Health Insurance Questions
- Thread starter itsbob
- Start date
GWguy
*
I've had BC/BS for 20 years thru my company. I've never had any issues or regrets. We have a minimum deduction that has to be met before the plan will pay out, and that gets to be a pain sometimes, but overall, I'm happy with them. Had a few major surgeries and had very little out-of-pocket.
cattitude
My Sweetest Boy
What plan? There are so many. Are you getting it through your employer because benefits within the same-named plan vary depending on what the employer chooses to pay. I had Care First, a PPO, (BC/BS) and it was excellent. But the Firm I work for is tremendous as far as what they pay and what the employee's responsibility is.
charlesctygal
New Member
BC/BS is the best. I had Carefirst for several years. Never had any problems with claims or anything. The only thing you should keep in mind is what your employer is willing to pay for this. I worked for one company, where CareFirst was my provider, and I had a $1,000 deductible, because my company didnt want to pay any money, lol! But when I had it through another employer, I only had to pay a very minimum co-pay. As far as everything else, they are one of the best, many, many doctors accepts this insurance throughout the Tri-County area.
BC/BS is good. Not all of their plans have deductables. I had the federal version and liked it. I did, however, find taht Aetna is a cheaper plan and it is pretty much the same as Blue Cross. The biggest difference is that Aetna is regional (but you can always go to an ER anywhere and you're covered) and BC/BS is more nationwide. Aetna also has more dental coverage.
BS Gal
Voted Nicest in 08
That's what we have. Never had a problem.
cattitude
My Sweetest Boy
Excellent coverage
You have to keep in mind that the plan can be the same ..say Care First PPO..but at Company X, you have certain co-pays...certain out of pocket if you go out of network ...and the benefits can be totally different at Company Y.
:shrug: they didn't have dental ins. persay(sp.?) it was discounted services. the only dentist on the list(in st. mary's) was dr. chang
didn't care for the 2 pediatritions I tried (the shah team). my doctor is great. I had to visit the emergency room and now i'm dealing with every doctor that was on duty sending me a bill 
i didn't like the idea of the ins. co. paying bills that i didn't sayed "nay" or "yea" about and now they're telling me i have to resolve it.all that to say--i guess it's a learning process. so you may want to call the ins. co. and ask specific questions.
itsbob
I bowl overhand
The CareFirst (BC/BS) on the list has ours as a HMO..
BlueCross BlueShield is either a basic or Standard option.
Basic you have to use a PPO (Preferred Provider), Standard you can use a doctor of your choice, but if not a PPO you have more out of pocket expense.
Chasey_Lane
Salt Life
I have mixed feelings about them. Over the years I've ran into a few problems relating to them covering services. I've always chosen PPO plans with higher rates. Not sure if their HMO would be different.
donbarzini
Well-Known Member
Annie hit the nail on the head. You can go anywhere in the world and say "I have Blue Cross" and they wheel you right in. Try that with anything else and prepare for "Ummmmmm".......have a seat.
cattitude
My Sweetest Boy
We had the PPO but we had the option to upgrade for $10 a month over the Standard PPO and we didn't have to obtain referrals which was wonderful. We also had a dental plan within that and that okay coverage but we supplemented with Delta Dental. The health coverage through my firm was $160 a month for family...of course, my firm payed a healthy chunk for the rest.
Now we have Unicare. It's okay, I don't like it as well but it works. Price is still excellent ($170/month) and the benefits are very good..but then you really have to examine what YOUR COMPANY's specific benefits package is within the plan.
cattitude
My Sweetest Boy
I don't like HMOs. I want to pick my doctors and I don't mind paying for that.
Chasey_Lane
Salt Life
I've had both PPO and HMO plans. While I like the freedom of a PPO plan, I've gotten better service with HMO plans. I've never had to deal with denied claims or crappy customer service. It has always been my PPO plans that have been horrible.
punjabigyrl
Active Member
Care first BC/BS has been great. I just swithed to the health savings account with care first. I am self employed and i have been extremly pleased with them.
