Already Blue Cross has around 33,000 - many mothers with children. Our target market has been families who are enrolled in the former AFDC, says Lisa Mee-Stephenson of Blue Cross. The basic change enrollees will find is working through their primary medical physician or clinic for all their primary medical care says Mee-Stephenson. To see a specialist the member must go through their primary care physician. Both health plans emphasize the fact that they have a broad network of neighborhood physicians, a 24-hour nurse care hotline, well baby services and immunizations and access to emergency care when needed.
Plans have dental services, eyeglasses and family planning as well.
Each says they have a local network of speciality care that should eliminate long waits for service - a major problem with the old system. Health Net has over 500,000 members statewide in the state MediCal plan. Prevention of health problems is the by-word for these health plans as evidenced from Blue Cross sponsorship of the upcoming Asthma Fair aimed at controlling asthma in children. Also offered will be a telemedicine program that will use computer technology and Blue Cross network to help physicians expand access to quality healthcare. Residents of these rural communities often wait three to six months to see a specialist for several reasons.