chiver78
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Post by chiver78 on Oct 18, 2016 18:41:43 GMT -5
so my company was bought this summer, and we will be on the parent company's insurance in 2016. open enrollment is next month, as I'm sure most of you have as well. we are moving from Blue Cross of <state other than MA> to United Healthcare.
what do I need to know about United? I've at least heard of them, so that's a plus. are they good....bad...the worst? obviously I have to take it as its the only option, just wondering what I'm in for.
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busymom
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Post by busymom on Oct 18, 2016 18:45:48 GMT -5
Watch the copays. Even on some of their "high end" insurance, DH's employer's policy has some VERY high copays (as in, don't go to the emergency room or use an ambulance, if you can avoid it).
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saveinla
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Post by saveinla on Oct 18, 2016 18:47:34 GMT -5
I had UHC for 10 years and was very happy with them.
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Anne_in_VA
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Post by Anne_in_VA on Oct 18, 2016 19:09:00 GMT -5
I had them for several years and was happy. We had low co-pays and no co-insurance costs. I think it depends on the contract between your company and UHC as to what you'll pay.
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Gardening Grandma
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Post by Gardening Grandma on Oct 18, 2016 19:30:07 GMT -5
We had UHC before Medicare and now have UHC for our Medigap plan. Total of about 12 years....I've been happy with them. No issues.
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Sharon
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Post by Sharon on Oct 18, 2016 21:52:33 GMT -5
When that was our coverage through work I didn't like them. So many people complained that they switched to someone else. It seemed like I was always having to call them to correct things or to get them to cover things. If I wasn't calling them they were either calling me or sending me e-mails. They were way to intrusive. Don't call me to remind me that it is time to refill my prescription. I am a big girl I will go online and get it done. Don't be calling me either to talk about my health or do a health survey. Pay my claims correctly, promptly and leave me alone.
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justme
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Post by justme on Oct 18, 2016 22:31:12 GMT -5
I've mostly had them, was on a weird group that serviced through bcbs for a year. I've never had much of an issue. But they are mostly all I know.
I do try to get things pre-approved that cost $$$ so there's no surprises. Especially if it's vague. Non emergency mris have required a pre-approval of sorts. Basically calling them and saying I'm getting an mri - it's been a while so I forget the full process. Um I've always had year limits on things like chiropractor and pt.
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chiver78
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Post by chiver78 on Oct 19, 2016 2:36:50 GMT -5
When that was our coverage through work I didn't like them. So many people complained that they switched to someone else. It seemed like I was always having to call them to correct things or to get them to cover things. If I wasn't calling them they were either calling me or sending me e-mails. They were way to intrusive. Don't call me to remind me that it is time to refill my prescription. I am a big girl I will go online and get it done. Don't be calling me either to talk about my health or do a health survey. Pay my claims correctly, promptly and leave me alone. ugh. this is the sort of stuff that will piss me off.
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Bluerobin
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Post by Bluerobin on Oct 19, 2016 7:34:41 GMT -5
I have them for medicare. So far, no problems.
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swasat
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Post by swasat on Oct 19, 2016 8:26:31 GMT -5
I've had UHC for 12+ years. Never had a problem with them, ever. We have very happy.
Easy to reach, fast processing and easy to deal with.
Their network is HUGE and almost every doctor, clinic and hospital within the city covered. Of course, it depends on what your company contracts for and what you plan is, but if its limited, its not on UHC. Its your company and the contract they made.
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Sharon
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Post by Sharon on Oct 19, 2016 8:32:59 GMT -5
The other big issue with UHC in our area is the lack of contracted labs. There was only one or two places you could go to get your lab work done. I couldn't get lab work done at my doctors office. It required a trip to the hospital or this other independent lab.
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alabamagal
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Post by alabamagal on Oct 19, 2016 8:52:57 GMT -5
When that was our coverage through work I didn't like them. So many people complained that they switched to someone else. It seemed like I was always having to call them to correct things or to get them to cover things. If I wasn't calling them they were either calling me or sending me e-mails. They were way to intrusive. Don't call me to remind me that it is time to refill my prescription. I am a big girl I will go online and get it done. Don't be calling me either to talk about my health or do a health survey. Pay my claims correctly, promptly and leave me alone. ugh. this is the sort of stuff that will piss me off. We don't have UHC, but have gone through several other big providers. Since DH has some chronic health issues, they all have tried to put us in programs where they help you track your health. We have got phone calls plus tons of information in the mail trying to get us to get in program to manage his health issues. We have had to ask some to stop calling, we are not interested.
