Bluecross and Blueshield insurance

[happygirl]

My hubby started a new job and they offer bluecross insurance. It's 46.00 a week for all of us 2 adults 2kids. It has a 750.00 deductible. Is BlueCross a good insurance company?

 

[raysnkaysmom]

My hubby started a new job and they offer bluecross insurance. It's 46.00 a week for all of us 2 adults 2kids. It has a 750.00 deductible. Is BlueCross a good insurance company?

I vote HECK YES... My company switched us to United Health Care and I've never been so frustrated with an insurance company before... I'd give anything to go back to BCBS.

 

[C.Ann]

They vary - from area to area - plan to plan..

Mine is not good - but it's certainly better than nothing..

Congrats on having insurance!! No one can "afford" to be without it..

 

[ReneeA]

They offer about 1000 different plans ranging from great coverage to barely better than no insurance at all. Ours falls in the second group, unfortunately.

Read your paperwork really well in order to find out just what kind you have.

 

[CajunDixie]

BC/BS is good for the patient but sucky for the provider. They usually pay ambulance bills at 80% since we will not sign an agreement with them. If we did sign an agreement with them we'd only get 33%.

 

[Lintasare]

They offer about 1000 different plans ranging from great coverage to barely better than no insurance at all. Ours falls in the second group, unfortunately.

Read your paperwork really well in order to find out just what kind you have.

Another thing to remember is that BC/BS itself does not set the benefits. That is done by the group purchasing the plan. For example the BC/BS plan I work for holds a McDonalds account and they don't cover anything for obesity or diabetes. And WalMart I think doesn't cover things like family planning, but that may have changed.

 

[Nancy]

I vote HECK YES... My company switched us to United Health Care and I've never been so frustrated with an insurance company before... I'd give anything to go back to BCBS.

what is wrong with United? I've heard some things so I'm curious.

 

[Nancy]

Another thing to remember is that BC/BS itself does not set the benefits. That is done by the group purchasing the plan. For example the BC/BS plan I work for holds a McDonalds account and they don't cover anything for obesity or diabetes. And WalMart I think doesn't cover things like family planning, but that may have changed.

That is pretty much how it is with all insurance. There is no one set plan...each group gets to customize their plans. If they are self funded they can over whatever hey want pretty much however they want.

 

[MoniqueU]

Our share of cost for blue cross blue shied is 700 a month. Just be thrilled you got such a good deal. My er copay is 100 bucks and I have been 3 times this month I would of met your deductible in 2 weeks this month LOL.

 

[bigtinkfun]

For example the BC/BS plan I work for holds a McDonalds account and they don't cover anything for obesity or diabetes.

Well, now, that's irony for you, eh?

 

[Aimeedyan]

My experience with BCBS is likely to be different than yours because the plans vary so much from place to place. Mine has been okay, I've run into some issues but I have some ongoing medical issues and deal with insurance more than the average person.

Prior to BCBS I had United, which was heaps better to deal with - no issues at all.

It really varies by plan.

 

[DebbieB]

I used to have United Health Care. I was always having hassles. My company offered Blue Cross about 3 years ago and I switched (Blue Cross of MN). Haven't had any problems.

 

[Erin1700]

Our BC/BS is terrible. The deductible is huge. I know it is set by the employer but I hate it.

 

[lsyorke]

Check the hospitals/doctors that you would go to...many have dumped bc/bs and no longer accept it. I know that my hospital doesn't take it and the majority of the docs there no longer participate either because the reimbursment was so bad.

 

[laurie31]

Yeah, it's all about the individual plan. Back in "the day" (lol) Blue Cross was the gold standard here. THen came the HMOs and PPOs and whatever else...and now you can't tell if you've got what people here call "real" Blue Cross, or a Blue Cross HMO or PPO. Or something else.

When DH and I married (16 years ago) he had Blue Cross. It was an amazing plan that covered everything. Now it's all different, and although still called Blue Cross, it's a plan that's barely enough to keep us from going bankrupt if something serious happened, and we pay several hundred out of pocket every month for prescriptions. I now have something called a Consumer Driven Plan, which is also administered by Blue Cross, but my gosh it's a nightmare to figure out. DD had a very minor ER visit back in January and I am still paying bills, because no one can figure out what I actually owe. I tried to pay the radiologist earlier this month, and they said to call back in two weeks, that the bill I had was for the wrong amount. They were going to try to get with BC and find out what the reimbursement was and find out what I really owed. Ugh!

Blue Cross itself is a good company, but your company's plan can range from awesome to a giant Hoover, if you get my drift. Read the fine print and see what's covered.

 

[Pin Wizard]

I loved them when I had coverage with them in FL. They paid absolutely everything related to my pregnancy!

 

[SereneOne]

I hate BC/BS. DH's company just switched from Aetna (perfect insurance if there ever was one!) and it has been nothing but a hassle. Our daughter has Medicaid as secondary because she is disabled and recieves a small check from SSI. BCBS has given us nothing but the runaround by not covering her surgeries, etc. saying that she has other insurance. They have been informed numerous times that it is Medicaid which is ALWAYS secondary. My husband finally drove to their corporate offices in Columbia and demanded to see someone, who supposedly straightened it out. They better have because next it will be me handling it. You hear of some crazy redhead chained to their building making demands, that will be me.

We pay about 300 a month and then have a 20 copay for docs, 35 for specialists, etc. I don't recall what our deductible is, our daughter usually uses that all up before we need to see a doctor.

Aetna was the absolute best. I miss them however I am thankful to have insurance. I know what it is like not to have any.

United was horrible too when DH worked for another company.

 

[mlynn]

My hubby started a new job and they offer bluecross insurance. It's 46.00 a week for all of us 2 adults 2kids. It has a 750.00 deductible. Is BlueCross a good insurance company?

It sounds good to me. My husband has Bluecross and pays over $600 every two weeks for it.

 

[LisaNJ25]

We have had it for for 10 years and no complaints. We pay $100 a month with a $10 deductible. Up until a year ago we had no co-pays.

My toddler went to the ER 2 weeks ago and needed stitches.. after the plastic surgeon stitched him he told us he didnt take out ins. I was nervous especially when I got the $1700 bill. HBCBS has already paid the claim in full.

 

[61292cna]

As PP have said it depends on the plan. A BCBS PPO is great you choose your own Dr. & don't need referals for specialists! Our is an 80/20 plan with $20 copay for Dr., & $10 copay for meds, &50 copay for emergency room( if not admitted). On the downside for non contracting Drs. & hospitals or meds not on their drug list the copay can go quite high. Also except for reg. Dr. visits they do always try to find any other Insurers to pay first but do pay in a timely manner. I have heard many horror stories about BCBS & others HMO's, mostly involving having to beg insurance beauracratsfor needed care, so before you commit, make sure you know which you're getting! We love our BCBS PPO & wouldn't switch. Hope this was helpful even though it is very long.