kaiser permanente vs. blue cross PPO medical insurance....any advice?
407037
Check with the physician or clinic which you use most often for medical care.  They usually have people who handle insurance claims, and those people will know which covers more or which may be slow to pay. If your insurance is to include pharmacy benefits, also check with your pharmacis. ~Rosie~
1086248
I applied for Mega Life and Health Insurance. For starters it was expensive. I expected to pay about $300 a month. It took 3 months to get my policy. The monthly payments were to be automatic drafts from my checking account but they would not take a debit card. They wanted a credit card. I don't do credit cards. The payment went up $30. because my doctor said I had high blood pressure. I just took my blood pressure - 110/75. I don't have high blood pressure and told the dr. he caused my insurance to go up. So I cancelled them. Plus my doctor was not on their list. You have to call them everytime you got to a doctor to get their OK. Too much hassel.
608229
May I suggest to you Ameri Plan's discount benefits program. They do not have any restrictions on ongoing conditions and you can start saving immediately. There is a hospital advocacy program that assigns you a personal advocate to negotiate with doctors on your medical bills.\n\nThe plan also includes savings on dental, vision, prescription and chiropractic care. I'd check them out. I'm so proud to be with them. I know I shouldn't advertise, but your need sounds great. Let me know if you have any questions. wlakin@ameriplan.net\n\nhttp://www.mybenefitsplus.com/40378118.....\n\nWe are currently running a promotion for just the dental, vision, prescription and chiropractic plan where you can try it out for 3 months for $23 total. This is a great service. You should check it out!
875444
Here's a good article for choosing a health insurance plan:\n\nhttp://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art31285.asp
1137306
A lot depends on your situation. According to a Kaiser Family Foundation study, the average individual health insurance premium is $173. Of course, premiums depend on what kind of plan you have, where you live, your age and sex, medical history, and other factors. For example, another KFF study found that a 25-year old would spend $57 a month for a Washington HMO policy while a 60-year old would spend $205 for an identical policy. A few states do not allow health insurance companies to charge more based on age. And the average monthly premium in California is about $211 – about $40 dollars above the national average, according to California Healthcare Foundation. Moreover, some medical conditions can increase premiums by 20 to 80 percent.\n\nOne of the great benefits of a group health plan, like one you’d get through work, is that they offer more protection (under federal HIPAA and state regulations) and it’s easier for you to be accepted. For example, if you have insurance through work, develop a medical condition, and switch jobs, you have to be accepted by your new health plan and you can count the time you were with your old plan against any waiting period required under your new plan. Also, group health plans give you more for your money.\n\nWhen I was younger, I went to only to non-routine doctors visit in more than 10 years, so financially I would have been better off with more money in my pocket and a less robust health plan. However, there is peace of mind that comes with quality medical protection.\n\nMostChoice.com has a free and easy way to find out all about health insurance. You can get free policy descriptions and pricing estimates through the site. More importantly, you can talk with state-licensed insurance agents near you. You just fill out a short form and local agents contact you within 48 hours. It’s a stress-free way to shop for health insurance and a great way to find out answers to tough health insurance questions.\n\nYou can find it here: http://www.mostchoice.com/health-insurance.cfm\n\nHope this helps,\nBarnes@MostChoice.com
470048
I had to go shopping for health insurance recently and got a lot of quotes with all kinds of options. Private pay - like what your asking. If your not over 40, healthy, don't smoke or have any special needs, then our situations are similar and I can tell you what I was impressed with. Out of 8 bids from various national company's; The two best were Mutual of Omaha and American Family. MofO was very impressive with coverage, additional free benefits and low cost riders like glasses and dental. American family was the same with an added benefit of a high yield health savings account that can be used as a tax deduction. Both had low deductables with free well care or low co pay well care, and were well under 200 a month not including riders. Good luck.
859429
If you are self employed, you and your husband could get a health insurance plan through an agent in the yellow pages - look under "health insurance" and request quotes and plan comparisons. \n\nSome plans are affordable - Blue Cross/Blue Shield and Aetna. But you could compare plans and quotes online through reputable health insurance quotes services. That way you can review the plans at your convenience with no pressure.\n\nTwo of the leading health insurance quotes providers are:\n\n1) InsureMe - they give you up to five free health insurance quotes from top-rated health insurers nationwide. To Request a free, no obligation quote, Go to - http://www.insureme.com/landing.aspx?Refby=613598&Type=health\n\n2) eHealthinsurance.com offers you side-by-side quote comparisons from a large network of health insurers across the country. eHealthinsurance has more than 900,000 clients in the U.S.\n\nReview all Exclusions inlcuding any Pre-Existing Conditions Exclusions before you buy. Also, understand how the Co-Pay works so you know how much you'll pay out-of-pocket per claim.\n\nAlso, ask the health insurance company if you can deduct your health insurance premiums, since you're self-employed.\n\nI hope that helps you find an affordable self-employed health insurance plan. Good luck.
