Please recommend your health insurance

hunnygirl · June 2011

Hi Ladies!

I posted this on MM, but then I realized that I usually don't have anything to say and that is why I don't post. Since you all seem nice and helpful maybe this will help me make my way out of hiding. (Shout out to Vikki because I see you always comment on a lot of stuff and seem nice-thanks for posting to me!)

DH is starting a new job where he is given an allowance or stipend or whatever it is considered toward health insurance. I am now trying to decide what company is best. Any ideas? I am thinking we'll look into getting medical, dental, and I want to consider maternity because I have heard you need it for a year before you have a baby. (We don't plan to TTC for a few more years.) Thanks for any suggestions!

the domesticated newlywed · June 2011

Do you want to pay high rates and have more options ( ppo ) or lower cost and fewer selections of doctors ( HMO ) ? Weve had aetna, bc bs of Ma, and UHF. I liked UHC the best !

mlveynar · June 2011

I have Aetna HMO, and for me, it's fine. Low(ish) deductables. The only thing that might be an issue for you is that they only seem to want to cover generic meds, like for bcp and stuff.

I don't go to the doctor a whole lot, so basic insurance is fine for me. I don't know what it would be like if I were to have a baby (which we are not going to do).

hunnygirl · June 2011

I will check with my dentist as she said she can only accept one over the other (and I don't remember which one). I'll look into UHC (or UHF?) and Aetna.

tonesq · June 2011

I don't think anyone can accurately answer this question without comparing plans that are offered to you. A private (individual) plan will be different than any group plan like what you would get through an employer. Also, different individual policies has different exclusions. So you should get quotes from the different companies and compare what they offer. A group policy is always preferable, if it is available to you. For example, DH used to have coverage through the federal government under UHC. It was amazing coverage and premium was not too high given we are a family of four. But think of how many people the federal government covers. I am sure they spend millions of dollars a year with UHC. Now DH has UHC, but through a law firm that employs about 300 people. The coverage is definitely not as good because the law firm is coming to the insurance company with a lot less money. You need to look at the preexisting condition time perid, the premium, copays and deductible, behavioral health benefits, pharmacy benefits, annual max, lifetime max. If you are going to be tic you need to look at maternity coverage. If you go to the doc a lot you really need to look at preexisting condition limitation, especially if you don't have health insurance and have not had health insurance in the last 62 days.

tonesq · June 2011

Sorry for the lack of formatting. I am nesting from my iPad.

OSUWifey09 · June 2011

I agree with pp - the variables can be so different for you that what works for one may not work for you.

I had BlueCross/BlueShield through my employer, and it was OK. The premium per month was ridiculous once JJ came into the picture, but it covered a lot more than I thought. Now I'm on H's military insurance [Tricare], which has been interesting to transition to since not a lot of providers are in my non-military town, but I've had no complaints so far.

Vikki2pay · June 2011

Thanks hunnygirl, I try Embarrassed

And we have Aetna HMO with a low deductible, so it works out great. We both had the HSA account, it worked and if you have a lot of health problems it's a good thing to have because the deductible was about $2500 for the both of us but once we hit it, everything was included and I mean everything.

Five_letter · June 2011

I'm the worst when it comes to insurance stuff. I've asked a friend from another board to stop by and attempt to help, she works in the insurance industry.

amethyst1220 · June 2011

What tones said, there are so many variables. So his work doesn't offer any group plans? Huh, weird. Fwiw, I have a bc/bs ppo and am happy with it. Good luck!

hunnygirl · June 2011

amethyst1220:
What tones said, there are so many variables. So his work doesn't offer any group plans? Huh, weird. Fwiw, I have a bc/bs ppo and am happy with it. Good luck!

His new boss (owner of the company) has/had cancer so group rates would be too much.

You are all right, there are a lot of variables.

What about this: Are you happy with the insurance provider you have (Aetna, Blue Shield, etc.)? I know there are always those who like a company and those who don't, but maybe that will help me narrow down companies.

Vikki2pay · June 2011

I've never had issues with Aetna, they've been really good so far.

aligator423uf · June 2011

I have BC/BS and I love our plan, we haven't had to pay for any prenatal stuff, and our regular deductibles are pretty low. We have vision and dental through Aflac, which I like for both. You should look into Aflac for short term disability for maternity leave.

Also, since you live in CA, I would look into state programs as far as maternity leave goes. There is some girl on our July bump board who lives in CA and she is always saying how she doesn't get why we're worrying about maternity leave because her state pays for leave. I'm not sure if she's just confused, or if they really do, but that's one less thing you have to worry about if it's true.

Please recommend your health insurance

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