Blue Cross Health Insurance Changes for Federal Workers Raise Concerns
Reader Comments
BLUE CROSS BLUE SHIELD
It is ridiculous that you find a Dentist to go to that is on your secondary dental plan network, but get charge as out of the network, because you have to go through Blue Cross and Blue Shield first. Then you look to see if that dentist is on BCBS listing and they are not. What do you do? You still have to find a Dentist that is on your BCBS list and make sure that the dentist you picked is on your secondary plan. If not you still pay alot out of pocket. As a single mother with children I can't afford too much out of pocket it is really hurting me financially.
BLUE CROSS BLUE SHIELD
It is ridiculous that you find a Dentist to go to that is on your secondary dental plan network, but get charge as out of the network, because you have to go through Blue Cross and Blue Shield first. Then you look to see if that dentist is on BCBS listing and they are not. What do you do? You still have to find a Dentist that is on your BCBS list and make sure that the dentist you picked is on your secondary plan. If not you still pay alot out of pocket. As a single mother with children I can't afford too much out of pocket it is really hurting me financially.
PPO providers
I have had a number of major surgeries during the past 10 years and I have found that in all cases the doctor of choice was a ppo provider. I live in Columbus, OH
non-PPO
Sometimes you don't thnk if these doctors are non-PPO. If you hasve a scheduled surgery or preventative test and the attending surgeon or anethesiologist is non-PPO you will be billed at a higher rate. If you require psychcological services, You not the provider of service will have to gain approval for treatment. So a person whose issues may include an inability to concentrate or articulate now has to do battle with the insurance company.
hernia operation
What plan is best for someone that needs a hernia operation. I am self only and currently have Connecticare.
NALC, BC/BS, Aetna and GEHA are my other options.
Thank you
BCBS changes
Why is everyone so angry about the non-PPO surgeon change in benefits? Are there that many people out there that just let some random Dr. do a planned out patient surgery, that they dont know if they are PPO or not? I know that if I ever have to have surgery I'm going to know who the Dr. is and make sure they are covered by my insurance. It does say medical emergency or accidental injury does not apply in this change. Medical professionals have all become so blah towards patients these days anyway. We are nothing but $$ in their pockets, and the more of us they can "herd" in and out in one day just means more $$ to them. If it means driving a little farther to get my service covered then thank God the gas prices have gone down!
Look at National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC)
I have been with BC/BS for 16 years - prior to that I was with NALC for 10 years (switched because I was looking for better mental health coverage). I am now going back to NALC because of the rate increates with BC/BS and because of the reduction in benefit coverage - especially surgery with a non-PPO - they will paid NOTHING beginning in 2009. Please go to
http://www.opm.gov/insure/openseason/index.asp and research and be sure what you are getting before it is too late to change. Last day to change is Monday, December 8. 2008.
Blue Cross Blue Shield FEP Standard Option Out of Network Provider Change
This change DOES NOT affect emergency or accident surgery situations. In those cases, the member pays 30 percent of the BCBS allowance plus any difference between the physician's bill and the BCBS allowance.
The amount the member pays to cover the difference between the doctor's bill and the BCBS allowance will continue to be limited to a maximum of $5,000 per episode of EMERGENCY AND ACCIDENT surgical care.
In the case of accidental injury. the costs are the same as for an emergency surgery received from a non participating physican if the surgery is performed within 72 hours of the accidental injury.
Switch to NALC
I switched to the NALC Health Plan this Open Season. I am retired and have never worked for the Post Office. You can be insured by NALC even if you are non-postal. You become an "Associate" member of the union. Their drug co-pays and out-of-network surgery coverage is the same as what Blue Cross used to offer under its Standard Option prior to 2009. Their premiums are much less than those for Blue Cross Standard Option.
Govt. Health Benefits.
All those that are complaining about Blue Cross going up 13%. Did you all forget about OPEN SEASON ??? Take a look at other plans like: NALC Their premimum increase was $5.00 per month and their benefits went up. In other words GET RID OF BLUE CROSS while you still can.
