Scared of picking wrong health insurance!!!!!!?

Question

In lieu of "Sicko", and reading so many horror stories on health care denials, unpaid claims, etc, etc; it really has me scared to pick an individual plan. I keep hearing that most of these "horror" stories, usually involve HMO's. I am going with a PPO, but nonetheless; I'm left pretty nervous. I am a healthy 30 year old, but I really need to vest in some individual insurance. I was thinking about going with BlueCross of Illinois, but I keep hearing (well reading) awful things about BlueCross BlueShield. Does anyone have ANY advice? Should I go with Humana, Aetna, United? I don't know WHAT to do?!

Answer 1

I gotta agree with insurance pickle (love the name). Consider an HSA.  

Online applications are common, but avoid the online giants. Talk to a local agent first.

Don

http://mtnhealthinsurance.com

Answer 2

I am not going to  say I am one hundred percent sure about the answer.Besides it really depends on the personal feelings.SO it would better for you to find yourself.Here is a good resource.http://health-insurance.expert-tip.info/...

Answer 3

The enormous complexity of our health care system makes it difficult to fully answer your question here. I can't quite tell from your question whether you are choosing your insurance from your employer (a group policy) or you are wanting to buy an individual plan. There are pro's and con's to all the plans. If you choose a PPO, you have to be very, very careful. The PPO plan is what can leave you financially ruined. HMO and Managed Care plans can be similar, but those plans have more flexibility IN SOME CASES to pay more if you are treated by a non-contracted health provider. Don't be fooled by people who say a PPO plan is "better". There is no such thing, and in some cases, a PPO can be much worse. In fact, the plans that offer you the most financial protection are HMO and "Managed Care Plans", which are HMO based, but don't require that you only get care in the HMO network. If you are buying an individual plan, you will need to shop carefully, and consider what type of coverage you are getting under the plan. You have to ask questions, and understand the answers people are giving you in response. My basic advice no matter what plan you get is 1. Never get medical care from any doctor or facility that doesn't have a contract relationship with your insurance company. (even if your plan says you can go out of network. Trust me, it's not worth the finanical trouble you will run into)

2. Whenever the doctor says "I want you to go this place" or "I want you to see this doctor" or "we need to take these tests" you have to STOP, and check with your insurance company FIRST that 1. the place, or tests the doctor is ordering will be covered, and 2. that the place or the tests or the surgery do not require any pre-approval or referral BEFORE you have the services performed. This is the only way to protect yourself from financial ruin.

And these rules should be religiously followed, even if the testing center is just "down the hall" from the doctor. Sometimes the only reason the doctor is sending you there is because he owns a piece of that laboratory or he plays golf with the owner every Friday. It's nice to think the doctor has only your best financial interests at heart, but it's not the case, and in fairness to the doctors, they can't possibly know all the limitations, and coverages of all the patient's they see every day -- that's up to you, the person that knows nothing.

The healthcare system is a national disgrace, enormously wasteful, dysfunctional, and full of financial traps.  Good Luck

Answer 4

I’m afraid it’s hard to answer your specific questions online, since you don’t mention what state you’re living in.  Each state has its own health insurance market with its own insurance carriers and laws regulating the way that health insurance companies can do business.

But if you’re buying health insurance on your own (rather than getting it through an employer) then the best thing you can do is to talk with a licensed agent who knows the market in your state.  A good agent representing more than one health insurance company can address your concerns, help you understand your options and work with you to find the right plan for your needs and budget.

If you want to do some more research online about the health insurance companies in your area, you may want to visit eHealthInsurance.com (where I work).  In many states we even list customer reviews of the plans we sell.  You might find that especially helpful, it sounds like.  Through our site you can also compare plans side by side and apply for coverage online.  And we have licensed agents you can talk to at 1-800-977-8860.

Also, BCBS of IL has earned excellent rating from National Committee for Quality Assurance. NCQA Accreditation is used by most of the nation's Fortune 500 employers, federal and state governments, and consumers like you to help select among competing health plans. Only NCQA's Health Plan Report Card is based on a rigorous evaluation of clinical quality, member satisfaction and a comprehensive assessment of key systems and processes.

Good luck!

Amir M, licensed agent

Answer 5

Avoid your 2nd answer as they're just trying to get your information to sell it.

Other than that stop being afraid of HMOs.  Your same doctor probably takes the HMO version and the PPO version of the same plans.  HMOs are just inconvenient when you need to get referrals.

The plans you mention are good.  Don't sit and do nothing and wait for something to happen.  Get one and if you made a mistake apply for a different one.

Get an HSA through one of them (or I should say at least consider it).  Just avoid spam sites that provide NO information and just collect your information to sell to agents.  The problem with that is that while your information may go to respectable insurance brokers, it will also go to discount card places and companies like NASE -- both of which you should avoid.  Look up "illinois health insurance broker" and try to find an indiviudal broker that sells there.  Don't go through a big online insurer because they won't provide you any advantage and don't try to go direct because that also won't provide you an advantage.  

Good luck,

Jeff

Answer 6

Try this one - http://healthplans.bebto.com - I personally have their health insurance.

It is affordable and has good coverage.

Answer 7

okay let me clear the air here.... michael moore simply tells one side of the story. i know this for a fact, as he highlighted a person who has insurance through the company i work for and i am familiar with that persons case. he simply lied.

everyone hates HMOs because they simply do not USE them correctly. i have an HMO and i LOVE it. if you live in a rural area its obviously not for you. the bottom line, you will pay WAY more out of pocket on a PPO then you would an HMO.

you will read good and bad reviews about EVERY insurance company out there. they are not out there to scam you. the majority of the press is a result of people who are simply ignorant and dont know how to use their benefits. an insurance company doesnt deny claims just cause they feel like it. theres a reason for it, otherwise they wouldnt be in business.

if you are so freaked out about it, contact an agent in your area who specializes in this and has a license to point you in the right direction.