fees are usually very low cost.
• Many HMOs have number-of-patient quotas for their doctors to meet each day. This means doctors who are members of the HMO must see a certain number of patients or they could be financially penalized or warned by the HMO.
• Some HMOs employ what is called Capitation. What this means is the HMO pays their contracted doctors a set amount of money each month for each patient in their practice. This means the doctor will receive the same amount of money whether their patient is well and does not come into the office, or if the patient is sick and makes an appointment. In this case, the doctor clearly makes more money if he sees fewer patients or orders less tests.
• HMOs encourage fewer bed days in the hospital. In many cases, doctors contracted with HMOs will try to give you as few days in the hospital as possible – whether it is warranted or not.
• An HMO will require that any diagnostic or lab tests that the patient needs, is pre-approved by the HMO. If there is an issue that is open to debate, this approval can sometimes take days – or even weeks. However, once the test or hospital stay is approved it will be at little to no cost to you.
• In some cases, the people who make the initial decision regarding your healthcare have limited or no medical backgrounds. Their job is to work in the HMO office and manage patient cases – generally basing their decision on a book of protocols set by the HMO.

Why Do People Choose HMOs?
Being a member of an HMO can be a positive experience if you have a good primary care doctor and don’t mine following the rules. In some cases HMOs are good money-saving choices for people who are young and healthy. However, each HMO has its own set of regulations, and if you have chronic health problems and are resolute about seeing specific specialist or you need numerous tests, an HMO could frustrate you beyond the money you save.

Blue Cross Tonik is a PPO Made For You.
For the young, adventurous person who wants insurance in the case that life throws a curveball at you, Anthem Blue Cross Tonik health plans really offers the best of both worlds. It’s low-cost doctor visits ($20-$40), dental coverage, vision benefits, low co-pay for generic drugs and ER visits, low annual deductibles, and no long-term contract is perfect for the recent graduate or young person who is considering health insurance. But the option of seeing an Out-of-Network doctor is still available to you whether you have an emergency snowboarding in Park City or surfing in Hawaii.

Plus, the 15-minute online application, affordable pricing, convenient online payment options and straightforward benefits make choosing the right plan for you uncomplicated and hassle-free.

Blue Cross Tonik Health Insurance isn’t just a PPO. It’s a Personalized Health Insurance Plan

You’re young. Healthy. Fit. You’re physically active and more adventurous than you’ll ever be. Tonik is a PPO that has a network of preferred providers including over 42,000 doctors and 400 hospitals, with whom Tonik has negotiated in order to provide you with awesome care and stellar services at a much lower cost to you.

All three Blue Cross Tonik plans offer low-cost access to private physician care and even hospital stays. More specifically, Tonik’s Thrill Seeker and Part Time Daredevil plans both allow for up to four check-up style health maintenance visits each year and the Tonik Calculated Risk Taker plan provides for unlimited discounted doctor visits. Having access to Tonik’s enormous network is a bonus – because, although you can choose to see any doctor you’d like, going to a doctor or hospital that is not In-Network could come at a much higher cost to you.

But What Is a PPO?
A Preferred Provider Organization, or PPO, is really a loose collection of private-practice doctors, labs, care facilities and hospitals who contract with an insurance company and accordingly receive an agreed set rate for their services.

PPOs in a Nutshell
PPO’s are less restricted than HMO’s (Health Maintenance Organization), because they have less structure.
• PPOs give you more control over your own health care.  You have the option of seeing the doctor of your choice, whether or not he is on your PPO list. Keep in mind - if you choose a doctor on the PPO list, the cost of the visit is generally covered at a higher rate.
• With a PPO, you do not need to see your primary care doctor before seeing a specialist. This means there is no referral needed in order for you to see an expert in any particular field.
• Co-payments for office visits are oftentimes higher.
• Some PPOs require that you pay a percentage of the cost of lab and diagnostic tests, as well as hospitalization.
• Like HMO’s, some PPOs employ patient quotas and encourage less hospital ‘bed days’.
• As with HMO’s, PPOs hire nurses and medical professionals to handle patient cases as well as make assessments regarding hospital visits and some diagnostic tests. Again, because a PPO will allow you more freedom, you should expect to occasionally fill out claims forms yourself.

