Thinking about switching Medicare coverage plan as BS&W is dropping Humana. If you have knowledge about BS&W plan(s)...please advise relative to your or a loved one's experience(s). Alternatives = United HC or Blue Cross BS.

TIA!!!!!

Old here and can't believe I'm the only one on TA with this problem. I don't want to rely solely on my Ins. Agent for her recommendation. I would appreciate any honest commentary!

TIA

I know a lot of doctors, and I have heard NOTHING good about United. And this was prior to everything you hear in the news. I've had BCBS years ago, and it was fine, but I barely used it as a young healthy person that hates going to the doctor.

I would actually look closely at the explanation of benefits sheet. What is your copay, coinsurance, deductible, is there a FSA or HSA component? How old are you and how much do you anticipate using it over the next year. Do you plan on getting routine screening done (like a colonoscopy, or a wife's mammogram, for example)? Do you have enough money in the bank that you can cover routine expenses and only need insurance for catastrophic costs, and thus might benefit from a high deductible plan? What chronic conditions do you have? How much/what type of medication coverage do you need?

Just a few things to think about, or discuss with your insurance agent.

bigtruckguy3500 said:

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I know a lot of doctors, and I have heard NOTHING good about United. And this was prior to everything you hear in the news. I've had BCBS years ago, and it was fine, but I barely used it as a young healthy person that hates going to the doctor.

I would actually look closely at the explanation of benefits sheet. What is your copay, coinsurance, deductible, is there a FSA or HSA component? How old are you and how much do you anticipate using it over the next year. Do you plan on getting routine screening done (like a colonoscopy, or a wife's mammogram, for example)? Do you have enough money in the bank that you can cover routine expenses and only need insurance for catastrophic costs, and thus might benefit from a high deductible plan? What chronic conditions do you have? How much/what type of medication coverage do you need?

Just a few things to think about, or discuss with your insurance agent.

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Can't thank you enough. Wife is wheel chair bound (MS 53+ yrs) and we're both on Medicare. Our ins. agent is pushing UHC hard...which is why I was leery. Our only/main health provider in Waxahachie is BS&W and we use them for every thing, except her neurology care who is independent. THANK YOU again!!!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you and yours!!! May God bless all in your circle.

No problem. I will say I'm no expert on health insurance, and from a doctor's perspective, they may care more about how easy it is for them to work with an insurance (like not having to get on a phone call or submit loads of paperwork for prior authorization). But still, if I was in the market for insurance, I would probably avoid United based off their history.

I can only speak to my parents experience, but with as much crap as United as taken, it was actually wonderful as their Part B plan. Mom went thru nearly 3 years of surgery and chemo with ovarian cancer. Dad hospitalized with a bad bike wreck, then multiple strokes over several years. Both went through extended hospice. My parents barely paid a dime other than the premium that whole time, didn't ever get hassled on treatment or have anything denied, and the premium was always reasonable. They got it thru AARP