963914
The Basic and Essential plan is alot cheaper then the Blue Cross HMO plan. The basic plan is just that. Very basic! $30 copay for doctors $500 copay for hospital inpatient. Alot of the major services are covered by either a high copay or a 70/30 coinsurance. The plan info. sheets on the site are pretty good. Most agents dont know much about the ind. plans because they are more hassel then they are worth commission wise. You may want to go on your mom's plan as an overage dependant. You may keep this coverage until your 30th birthday. Your premium would be about 60% of the single rate that your mom pays. Its a good deal and you will get better coverage then the individual plan can provide.
39405
I don't know I left Blue cross Blue shield I didn't like them. They refused to pay some bills of mine it really sucked. I signed up with HAP and I haven't had any trouble since!!
279170
Irish's answer is dead-on.\nThere is a time-limit to filing an injury claim, so your best bet is to file for both, make sure you notify them that you are filing through both as you are not sure who to file with) and then follow up until one company verifies they are primary for coverages.  I would tend to lean toward the daycare as primary and your private healthcare as secondary.
1019574
If you go to an insurance company without doing your homework, they will sell you something that is profitable for them not you. You need to understand what you want it for. there is going to be a financial balance between 3 factors\n\n1. monthly premium\n2. copayment\n3. deductiable\n\nthese factors will vary based on the type of insureance you buy.\nyou need to determine based on marital status, children, health, age, job dangers, family history and any other specific factors in your life.\n\nyou need to think about how often you will use the insurance. \nif the answer is rarely then think about low premiums and high copay and deduct. If you will be a heavy user then the opposite will apply.\n\nDON"T let an insurance company decide for you.\n\nother considerations would be existing doctors. If you have ones that you like you need to choose a policy that includes them.\n\nas was mentioned above, consult HR at work and do more research. What you've done here is an important first step
972712
Do as much research as possible, first you should realize that that Group coverage (which you currently have) is guaranteed issued without medical underwriting.  Individual and family plans that you purchase from agents, or directly from health companies are medically underwritten.  This means that if you or any of your family members have health conditions (or have in the past 12months) or take medications it may be difficult or impossible to obtain a plan outside of your husbands employer.  If your family is very healthy, then keep going and first ask get a list of your doctors and you should call your drs office and ask what health plans they accept.  Buying a plan that your Dr. does not accept would be worthless.  In the USA three types of plans have emerged in the last two years, 1. PPO Participating Physician Organization, you can visit any dr within the list of participating physician (normally thousands) and receive discounted rates, copays, and normally involve co-insurance. 2. HMO Health Maintance Organization, with this type you pick 1 primary care physician, and if you need specialty care, your primary care physician will refer you out.  3. HSA Health  Savings Accounts, these are High deductible plans, (perfect for self employed) these are long term strategic plans, you take control of your healthcare costs by purchasing a low costs High Deductilbe (normally 2500-10000) and you pay everything out of pocket until you have reached the deductible.  A smart consumer will open a HSA account at a financial institution (Federal Tax Exempt) earn at least 5% interest and fund it, whatever is not used up by the end of the year rolls over the following year (the money, and account belongs to YOU), Learn more at www.HSAInside.com\n\nLots to consider, I suggest you interview at least 3 or more brokers who specialize in Health Insurance and don't sell anything else.  Lots of plans to pick from, so speak to someone with experience.
202982
Since you are already with BCBS, can you switch you plan to Blue Care Network, and is it even offered where you live? I have Blue care network, and I really like my plan.  \n\nYou do work through a primary care physician, and need a referral to see a specialist, but this works fine.  I have three specialists, and they are all covered.\nIf I have any problems, I see my primary care doctor, never a wait, and if she cannot help, she will refer a specialist (besides my normal three specialists). It is very easy.\n\nI am on many meds, and the max I pay is $20 for each.  One I pay nothing for. Hospital care is covered 100%, emergency visits are $25 co-pay.  My primary care physician is affiliated with Providence Hospital, so this is my hospital.\n\nBlue Care Network is a PPO through Blue Cross.  \n\nHope this helps.
723717
A PPO will probably cost you a bit higher premium, but if the DMO dentist that you are stuck with is someone you would not choose to go to, you WILL end up going outside the network and paying full price anyhow, so this makes the PPO cheaper, as far as I am concerned.\n\nA PPO will have a list of "preferred providers," but you can go to ANY dentist you choose - even stay with your current dentist - and still get reimbursed at the PPO rate.
572266
This depends on your age.  For me, single policy age of 35 to 40 with Blue Cross, 2500 deductible is $141.00 per month.  PPO can go to any doctor accepting patients.
973680
Low-cost insurance availability varies depending on your location.  In most places in the US, Blue Cross/Blue Shield is available with a variety of low-cost options.  Some states also have subsidized insurance programs.  \n\nHere's a link with good info:  http://www.familiesusa.org/resources/tools-for-advocates/other/web-sites-of-consumer-health-assistance-programs-that-help-with-general-health-insurance-problems.html
1187204
have to find a provider, and be willing to match premiums