Why Do People Choose PPO’s?
Generally speaking, people who choose PPO’s want a good percentage of autonomy regarding their health care. PPO’s are good for people who have numerous health problems, for people who would prefer to try different doctors, or for people who like to get several opinions before choosing a provider. In short, PPO’s cost more money than HMO’s, but comparatively they give you more freedom to make health care decisions.

Get Active – Get Moving.
Blue Cross Tonik’s low-cost doctor visits ($20-$40), dental coverage, vision benefits, low co-pay for generic drugs and ER visits, low annual deductibles, and no long-term contract is perfect for the recent graduate or young person who is considering health insurance. Keep in mind - most health plans do not include dental. Anthem Blue Cross Tonik’s health plans represent one of the first opportunities to purchase affordable health insurance in California with dental coverage as a part of their health insurance plans rather than having to buy into a separate dental policy.

The best part about Blue Cross Tonik Tonik is that it is designed specifically for active people who need health insurance, but hate paperwork and jargon:

• The benefits are easy to understand.
• The 15 minute online application is simple.
• Pricing options are affordable.
• Payments are easy with the E-Payment, E-Check, and credit card options.

Look at it this way – Blue Cross Tonik Tonik could save you a ton of money. Breaking it down to bare numbers, an average day in the hospital costs about $7,175 and if you need to be flown to the hospital it will cost you about $9,000. If you’re covered by Anthem Blue Cross Tonik Tonik and stay In-Network, the most you will pay (depending on the plan you choose) is $1,500, $3,000, or $5,000 plus your monthly payment.

Blue Cross Tonik Health Insurance Rates

Three straight-forward health plans. No catches, no commitments, no wasted time.  And, Tonik carries with it Anthem Blue Cross of California and Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield’s impeccable reputation - offered in California, Colorado, Connecticut, Georgia, Nevada and New Hampshire.

Blue Cross Tonik Rates
The truth is, your ultimate cost for a Tonik plan will vary somewhat based primarily on previous medical conditions, age and zip code. But, the average cost between Anthem Blue Cross Tonik’s three plans range from around $64 - $80 per month. Just log on to tonikonline.com put in your zip code and your age to get an estimate of your monthly premiums. Once you decide which plan you like, simply click on the “Apply Now” button to start your 15 minute online Tonik application.

If Blue Cross of California or Anthem requests additional information in the form of a complete review of your medical history, calculating your premium will take slightly longer. Save that, most of Anthem Blue Cross Tonik applicants who have no previous health conditions, have been approved in just one day.

What’s The Point?                                                                 
You’re young, healthy and active. But life’s curveballs can throw you for a loop and it only takes one bad spill, one slipup, one freak mishap, to put you in a financial vice can squeeze you harder than the tourniquet doctors placed on your arm.

• Spend one day in the hospital: Pay an average of $7,8175.
• Accident on the basketball court: Knee surgery and care costs about $48,302.
• Appendicitis: For surgery and 5 days in the hospital pay $48,151.
• Bad spill snowboarding: Surgery on a leg compound fracture plus 7 days in the hospital could cost about $101,790.
• Accident on the mountain: Air ambulance for flight to the hospital costs about $12,530.
• Ambulance ride: $607
• Ugly landing on the half-pipe: Care for a skull fracture, head injury, intracerebral hemorrhage will cost about $291,305.

General Plan Features
Anthem Blue Cross Tonik has designed its health plans to cater to individuals under age 30, and it offers great coverage for a very good rate.

Rates for people over age 30 are also very competitive but be aware that the underwriting for Anthem Blue Cross Tonik is very strict, and they will only accept very health individuals. All of Tonik’s three plans include office visit co-pays, and  100% coverage after the annual deductible is met. Furthermore, Dental and Vision benefits, in addition to generic pharmacy RX prescriptions, are included in the Anthem Blue Cross Tonik health plan monthly premium.

Blue Cross Tonik covers all ranges of your health concerns by covering most x-rays, lab work, and even certain specialized procedures - all under its office visit co-payment schedule. Once a particular plan deductible is met, all covered health benefits will be paid in full for the remainder of the calendar year.

Plans In a Nutshell
So here they are. Three plans. Same all-around coverage: preventive, emergency, Rx, eyes, teeth.