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chiver78
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Post by chiver78 on Oct 19, 2016 8:53:27 GMT -5
our options are the "Green Choice Plus" or the "Blue" plan, if that helps. I need insurance for just me, so the levels are:
Green Blue annual deductible $300 $1500 coinsurance 90/10$ 80/20% OOP max $2000 $3000 office visit co-pay $15/25 $15/25 ER co-pay $150 $150
bi-weekly contribution $43.46 $24.83
thoughts? I need to pull my numbers for BCBS now. I haven't used it much and don't know it off the top of my head.
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swasat
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Post by swasat on Oct 19, 2016 9:05:11 GMT -5
our options are the "Green Choice Plus" or the "Blue" plan, if that helps. I need insurance for just me, so the levels are: Green Blue annual deductible $300 $1500 coinsurance 90/10$ 80/20% OOP max $2000 $3000 office visit co-pay $15/25 $15/25 ER co-pay $150 $150 bi-weekly contribution $43.46 $24.83 thoughts? I need to pull my numbers for BCBS now. I haven't used it much and don't know it off the top of my head. We have something else altogether. Its called just the "Choice Plus" plan. No co-pays for us at all, and ER visit is $75, co isurance is 90/10% with OOP max at $2500. Again, just what my company contracted with them. Unless you have upcoming surgeries, major health issues that require lots of visits and lots of medication I'd go with Green Choice Plus.
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chiver78
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Post by chiver78 on Oct 19, 2016 9:13:15 GMT -5
that's kind of what I'm leaning toward, the Green Choice. I just need to remember to up my FSA contribution if I decide to play hockey this winter. I always fund enough to cover 2 ER trips in a calendar year, just in case. idk, maybe not this time. I haven't needed to use it for an ER visit in a few years now.
but re: green vs blue - yes, the premium is twice as expensive, but it's less than $10/week to possibly avoid a huge financial headache if something does happen.
guess I need to figure out if my dr's on their list.
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Tennesseer
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Post by Tennesseer on Oct 19, 2016 9:22:44 GMT -5
I have them for medicare. So far, no problems. Good to know. I have been on Medicare/UHC since May. Little interaction with UHC other than a 'Hello' visit with my PCP and to get prescriptions renewed under Part D which I do find this Donut Hole' crap confusing. One drug renewel was $93 for three month supply. Nexy drug renewel for same drug was $786 for three month supply. Something to do with the donut hole. Asked PCP to find a comparable generic. He did and the charge was $99 for three month supply.
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ohmomto2boys
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Post by ohmomto2boys on Oct 19, 2016 9:59:08 GMT -5
We have had UHC for 2 years now. No issues at all. Check the fine print on the "green" plan. Our plan covers kids sick AND well visits up to 19 years of age. When I take the kids in for a sick visit the office is always trying to get me to pay the $20 co-pay, but on the card is the fine print saying no co-pay. I can't remember if you have kids or not. Sorry.
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justme
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Post by justme on Oct 19, 2016 10:43:31 GMT -5
It looks like you're savings with the lower premiums don't make up for the higher deductible so I probably wouldn't do it.
I put my savings in my hsa and still have a grand in it. Though, granted, I cash flowed a bit of my expenses outside of it.
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chiver78
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Post by chiver78 on Oct 19, 2016 11:06:48 GMT -5
nope, no kids.
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jeep108
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Post by jeep108 on Oct 19, 2016 11:20:01 GMT -5
I have UHC through my husbands work. We each had a $400 deductible for the year. When I had my biopsy done on my shoulder they cover 90% of it. They are also paying 90% of my radiation. Every time I've called with questions they have been very helpful.
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bean29
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Post by bean29 on Oct 19, 2016 11:21:02 GMT -5
I've had UHC for 12+ years. Never had a problem with them, ever. We have very happy. Easy to reach, fast processing and easy to deal with. Their network is HUGE and almost every doctor, clinic and hospital within the city covered. Of course, it depends on what your company contracts for and what you plan is, but if its limited, its not on UHC. Its your company and the contract they made. Yeah, I work for a small company. I have had a UHC United health care High deductible plan for about 8 years. It has a family deductible, once the family deductible is reached, you have 0 out of pocket Medical costs. Prescription coverage is not very good - pretty high co-pays, but the medical part, I couldn't be happier with.
I agree the network is very large. I can't remember the last time I wanted to see a dr, and they were not in-network. Some walk in clinics are not in network, but I have also figured out if a hospital's emergency room is in-network, their associated walk in clinic is probably also in network b/c they bill under the same taxpayer id.
