Open enrollment for health insurance is here and I need help deciding what to do?

Question

My options are to enroll in a new insurance plan where I am insured thru the hospital where I work called a UMR EPO. This is new and they tell us many hospital organizations are grouping together to insure themselves. They have seperate co pays for Tier 1 and Tier 2 in this program and frankly, I am scared of my options if I became seriously ill. Then I have the option of Blue Cross Blue Shield PPO which is what I am leaning toward because everyone has heard of Blue Cross Blue Shield.
Do you have any idea what I should do? Suggestions. Blue Cross is cheaper then the UMR EPO, I am only insuring myself. No dependents, no husband.

Answer 1

I would be careful about letting cost be a determining factor. While near term savings look good it is what it will cost you when you need care that counts.

This is something to keep you alive. Pick the policy that gives you the most control over your own care. Avoid any policy that requires you to get approval from any one for care - particularly someone that may have a financial reason for keeping you from getting the care.

I always try to get a POS policy without my having to get permission to get a treatment.

Good Luck and good health

Answer 2

I’m a big fan of lists and checklists. Write down what you want from a plan and prioritize the list. Here’s an example:

•Monthly price (premium)
•Yearly deductible (amount you spend before the insurance company will start paying)
•Copay amount (amount you pay per service)
•Coinsurance amount (amount you split with the insurance company – usually a percentage; i.e., you pay 20 percent and the insurer pays 80 percent)
•Freedom of choice (can you visit whatever doctor you want?)
•Preventive medicine and routine doctor visits (does the plan include these?)
•Mental health (included in the plan; copay amounts; maximum number of annual visits).

I might want to check out the roster of health care providers and medical facilities in the epo (exclusive provider organization). EPOs are similar to PPOs except they might be more restrictive in terms of who you can see. As for the BCBS plan being less expensive – do you mean in terms of the monthly payments or in terms of how much they will cover things like diagnostic tests and specialist visits? The EPO might be as good as or better in terms of those kinds of plan coverage options. However, PPOs do provide some coverage when you go outside of the network, whereas EPOs usually do not.

Anyway, I’d always begin with the quality of care and what happens if you had to go outside of the network. I’ve linked to an organization that rates hospitals and doctors.

Why are you frightened about the plan if you became ill?

Good luck,
Barnes@MostChoice
http://www.mostchoice.com/health-insurance.cfm

Answer 3

I would go with Blue Cross too. We have them now and although my husband's employer chose a high co-pay system what we have access to is great. No referrals etc. I see a specialist and I just make my appt and go. We have never had an issue of someone not taking Blue Cross Blue Shield. I love the plan, just hate the way his employer set it all up for them. But, after having an insurance that was accepted NO where. I had to cancel a follow up appt for my daughters surgery because they wouldn't take the insurance. I was soooooo relieved to have BCBS.

Answer 4

IMO - Go with Blue Cross Blue Shield - they have a larger network of providers and a PPO plan is a pretty good thing.

Answer 5

Go with the Blue PPO your choice of doctors and hospitals will be better. And you will have benefits no matter where you are. If you go out of town and you become seriously ill you are covered.

Answer 6

Go with Blue Cross and Blue Shield. You can get network benefits all over the country if you travel, the networks are vast, and they are financially solvent for the most part.

Answer 7

My best guess is blue since I wouldn't want to be limited to the doctors and hospital where you work

Answer 8

Lean towards the one that goes with you should you change jobs.

Answer 9

sure you may. you've had a "significant existence replace" by being married and you may now replace your well-being coverage. different activities: having a toddler/adopting a baby, lack of existence of a significant different, or significant different dropping their coverage (in the journey that they lined you or themselves formerly).