The Thrill Seeker: Tonik 5000

• In network: Unlimited doctor visits per year
• $40 co-pay
• Dental, Vision, Rx, ER, Preventative
• $5,000 annual deductible
 
The Dare Devil: Tonik 3000

• In network: Four doctor visits per year
• $30 co-pay
• Dental, Vision, Rx, ER, Preventative
• $3,000 annual deductible

The Calculated Risk Taker: Tonik 1500

• In network: Four doctor visits per year
• $20 co-pay
• Dental, Vision, Rx, ER, Preventative
• $1,500 annual deductible

Who Benefits - Breaking Blue Cross Tonik Health Insurance Down

Although Blue Cross Tonik’s health plan may be meant for the young, that doesn’t mean it is start-up in any way. Its participants are smart enough to want to entrust their wellbeing and health care coverage to a company that is first-class and reliable. Tonik is a Blue Cross Life & Health Insurance Co. product, backed by the unbeatable reputation of Blue Cross of California.

Enrolling in one of Tonik’s plans is easy. All three Anthem Blue Cross Tonik health plans feature:

• 100% Coverage after the Annual Deductible
• Annual Pap & Mammogram covered by Office Visit Co-pay
• Office Visit Co-pays that come before the Annual Deductible.
• Visits to any Blue Cross Physician, Specialist or Hospital in California.
• $100 Emergency Room Co-pay.
• A Physical Exam, for which it is not necessary to apply.

Furthermore, the Tonik plan is a PPO, meaning you can see any physician, specialist or hospital within its enormous network of over 42,000 doctors and 400 hospitals.  And you don’t need a referral to see a specialist.

What Does It Cover?
It’s easy. Anthem Blue Cross Tonik covers your eyes, teeth, and body. Its three affordable plans are offered to residents of California, Colorado, Connecticut, Georgia, Nevada and New Hampshire and are tailored for individuals under the age of 30.

Each Blue Cross Tonik health plan covers generic prescription drug purchases and participants only pay $10 per prescription filled. However, Tonik’s plans do not offer coverage for brand name prescription medications. But keep in mind - most health care related pharmaceuticals have a generic equivalent, so just ask your doctor to save you money by prescribing generics.
 
Also, Tonik does not offer maternity coverage, so it is not a fit for anyone considering becoming pregnant.

The Three Plans

The Calculated Risk Taker:
• Starts at $106 per month.
• $1,500 deductible.
• Unlimited general care doctor’s office visits each year for $40 per visit from an in network Anthem Blue Cross of CA preferred provider.
• Generic prescription medications for a $10 co-payment.
• $1,500 calendar year deductible and annual out of pocket maximum - after which the insurance company in essence pays for all medical services.
• ER related care:  $100 co-payments.
• Inpatient hospital stay: $0 after the plan deductible is met.
• In-Network eyes: $50 reimbursement for routine exams, contact lenses or glasses.
• In-Network Dental: You pay $0 for cleanings, exams and X-rays. After you pay your $25 deductible, you'll pay 20% for minor restorative procedures like fillings. Tonik pays up to $500 per year for your dental benefits.
• Out of Pocket maximum (OOP): $1,500 annual deductible.

The Part-Time Daredevil
• Starts at $87 per month.
•$3,000 deductible
• Up to four doctor’s office visits each year at a $30 per visit co-payment when using an In-Network provider.
• Generic prescription medication: $10 co-payment per prescription.
• ER visits: $100 co-payment.
• Inpatient hospital stay: $0, after plan deductible has been met.
• In-Network eyes: $50 reimbursement for routine eye examinations, glasses and or contact lenses.
• In-Network Dental: You pay $0 for cleanings, exams and X-rays. After you pay your $25 deductible, you'll pay 20% for minor restorative procedures like fillings. Tonik pays up to $500 per year for your dental benefits.
• In-Network annual OOP maximum: $3,000. This means, the most you will have to pay is $5,000 along with your monthly payment.

