Same networks. Different access. Better pricing.
The carriers are the same. The doctors are the same. What's different is how you access them — and that determines what you pay.
- Regence
- Kaiser Permanente
- Premera Blue Cross
- Regence
- Kaiser Permanente
- Premera Blue Cross
- UnitedHealthcare
- Cigna Healthcare
- Aetna
- Regence
- Kaiser Permanente
- Premera Blue Cross
- UnitedHealthcare
- Cigna Healthcare
- Aetna
- First Choice
- PCHS
- First Health
- Direct Carrier
- Association Health Plans
- Chamber Programs
- Self-Funded ASO
- Self-Funded TPA
- Carrier Level-Funded
- TPA Level-Funded
- Captives
- PEO Arrangements
- Multi-Employer Trusts
- Consortiums
Same care. Same doctors. Different price tags.
Most employers don't realize that Regence, Kaiser, Premera, UnitedHealthcare, Cigna, and Aetna health plans — with substantially the same networks, deductibles, copays, and coverage — can be purchased through completely different channels.
Direct through the carrier is one channel. Association health plans through your industry or professional group are another. Chamber-of-commerce programs, self-funded trusts, level-funded arrangements — each of these represents a different pricing structure for what is, at the end of the day, the same underlying coverage.
The gap isn't in what care you can get. The gap is in what you pay for it — and how many alternative pricing paths were actually explored before the plan on your desk was recommended.