Which health insurance provider is bettter, Blue Cross Blue Shield or Aetna?

I never had health insurance until now. Now that my employer gives me the option to go with either Blue Cross Blue Shield or Aetna, I am not sure which one to pick. I know that both are good.

Does anyone know the advantage of one over the other. Asked by copperfield 48 months ago Similar questions: health insurance provider bettter Blue Cross Shield Aetna Business > Insurance.

Similar questions: health insurance provider bettter Blue Cross Shield Aetna.

Carefully check coverage for each! I've previously worked as an IT consultant to the health insurance industry, and during my tenure, discovered that individual coverages (and overall experience) can vary widely. Short answers: Don't delay researching your choice to the last minute!

Completely read (or at least thoroughly skim) through the summary of your company's specific coverages for each plan. If something seems off to you, consult with your HR rep or the insurance company. At the risk of going overboard, some tips: ESPECIALLY if the plans are HMO or PPO, or otherwise limit coverages for "out of network" providers, carefully check to see if your preferred primary care provider (and specialists, if you've got chronic health conditions) are a part of your specific plan.

Even within the same insurance company, providers that are a part of a specific plan can differ. Are there any maximums or differences on limits or co-insurance on certain services important to you? At least in my area (Portland, Oregon), dental coverage frequently limits who you can go to.

Don't assume your preferred dentist is on this list. If not, be prepared to pay increased rates or use an in-network dentist. If your plan includes a provision for a savings account (HSA or MSA), make sure that you clearly understand benefits and limitations on each (HSA = "use it or lose it").

Is your employer's plan really that good? While I've found that most mid to large corporations offer good or great plans, some folks I know with spouses or families find that getting their own insurance through a reputable provider (I use eHealthInsurance. Com) is actually a better option.Do you have a pre-existing condition that needs immediate care?

If so, carefully read each specific policy's rules on this. Do you have a condition that you do not want your employer to know about? In most cases I've seen, your employer does not have a right to any aspects of your medical record.

However, depending on your locale, your employer may be able to access elements of your medical record and/or billing details. If this concerns you, contact the insurance company and/or your HR rep. I've added more details than are necessary for most people needing coverage.

That said, I've also ran into some cases where some heartache could really have been avoided if they only knew certain specifics on their coverage. Good luck!.

I would go with BC/BS...but... ...you need to weigh a number of factors first. You are in Texas. Go to your library and open up the Sep 2007 copy of Consumer Reports magazine.

You will find rankings of health insurers, based on whether you are in a PPO plan which I would take or an HMO plan. For example, if you select a PPO plan, then BC/BS of Texas has a reader score of 77. Aetna is near the bottom with a reader score of URL1 decide, it is also important who your family doctors are.

I don't know if you are a young single guy or if you are older with a wife and children. I have a family. If I were to make a list of all of our doctors--internists, pediatricians, specialists of one sort or the other, I would have a sizable list.

I wouldn't want to change doctors (assuming I am happy with them) because of the insurance plan. So, the first thing I do is make the list and then check to see who is in the plan and who is out of the plan. PPO permits me to use providers outside the plan, but at greater expense to me.

So, I think you know where I am going. If 8 out of 10 doctors are in Aetna's network and 5 are in BC/BS's network, then I would seriously consider Aetna, assuming they were more or less comparable. You can do this checking on the internet on the websites of the insurance plans.

Each employer plan is slightly different. You need to factor in your family's expected use of physicians and prescription meds, etc.It is actually not the simplest analysis. But, if you need the health care, you will depend on this heavily.

So, don't take this lightly. Good luck! PS-talking to other fellow employees who have used each of the different providers might not be a bad way to get added observation points.

Sources: Consumer Reports Magazine - Sep 2007 .

May depend on where you live.. In California, Blue Cross/Blue Shield were recently notified of millions of dollars in fines levied against them (and a state lawsuit) because they were cancelling patients after having authorized treatments, surgeries etc ... Health Net also has the same problem... Sorry, but I don't know anything good OR bad about Aetna .. Happy Holidays! .

1 My own way to evaluate a plan is to see what it covers of what you need, and very important, the strength and reputation of its network - the doctors the hospitals etc. You can find out this information upfront to help make the decision. Then you can evaluate what cost means vis a vis value. All the best.

My own way to evaluate a plan is to see what it covers of what you need, and very important, the strength and reputation of its network - the doctors the hospitals etc. You can find out this information upfront to help make the decision. Then you can evaluate what cost means vis a vis value. All the best.

" "Does anyone know if it is legal for my health insurance provider to begin paying only 20% of my medical bills" "If you could choose between Aetna and blue choice which would you pick for regular health insurance.

Does anyone know if it is legal for my health insurance provider to begin paying only 20% of my medical bills.

If you could choose between Aetna and blue choice which would you pick for regular health insurance.

I cant really gove you an answer,but what I can give you is a way to a solution, that is you have to find the anglde that you relate to or peaks your interest. A good paper is one that people get drawn into because it reaches them ln some way.As for me WW11 to me, I think of the holocaust and the effect it had on the survivors, their families and those who stood by and did nothing until it was too late.