The Thrill Seeker
• Starts at $77 per month.
• $5,000 deductible
• Up to 4 office visits per year with a $20 co-pay per visit.
• Other Professional Services: $0 after you meet your deductible.
• Preventive Care: $0 after you meet your deductible.
• Overnight Hospital Stays:$0 after you meet your deductible.
• Physical/Occupational Therapy, Chiropractic Care: $0 after you meet your deductible with 12 visits maximum.
• Emergency Room: $100 per visit.
• In-Network Eyes : $25 for basic eyeglass lenses and up to $100 toward frames or $80 toward contact lenses every 24 months. Also receive $50 toward an eye exam or to help with the cost of glasses or contact lenses every 12 months.
• In-Network Dental: You pay $0 for cleanings, exams and X-rays. After you pay your $25 deductible, you'll pay 20% for minor restorative procedures like fillings. Tonik pays up to $500 per year for your dental benefits.
• In-Network OOP maximum: $5,000

Is Blue Cross Tonik Health Insurance Right For Me?

You’re not interested in expensive, complicated health insurance. You’re healthy. Young. Fit. And your spirit of adventure and active lifestyle is at its peak. But life is unpredictable. One unexpected injury could result in financial pains that far surpass the injury’s physical pain. When you find yourself in the midst of dealing with an accident, you will wish you had the support that only dependable health care coverage can provide.

Right now there is an affordable health insurance in California that is straightforward, practical and designed to cover your specific health care needs, while saving you money. It is known as Tonik – and it is comprised of three clear-cut health care plans that are customized for your lifestyle. Subsequently, if you happen to be between the ages of 19 -29, plan rates can be as low as $60 - $80 per month.

Blue Cross Tonik Rates are based on:
• The Blue Cross Tonik plan you choose.
• Your lifestyle.
• Your overall health insurance requirements.
•  Where you live.
• Your age.
• Your general medical history.

Who Can Apply for Blue Cross Tonik?
Tonik’s health insurance offering is absolutely progressive. And while its three plans are geared toward designed average every day health, vision and dental insurance needs of adults under 30, every California resident under the age of sixty-five is welcome to apply.  But remember you must be healthy - Tonik is pretty particular about who it accepts.
 
Keep in mind, even though Blue Cross, operates nationwide, the Blue Cross TONIK plans are still brand new and they’re being rolled out nationally on a state by state basis. Currently TONIK is only available to residents of California, Nevada, Colorado, New Hampshire, Georgia and Connecticut.  But, Tonik plans will be available everywhere soon.

Blue Cross Tonik’s plan details and look give it distinction, but its application and applicant approval process are what really sets it apart from nearly every other health plan out there. When you’re out there living a dynamic life, you don’t have time to sit for hours filling out paper work in an office. Applying for the Anthem Blue Cross Tonik plan of your choice is designed especially so that you can do it on your own time – on the web’s ultra accessible paper-free environment. Most Tonik applicants seem to be able to complete the free, quick and easy Tonik application it in less than 15 minutes.

Blue Cross Tonik Rates are comprised of three similar health plans named for the types of young adult users for which they are targeted:

• Tonik: The Thrill Seeker
• Tonik: The Part Time Daredevil
• Tonik: The Calculated Risk Taker

What Plan Is Good For Me?
It’s simple. Those recent college graduates and their peers who are looking for health insurance need only determine into which category they fall – and then apply. Anthem Blue Cross Tonik even offers discounts for those who lead healthy lifestyles.

• The Thrill Seekers: Probably wants coverage in the case of sports related injuries, accidents or other unpredictable medical mishaps, and foresees needing to visit a doctor only a possible three or four times a year.
• The Calculated Risk Taker: This person will be willing to pay a bit more for lower deductibles, unlimited visits to the doctor, and comprehensive accident coverage.
• The Part Time Daredevil: The needs of this young adult will tend to fall somewhere between the other two.

In addition to dental and vision, all Anthem Blue Cross Tonik health plan deductibles do not have to be satisfied in order for members to be reimbursed for emergency room services coming in somewhere over he $100 co-payment amount. Furthermore, Anthem Blue Cross Tonik distinguishes itself from competing HMO and PPO managed care plans by including x-ray as well as associated lab services in the doctor’s office visit co-payment schedule. All three Tonik plans have an awesome $5,000,000 maximum benefit ceiling. And, 100% of all covered health benefits are paid after Tonik’s deductibles have been fulfilled.