When you get right down to it, choosing an independent career path is one sure way to feel good about yourself. It puts you in control of your life, your money and your future. Now Blue Shield can help you get healthcare costs under control, too.

Just choose any one of our health plans designed for independent-minded people like you. And, as a Blue Shield member, you can be confident that you'll have the coverage you need, at an affordable price.

Presenting the Shield Spectrum PPO plans.

With a wide range of deductible options, you choose the plan that best suits your needs and budget. Shield Spectrum PPO plans offer more than great choices at a great price. They also offer the kind of flexibility that lets you see any doctor in California. Or save money on your out-of-pocket costs when you choose from more than 45,000 preferred physicians (including specialists) and from over 350 preferred hospitals.

Shield Spectrum PPO plans offer preventive care with preferred physicians for fixed copayments - even before you've met your yearly plan deductible. Whichever PPO plan you decide is right for you, benefits will include:

Annual physical examsMaternity and well-baby carePrescriptions filled at participating pharmacies for $10 per generic prescriptionCoverage for oral contraceptivesChiropractic care *Physician, hospital and laboratory servicesSpecial rates for children through YouthCare$6 million maximum lifetime benefitWorldwide emergency servicesOptional dental coverage at affordable rates* Not available for PPO Plan 5000. This plan is underwritten by Blue Shield of California Life & Health Insurance Company. Shield Spectrum PPO Plans and Access+ HMO are not available to individuals 65 and older.

Shield Spectrum PPO plans are ideal if you want to have the choice and flexibility found in one of California's largest PPO provider networks. At affordable rates, these plans give you the comfort of knowing you have coverage.

Or, if you prefer an HMO plan, you can take advantage of one that offers you the freedom of choosing a specialist without a referral.

An HMO plan that gives you the choice to see a specialist without a referral.

Following your own dream means being free to choose what you want to do. And, with Access+ HMO, you can go straight to a participating Access+ Specialist in your Personal Physician's medical group or IPA without a referral. So you can save valuable time and have easier access to healthcare when you want it. Rates are affordable and there's virtually no paperwork for you to deal with.

Along with physician, hospital and laboratory services, you get benefits for preventive care like physical exams, immunizations, mammograms and Pap tests. Copayments for doctor office visits and preventive care are $20 and you can fill prescriptions at participating pharmacies for $10 per generic prescription (up to a 30-day supply). And our Access+ HMO members can receive built-in dental services through Access+ Dentist without additional monthly dues. Care from participating dentists is at reduced out-of-pocket costs, including diagnostic and preventive services for $20 copayments.

Choosing your own career path means ending up where you want to be. Choosing a health plan from Blue Shield means ending up with the coverage you want, too.

With so many benefits, a Blue Shield health plan is the smart answer for an independent-minded person looking for affordable healthcare coverage. You'll also be satisfied knowing you're getting the quality service that Blue Shield has built its reputation on for over 65 years.

Don't let unexpected illness leave you and your family with costly medical bills. Apply today for affordable healthcare coverage from Blue Shield.

You may access our Web Site here to find out and apply for any of our health plans for individuals and families.