United PPO or BCBS PPO?

Hello everyone

I am starting a new job and they gave me the option of choosing between United PPO and BCBS PPO. Right before this I had Aetna for two years and I ran out of prescription benefits each year so I want to make sure that I sign up for the plan that will serve me better at the pharmacy.

I am on Asacol and Cortifoam right now but in the past I have had to use Imuran, Remicade, Cortisone, Humira, etc. as well as some experimental drugs.

I wanted to see what you all think is the better insurance to get for someone with a preexisting condition (I have had Ulcerative Colitis for 8 years now so I need to get regular colonoscopies as well), and someone who uses a lot of prescription medicine?

Thank you in advance for your health and support!!

 

I really don't have the info to choose.

You have to read the policy book and probably the actual policy. Large insurance companies have numerous plans. By the way BCBS is not a national company but a licensee of the BCBS name. Each state has a different BCBS company with different polices. Some are good(if that is possible) and some are awful. Some are non-profit and some profit.

You definitely need to read the drug benefits of each policy. Drug benefits run from absolutely worthless to generous. BCBS AZ has a website that you can run drugs through for pricing and status but you need to be a policy member to use it. Find out if you have a "suitcase blue" PPO with them as that has a different set of benefits for out of state providers. For example, the Mayo clinic in AZ is not in my PPO but the MN Mayo is. It really gets nuts.

If you are working for a large corp, maybe they have an insurance person that knows the policies and can help you?

Check your state insurance commission to see if they track complaints and resolutions. Absolutely DO NOT trust phone in insurance company customer service. They are 100% wrong at the wrong time IMHO.

Oh and talk to your doctors paperwork person, they may know a lot about the two companies.

I agree with the other posters. The coverage depends on the particular policy the company buys from that insurer, not which insurer they use. Both BCBS and United have excellent policies and crappy policies. Just depends on what the employer and employees are willing to pay.

Check the state insurance commission? Google the web for complaints? Do you know if your BCBS company is non-profit? Part of Wellpoint(Anthem)? I have heard many complaints about the state companies owned by Wellpoint(anthem). I had BCBS MI which was non-profit and fairly good. I have BCBS AZ now which is non-profit but not as good. ..but not horrible. My brother is with BCBS AK and hates it. I don't have experience with United.

check the company by state here:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blue_Cross_Blue_Shield