Which should I choose? CareFirst (BCBS) vs Aetna vs Cigna vs UnitedHealthcare

[weisheke]

The company I work for has been bought out, because of that, I need to enroll in another health plan in a week or so. The choices are-

. CareFirst (BCBS)

. Aetna

. Cigna

. UnitedHealthcare

As cancer patient, I need to enroll into one that offers the best coverage and least inclination to dispute claims. Currently I am with Anthem, in the past, they denied payment for claims and denied authorizations, I like to avoid that as much as possible. If you have experience with any of these carriers, can you share please?

[Lexis6767]

I only have experience with United (my previous insurer) and Cigna (my current) - both as high deductible HSA plans.

I've been battling stage 4 nsclc for two years now, and had United last year and Cigna for this year. I had a better experience with United, though Cigna hasn't even billed me all my deductible yet for 2018. I think they're still working out the bills.

United didn't deny anything. Cigna denied my second CT scan because they couldn't decide if it was "medically necessary" though my records show I'm scanned every four months. I paid that one out of pocket.

In my opinion, United was much better. I wish you the best!!

[Denzie Moderator Volunteer]

I had good luck with Aetna.

[Spainy]

Very poor experience with Aetna and they’ve lied to the federal government to undermine Obamacare. Check with all the carriers and give them your medical history. Each state is different too.

[Denzie Moderator Volunteer in reply to Spainy]

Sorry your experience was so bad. I wasn’t aware of this ACA thing.

[weisheke in reply to Spainy]

I will avoid Aetna then. Thank you!

[katherineNED]

I've had United since I was diagnosed 4 years ago. Other than a glitch when first diagnosed (slow authorizing PET scan), they have approved all treatment that my doctor has requested. I am satisfied with them.

[ThePurplePlace]

I'm covered mmvy an Aetna plan through my husband's employer. It's a high deductible plan and offers an HSA, which we fund with payroll deductions. Needless to say we spend a ton of money out of pocket for my care. If we had an option for a better plan we'd take it in a heartbeat. We had great great plans with far better coverage for years, until his company was sold just a year before my diagnosis. In our state they only offer high ded plans. Yet employees in other states have great full coverage options, seems so unfair.

Overall Aetna is okay. They've denied claims in error and I have to take time to call and have them reprocessed, luckily I understand billing and claims so I follow them closely, it's important to me they are paid and processed correctly so I meet my deductible and co insurance. My hubby would be very frustrated and lost doing this, I'm teaching him for the future, but ultimately it's something that should not happen. Many tests require pre approval, but the hospital handles that and we've had no issues.

I wish you luck and hope they offer good plans with great coverage...cancer treatment is very expensive. We've paid close to $20k out of pocket...not fun.

Lisa

[weisheke in reply to ThePurplePlace]

Thank you, Lisa. I wish you the best

[weisheke]

Hi, Thank you all very much for your advice. I will likely go with CareFirst (BCBS) based on my oncology's recommendation. He and his staff said they have less issue with CareFirst, when compare with Aetna, Cigna and United. Best wishes to you all.