LymeNet Flash: blue cross - blue shield... any good?

This is topic blue cross - blue shield... any good? in forum Medical Questions at LymeNet Flash.

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Posted by VB (Member # 16824) on :

I am interviewing for a new job in the next week, and I found out today that their insurance is Blue Cross - Blue Shield.

Has anyone had experience with this insurance company?

I currently have United Health Care, and they haven't pushed back too much on any of my medications or doctor's visits.

I would hate to accept a better job/position, but lose a decent insurance company that's not causing me any problems.

Any help you can provide is greatly appreciated!

Posted by randibear (Member # 11290) on :

i have federal bc/bs. they pay 80 percent now.

the copayment is going up to 20 and the copay for meds is going up to 40.

i don't know about civilian plans....

but when i was first diagnosed they sent me a letter saying they were putting me in a "high risk" category...

i try to pay for as much as i can and use the base since we're military....

i'd be sure to research as much as possible.

Posted by sutherngrl (Member # 16270) on :

BCBS has worked well for me. My husband is with a very large corporation so that does make a difference. Actually his company is changing over to United Health in January, so I have the same concern as you. Glad you posted that United has worked well for you.

Posted by jenny76 (Member # 18205) on :

I have BC/BS and they cover 80 percent so that is pretty decent. I think that they have a really good reputation.

Good luck,
Jenny

Posted by VB (Member # 16824) on :

Thank you so much for the quick responses.

And am I correct to assume that since I currently have insurance and will not have a "break" in coverage, they will have to cover this?

They couldn't consider this a pre-existing condition and fail to cover it, could they?

Who knows... I very well may not even get an offer--ha! I just want to be prepared though.

Thanks again,
V

Posted by adamm (Member # 11910) on :

They cover my current LLMD and my orals.

Posted by DebAz (Member # 18039) on :

I have personal BCBS AZ insurance as self employed and without them I would be in so deep.. They cover lots of labs and scripts and my doctor.. and.. I recommend them.
D
PS mepron as an example. I get for 35 dollars for a month supply which is 600mg..

Posted by bettyg (Member # 6147) on :

i've had bcbs of iowa forever; former state employee.

i paid $5,000 OUT OF POCKET since they wouldn't pay for llmd appts., treatments, complete body lab testings.

they do pay for meds! i pay $250 MAX; they pay rest.

we pay $800 OUT OF POCKET/FAMILY PLAN; they pay the rest .

they just do NOT PAY LYME EXPENSES!! [cussing]

it's harder than heck FIGHTING TO GET REIMBURSED and using our state's INSURANCE COMMISSIONER DID NOT HELP AS WELL!

Posted by lou (Member # 81) on :

It varies from state to state. Some are for profit and some are non-profit and they all seem to have different rules.

Posted by mojo (Member # 9309) on :

It also depends on if it's an HMO or PPO.

You definately want a PPO.

Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :

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If the job works out (good luck), be sure to find out when the new insurance would take effect.

I've had some jobs where that did not begin until after 3 months of employment.

If that is the case, you can keep your current insurance even after you leave that job - you would have to pay for it on your own, though. When it is time, check with the human resources folks at each place about your coverage - just as any one would.

Be cautious about sharing TMI (too much information).

Pre-exiting clauses that may be in your new policy are, as you mentioned, important to know. However, simply asking about that should be fine. It is a reasonable question that could cover anything from thyroid to an ulcer. Most people have some sort of pre-existing condition.

It is NEVER okay, though, for anyone at your job to ask specifics.

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Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :

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I assume you are being treated for lyme now - but that you are not just starting out with treatment.

Be sure your LLMD (or an equally good one) will take your new insurance.

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Posted by JillF (Member # 5553) on :

i am slowly finding more and more doctors not signing up with bcbs ppo

at first it was every llmd name given to me. not one (even the one or two who took insurance) took bcbs, so all testing/dr appts were out of pocket

now i'm finding regular doctors (ex: primary care, pediatricians, specialists, etc) are not taking bcbs. i also hear almost noone in the mental health field will accept bcbs now either

prescriptions seem crazy. $50 for one month of birth control...wth. if there is no generic, you're gonna pay alot for it

$1400 + $350 deductible for them to cover out of network expenses. the hmo will not cover any out of network expenses (at least they didn't for us)