Plan Benefits: Your Comprehensive Guide to PCBDs & Medical Cost Shares (2024)

Welcome to Covered California Enrollment Center Fresno. As you embark on your journey to secure health coverage, it’s essential to understand the various benefits and cost-sharing options available. Our curated guide, complemented by a detailed table, aims to simplify this for you.

Patient-Centered Benefits Designs (PCBDs)

Patient-Centered Benefits Designs are the heart of Covered California plans. These designs focus on creating benefits that cater to the patient’s needs, ensuring you receive the best possible care tailored to your requirements.

Key Features of PCBDs:

  1. Tailored Coverage: Every individual and family has unique health needs. PCBDs ensure that the plan you choose is suited to your health requirements.
  2. Cost-Effective: By focusing on patient needs, these plans often lead to better health outcomes, preventing unnecessary costs in the long run.
  3. Empowerment: PCBDs are crafted to give you more control over your health decisions, ensuring you always have a say in the treatment you receive.

Medical Cost Shares

Understanding how cost-sharing works is crucial to making an informed decision about your health insurance. With Covered California plans, you’re never in the dark about your medical expenses.

Breaking Down Medical Cost Shares:

  • Deductible: This is the amount you’ll pay for covered health care services before your insurance plan starts to pay. For example, if your deductible is $1,000, your plan won’t pay anything until you’ve met your $1,000 deductible for covered health care services. There are certain essential health benefits that generally do not require you to meet your deductible before you receive coverage:
    1. Preventive Services: Most preventive services like vaccinations and screenings are usually covered without requiring you to meet the deductible first.
    2. Primary Care Visits: Many plans offer  primary care visits prior to meeting your deductible.
    3. Urgent Care: Similar to primary care visits, some plans might cover urgent care visits without requiring the deductible to be met.
    4. Prescription Drugs: Some plans might offer prescription drug coverage that isn’t subject to the deductible.
  • Co-payment: This is a fixed amount (for example, $15) you pay for a covered health care service, usually when you get the service. The amount can vary by the type of service.
  • Coinsurance: Your share of the costs of a covered health care service, calculated as a percentage (for example, 20%) of the allowed amount for the service. You pay coinsurance after you’ve met your deductible.

Your Benefits Table: A Snapshot of Your Coverage

Our detailed table outlines each plan’s benefits and cost shares, giving you a clear snapshot of what to expect. This table is your roadmap to deciphering the nuances of each plan and helping you make an informed choice.

Tips for Using the Benefits Table:

  1. Start with Your Needs: Before diving into the table, jot down your health needs and priorities. This will help you filter through the options more efficiently.
  2. Compare Side by Side: Look at plans side by side to compare benefits and costs.
  3. Ask Questions: If any aspect of the table is unclear, don’t hesitate to reach out. We’re here to guide you every step of the way.

Remember, choosing a health plan is a significant decision. Take your time, understand your options, and always prioritize your health needs. We’re here to assist and guide you towards the best choice for you and your loved ones. Welcome to the first step in your health journey with Covered California.