posted
I currently have Healthnet for my insurance and they have been great for the last few years in dealing with my illness. For the most part, they have paid for pretty much everything except for nursing care for my picc line and partial payments for my out of network care.
Now, Healthnet is being eliminated for state employees and now my choices are Anthem Blue Cross and United Healthcare. Does anyone have experience with either one? Any input you can give would be greatly appreciated.
Posts: 157 | From connecticut | Registered: Feb 2007
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sammy
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 13952
posted
I had Anthem last year and currently have UHC. Have had problems with both.
Anthem said that they would pay for IV rocephin then refused the claims after I received treatment. I've been appealed for coverage for over a year. Final determination was made and now I'm stuck with a very large bill. They did cover most all my other medications with no question.
My UHC plan flat out refuses any "injectables". They will not even consider medical records or letters of necessity from my doctor. UHC has also made me change some of my oral meds because their formulary is different. They want to control costs. They do not want you to use brand name drugs when there is a similar generic available. They will force you to pay out of pocket if you want to stick with what your doctor thinks is best. They also want to force you to use their mail order pharmacy. Which is not good for me because my doctor does not like to give more than one refill on meds.
I must say that each plan is different so you may have a very good Anthem and UHC option. Your experience may be completely different than mine.
Posts: 5237 | From here | Registered: Nov 2007
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posted
For me, UHC was the most difficult of any ins. co I've ever dealt with. Disorganized, delaying payments, denying payments, recinding payments.
We now have Anthem which is slightly better in terms of efficiency but not much better on paying "lymie" claims. Posts: 677 | From Virginia | Registered: Sep 2002
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dmc
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 5102
posted
It all depends on the plan you pick NOT the particular company.
Read carefully the particulars. My Anthem plan is much different than my sister's Anthem plan.
Her husband works for a different CT city than my husband retired from.
Just like my husband got to retire at 41 after 20yrs her husband can't until a certain age w/so many yrs. (different unions)
BTW in CT Insurance companies are mandated by LAW that they MUST pay for long term ABXs for lyme if prescribed by a neuro, reumie or ID doctor. (doesn't have to be a CT doctor either)
Posts: 2675 | From ct, usa | Registered: Jan 2004
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posted
Thanks for the replies. My doc is a Rheumy in New Jersey, so I currently have the POS plan with Healthnet, so the long term ABX info is good to know. I had heard that before, but I didn't remember it.
I do agree that it does depend on the plan. Both my husband and I have CIGNA for dental, but what a difference a plan makes. I am leaning towards UHC because the Anthem plan is crazy expensive for the POS option. I thought that because I do not see my doc that often, probably once every 3 months now, that I might actually opt for the basic HMO this time around. Lots to think about. From the replies here, it seems that neither one is better than the other.
Thanks again!
Posts: 157 | From connecticut | Registered: Feb 2007
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