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swasat
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Post by swasat on Oct 19, 2016 11:25:09 GMT -5
I've had UHC for 12+ years. Never had a problem with them, ever. We have very happy. Easy to reach, fast processing and easy to deal with. Their network is HUGE and almost every doctor, clinic and hospital within the city covered. Of course, it depends on what your company contracts for and what you plan is, but if its limited, its not on UHC. Its your company and the contract they made. Yeah, I work for a small company. I have had a UHC United health care High deductible plan for about 8 years. It has a family deductible, once the family deductible is reached, you have 0 out of pocket Medical costs. Prescription coverage is not very good - pretty high co-pays, but the medical part, I couldn't be happier with.
I agree the network is very large. I can't remember the last time I wanted to see a dr, and they were not in-network. Some walk in clinics are not in network, but I have also figured out if a hospital's emergency room is in-network, their associated walk in clinic is probably also in network b/c they bill under the same taxpayer id.
Again, that because thats how your company contracted it with UHC. If the company wants employee to carry more of the burden for prescriptions, thats how UHC would do it. I have 10% copays for prescriptions. So not much out of pocket. I know I sound like a poster child for UHC , but its true for any health insurance company. What we pay is not on the insurance company, its mainly on our companies on how they contract it with the insurance.
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jeep108
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Post by jeep108 on Oct 19, 2016 11:34:36 GMT -5
My husbands work also has 10% copays for prescriptions with UHC.
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chiver78
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Post by chiver78 on Oct 19, 2016 11:48:12 GMT -5
Yeah, I work for a small company. I have had a UHC United health care High deductible plan for about 8 years. It has a family deductible, once the family deductible is reached, you have 0 out of pocket Medical costs. Prescription coverage is not very good - pretty high co-pays, but the medical part, I couldn't be happier with.
I agree the network is very large. I can't remember the last time I wanted to see a dr, and they were not in-network. Some walk in clinics are not in network, but I have also figured out if a hospital's emergency room is in-network, their associated walk in clinic is probably also in network b/c they bill under the same taxpayer id.
Again, that because thats how your company contracted it with UHC. If the company wants employee to carry more of the burden for prescriptions, thats how UHC would do it. I have 10% copays for prescriptions. So not much out of pocket. I know I sound like a poster child for UHC , but its true for any health insurance company. What we pay is not on the insurance company, its mainly on our companies on how they contract it with the insurance. so is the "coinsurance" where I'd find my prescription co-pay? I only really take one prescription regularly, and the last few years of it I have had a different co-pay each time I picked it up. lol... but those co-pays have not been higher than about $3 for a 30-pill Rx.
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justme
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Post by justme on Oct 19, 2016 12:14:42 GMT -5
Except for my hsa before I hit deductible, I've always had the standard varying co-pays for rx. I think express scripts is in charge of most if not all of their rx coverage.
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chiver78
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Post by chiver78 on Oct 19, 2016 12:36:01 GMT -5
Except for my hsa before I hit deductible, I've always had the standard varying co-pays for rx. I think express scripts is in charge of most if not all of their rx coverage. my brochure says a company called OptumRx. I would imagine I can still use my local CVS though, right?
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wvugurl26
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Post by wvugurl26 on Oct 19, 2016 12:46:03 GMT -5
Optum is one responsible for administering the drug claims, setting up network, etc. If I remember correctly they are a sub of United, ie United created their own PBM to get a slice of that market too. It all really depends on how they set it up which I know isn't the answer you are looking for.
Some allow you to fill at local retail pharmacies in network and others force all maintenance medications to be filled through mail order.
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justme
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Post by justme on Oct 19, 2016 12:46:51 GMT -5
Except for my hsa before I hit deductible, I've always had the standard varying co-pays for rx. I think express scripts is in charge of most if not all of their rx coverage. my brochure says a company called OptumRx. I would imagine I can still use my local CVS though, right? Yea. The only thing is I know on certain meds you only get to fill them like two times at a retail pharmacy before you're forced into the mail one. They say it's for preventative meds but a few of my as needed meds get forced there. I think I had optum when I was on the weird bcbs one.
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chiver78
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Post by chiver78 on Oct 19, 2016 12:49:49 GMT -5
interesting. my prescription isn't one that I fill regularly on a schedule. I wonder how that's going to work. hmm...
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saveinla
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Post by saveinla on Oct 19, 2016 12:53:39 GMT -5
Except for my hsa before I hit deductible, I've always had the standard varying co-pays for rx. I think express scripts is in charge of most if not all of their rx coverage. my brochure says a company called OptumRx. I would imagine I can still use my local CVS though, right? OptumRx is a mail order pharmacy for us. They allow refills through the regular pharmacy but only certain number of times. It's cheaper than the regular pharmacy though.
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