Getting switched over from Kaiser to Anthem Blue Cross HMO

[Tommy2000GT]

My company decided to change health insurance plans in order to save money. So they are making everyone change to Anthem Blue Cross HMO or PPO. I was planning to go for HMO to save a little bit.

I've had Kaiser forever and I don't want to change but it's not like I have a choice. :'(

So how is Anthem compared to Kaiser? I keep hearing horror stories about them but are they really that bad?

 

[tHa ShIzNiT]

I believe Anthem just leaked all members personal data in a breach, so at least you're missing that.

 

[Tommy2000GT]

I believe Anthem just leaked all members personal data in a breach, so at least you're missing that.

I've heard about that and I'm glad I missed that.

 

[maddogchen]

if you are used to Kaiser, pick another all in one health care system that Anthem allows.

That way almost all your needs will be met in the one health care site rather than having to go around to different places to see different doctors or get labs drawn somewhere else.

 

[blackangst1]

We switched from Cigna to Anthem, and Im pleased. Much better plan than I had before.

YMMV, and anecdotal.

 

[DCal430]

I have heard horror stories about kaiser too.

Example is kaiser almost never approves surgery for sweaty palms disorder.

 

[highland145]

in order to save money.

Bull shit. It's the Aca. Get it? Affordable.

2nd I have heard that kaiser is the bomb but they can't do business in SC. For some reason they can't cross the state line. Strange congress didn't fix this....

3rd....is this P&N or B&M (bitch and moan). I'm good with either.

What's your plan going to look like, co pays, deductibles, in network, etc...

Lastly, is your 1st port your last?

 

[Slew Foot]

Kaiser is fine as long as youre not tremendously sick. Anthem is the devil, they'll find every excuse in the book to deny or not cover any claim you want to make.

 

[Tommy2000GT]

I have to choose doctors and put it on the enrollment form.

Is it better to choose one family doctor or a separate primary care physician for me, wife, and then a pediatrician for my son?

 

[WackyDan]

My company decided to change health insurance plans in order to save money. So they are making everyone change to Anthem Blue Cross HMO or PPO. I was planning to go for HMO to save a little bit.

I've had Kaiser forever and I don't want to change but it's not like I have a choice. :'(

So how is Anthem compared to Kaiser? I keep hearing horror stories about them but are they really that bad?

Aside from not being able to secure their databases? They kinda suck.

Been Anthem for a few years... Prior to that it was Cigna. Cigna NEVER fucked up billing, paperwork, etc. Cigna was a well oiled health care insurance machine.

Anthem? They can suck my dick. They have fucked up more billing, have forced us to have our doctors resubmit the claims and once told us prescription formula for my daughter was covered.... But neglected to tell us that was dependent on the formula being administered via a feeding tube...Which they were told would not be the case. Cost me almost $1000.

So yeah... I miss Cigna.

 

[irishScott]

Anthem you have to threaten to challenge sometimes, but they usually back off.

Back when I had appendicitis and needed emergency surgery (by the time the surgeons got to it after a long night in the emergency room it was perforated and near bursting), Athem initially stated that they were going to deny me coverage because I wasn't "observed for 24 hours" prior to surgery. Which is utter bullshit according to the plan I was on. Called and threatened to challenge, they backed off.

 

[Printer Bandit]

Kaiser > * (if in CA)

 

[DCal430]

Kaiser > * (if in CA)

Like I said, I have seen much better than Kaiser in California. Kaiser has issues if you have any real medical problem. I know someone with kaiser who had to switch providers, because Kaiser refused medically needed surgery. The new insurance approved the procedure right away.

 

[DCal430]

very odd, here in California, with my insurance it isn't the insurance company that approves or denies your request. It is the medical group. I needed a CT scan, and the request was approved by the medical group it self, the insurance company wasn't involved at all.

 

[BoomerD]

Kaiser > * (if in CA)

It seems like if you like Kaiser...you REALLY like them...otherwise, MOST folks hate Kaiser.
They were an option for my union H&W plan for years and years. The union finally stopped offering their plan to anyone who wasn't already on Kaiser. Too many complaints, too many price hikes.
We signed my wife up for coverage here under the ACA. She opted for a local HMO that is a subsidiary of Kaiser...we'll see how it goes.

 

[Demo24]

I was on cigna until the state gave us the middle finger and gave us a single choice of blue cross or nothing. They ended up screwing the plans up and had to redo them a couple times in the first year. So I went from no co-pay, but running out of hra dollars, to a copay and actually having something in there after 1 doctor visit. Its overall been fine though, but I've not needed it for much. No idea on the HMO part as I always go with hra plans.

 

[Greenman]

Anthem is great, you're going to love them! They call often with offers of services that you don't want or need. And this one time, they actually paid a small portion of a medical bill. Well, they paid it after it went to collections, just to be sure it showed up on my credit report.