Health Insurance

I'm looking to have health and life insurance nailed down this month.  I was wondering if anybody had any opinions/experiences on insurance companies good or bad you'd be willing to share.  I've heard humama isn't so good, other than that I DON't KNOW!  I was thinking BCBS...I just don't wanna get a crappy insurance company.  Any thoughts?

I've heard good and bad stories about pretty much every insurance company.

I have BCBS.  It's not terrible, but it's not great. 

Just hope and pray that neither you nor your family really needs health insurance and if your prayers are granted, you'll be fine.

I have Carefirst BCBS.  It's pretty good.  When I worked at a Radiology facility the two cards that made us groan were Optimum Choice and Kaiser Permanente.  Optimun Choice was a pain because there were so many variables as to whether or not the patient needed a referral and based upon where their PCP was located, whether we could even see them.  Kaiser was a pain because everything and I mean everything required a referral so it was a hassle trying to get expensive tests scheduled.

 Nomo, never needing insurance is definately my first choice.  My second choice is still up in the air...still leaning towards BCBS i guess.  Thank you both for your responses.

When I was covered under Aetna I loved it. Rarely had hassles and any billing problems were taken care of promptly. Have BCBS now and haven't had any problems.

I guess I will share my experience too... if you have a choice of Aetna I would chose them. I have never been covered under anyone else except a college program (ugh) and I LOVE Aetna. (Well beside the fact that they are still an insurance company).

They are great about taking claims, they send you (promptly) a statement that says who they paid and how much, and also how much that provider is allowed to bill you. And if there are mistakes (which I have only had one, and it was the hospitals fault) they are super quick to correct. Not once have had a fight with them.

Every other insurance company I have heard mixed reviews about, and most people I know have BCBS and they don't like it because they don't cover much unless you have a super expensive plan, and even then you must jump through hoops. (I am just quoting what I have heard from others, I dont have specific examples off the top of my head right now).

The only problem I ever saw with Aetna was that they needed pre-auth for a lot of tests and other procedures.  It may not be a problem unless you have to have a test that has to be scheduled in advance and Aetna's dragging it's feet for pre-auth.  We had that happen a lot when I worked in Radiology.  My best advice is to look over the literature carefully before you make your decision and be sure you know everything you need to about pre-authorization for tests as well as seeing a specialist, etc.

Echo the Aetna awesomeness.  I wish I still had that insurance, it was the best (probably because my employer paid a lot for it, though).  BCBS has been easy to use, but I think it can be expensive for what you get.  In the 3 years I had them before Aetna, our premium DOUBLED - no health problems, both of us young 20s, humongous deductible, etc.  The employer BCBS plan I have now is a bit better bang for the buck.

Yeah, Humana is awful.  There are a lot of places that won't even accept it.

I had BCBS for a while.  The premiums were really expensive, and I still couldn't go to the doctor if I needed to because I couldn't afford the premiums AND the medical bills.  It didn't cover genetic testing that I needed.  I thought BCBS was a rip-off, but then most private insurance is.

I have BCBS too.  I'm ambivalent.  I'm female/25 and paying $250/mo. just to cover myself and I just found out my plan won't spring for a yearly pap smear.  Ridiculous.  I never cease to be surprised at what I'm not getting for my money.

If I can manage to not get laid off from my job, I'm looking at getting benefits through my workplace in ~6 mo.  Can't wait!

I guess there's not one perfect insurance company or policy.  I see what you all are saying about Aetna and BCBS.  My mother had lung and brain cancer.  Aetna did a good job and she is still kicking 3 years later, but it was quite hard in the beginning because of authorizations.  I've also been looking at the BCBS policies and it does seem like you're paying a lot for not so much coverage. 

Seems like everyone is alright with Aetna...guess I'll check them out. Thanks again.