NGLR: health insurance

KlassyWithaK

My health insurance is up at the end of the month. I got tested for breast cancer at the beginning of September, and I am still trying to figure out how much the insurance company is paying. I have to call them every time I get a bill, because they wouldn't tell me what they were covering. Even then I can't get a straight answer. Now I'm dealing with the hospital because I've paid bills the insurance company has later covered, and I want my money back.

What insurance company do you use, and what is your experience with them? My insurance was really cheap and doesn't have prescription coverage. I don't mind spending a little bit more on insurance if it had good coverage and decent costumer service.  Prescription coverage would be good too, since I take BC.

Alisha_A

I have an employer-sponsored plan at UMR, and I really don't have good or bad things to say. Its decent insurance, some typical oopsies on paperwork now and then but overall just fine.

Jeff & Em

The insurance companies I've had experience with were BlueCross/BlueShield of MA, Caremark, and Cigna.  They've all been through employers or school (BC/BS) and they've all been fine.  I can't think of anything that's really gone wrong with any of them.

One thing I will say is that my experience as a pharmacy tech with prescription insurance sucked every.single.time I had to deal with Harvard Pilgrim.  They were snarky, rude, mean, unhelpful jerks whenever we had to call and I will never use them for any sort of insurance.  The hoops they made staff jump through for their customers were unbelievable. 

KlassyWithaK

Jeff & Em:

One thing I will say is that my experience as a pharmacy tech with prescription insurance sucked every.single.time I had to deal with Harvard Pilgrim.  They were snarky, rude, mean, unhelpful jerks whenever we had to call and I will never use them for any sort of insurance.  The hoops they made staff jump through for their customers were unbelievable. 

Noted. The accounts people at the hospital don't like my company either. I actually had someone from the hospital tell me the insurance company was purposely dragging their heels. She said that they were waiting for me to pay so the hospital would stop asking for the claim. Thankfully the hospital doesn't work that way, and I'm starting to get money back from them for overcharges on my account.

jennyk213

I've had coverage with Blue Cross Blue Shield and Medica (both Minnesota) through employer programs and on my own.  The coverage has varied but I've never had problems with them paying things when they should.

 

fizzybauberswed

I switched to Cigna (individual) in September and so far so good.  The price was decent although I do have a high deductible.  It includes Rx coverage but not for birth control.  I would suggest speaking with an insurance broker to help because there are so many options out there that I found it quite overwhelming on my own.

daisygirl17

welllll don't get me started on health insurance

haha. in MI i had work insurance and it was pretty sucky, but when i moved to the PNW, I got denied by blue cross, lifewise, and pacific source....why? because i have asthma and allergies. 

so...i was forced to get on DH's insurance through his school and pay $550/month....the company they use is aetna and it's actually pretty decent insurance (covers 90% of my doctors visits when i go to my naturopath which i think is awesome)...but it should be for the price i pay!

PurposelyVague

I've only had experience with Regence Blue Shield and Aetna. I know that some providers are now not accepting Regence here... but I never had a problem with them personally. Aetna.. I have to watch their billing, what they pay and what they don't. They have not covered things they were supposed to and I had to fight them on it. Also for bc, they don't cover most name brand prescriptions, only generic.