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  #1  
Old 02-02-2012, 06:51 PM
Delibes's Avatar
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Health Insurance Recommendations

Dear council of diesel wisdom,
As many of you know, I will be moving to Kansas soon. I am currently taking a look at healthcare providers and I am in the usual confusion a European national would find himself in. Because I will be leading a lifestyle with plenty of travel around the US, I would need a supplier that is reliable and well spread.

Here are some options:

-Blue Cross/Blue Shield
-Humana
-Aetna
-Freedom Life

What would you recommend, and why? Which one provides the best overall value? What is the absolute best I could get, regardless of money? Which one would be the worst?

Feel free to pitch in, and add any other options that I may have not mentioned in the list.

Your confused friend,
-Miguel

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  #2  
Old 02-02-2012, 06:52 PM
elchivito's Avatar
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The first three are big in the south west. I never heard of Freedom Life.
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  #3  
Old 02-02-2012, 07:14 PM
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I would say BC/BS would probably be the most "portable" Although each state has it's own BC/BS organizations, there is some degree of "IN-network" commonality across state lines. I don't know anything about Humana or Aetna.

Time for some light reading...
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas

PPO

Kansas Humana Sales Office Locations - Insurance and Benefits
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  #4  
Old 02-02-2012, 07:53 PM
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My guess is that you need to prepare yourself for serious headaches compared to Euro health care systems.
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  #5  
Old 02-02-2012, 08:25 PM
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Blue Cross/Blue Shield
-Humana
-Aetna

All in the Southeast...
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  #6  
Old 02-03-2012, 07:50 AM
dynalow's Avatar
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Quote:
Originally Posted by kerry View Post
My guess is that you need to prepare yourself for serious headaches compared to Euro health care systems.
Yes indeed. Bring your checkbook.
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  #7  
Old 02-04-2012, 12:57 AM
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Go with a non-profit.

For profit health insurance is for really stupid people.
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  #8  
Old 02-05-2012, 07:01 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by TwitchKitty View Post
Go with a non-profit.

For profit health insurance is for really stupid people.
"For profit?" Who is providing non-profit health insurance?
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  #9  
Old 02-05-2012, 10:31 AM
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Part of the problem you will find in getting a good answer is that individuals in the USA are often unable to provide an informed answer to your question because they get their health insurance thru their employment and have to accept the company the employer provides or make a choice between a few companies the employer provides. So most Americans can't give an answer like they could to 'Which car should I buy in the USA' since they haven't really ever shopped for it.
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1977 300d 70k--sold 08
1985 300TD 185k+
1984 307d 126k--sold 8/03
1985 409d 65k--sold 06
1984 300SD 315k--daughter's car
1979 300SD 122k--sold 2/11
1999 Fuso FG Expedition Camper
1993 GMC Sierra 6.5 TD 4x4
1982 Bluebird Wanderlodge CAT 3208--Sold 2/13
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  #10  
Old 02-05-2012, 03:51 PM
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I have Anthem and pay $230 a month for it. Seems to work ok, although knock on wood I haven't really needed it yet.
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  #11  
Old 02-05-2012, 04:47 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Hatterasguy View Post
I have Anthem and pay $230 a month for it. Seems to work ok, although knock on wood I haven't really needed it yet.
Does your employer pay an additional portion? Our Anthem plan is $1400 per month for a family--HMO. $35 copay for primary care. $60 for specialist. $200 for ER and $500 for hospital.
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1977 300d 70k--sold 08
1985 300TD 185k+
1984 307d 126k--sold 8/03
1985 409d 65k--sold 06
1984 300SD 315k--daughter's car
1979 300SD 122k--sold 2/11
1999 Fuso FG Expedition Camper
1993 GMC Sierra 6.5 TD 4x4
1982 Bluebird Wanderlodge CAT 3208--Sold 2/13
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  #12  
Old 02-05-2012, 05:24 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by kerry View Post
My guess is that you need to prepare yourself for serious headaches compared to Euro health care systems.
Lived there, done that. Yes our insurance is spendy here, and I'm not saying it's a perfect system, but the quality of care is 10x better than what I left behind (socialized nightmares), so the headaches shouldn't be as severe in total. I guess the grass is always greener though...
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  #13  
Old 02-05-2012, 11:30 PM
compress ignite's Avatar
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zzzz...Eh,An Intelligent Question (Spoof [Reality] answer)

'Go with the Recidivist (That's Reverse [or non-Democratic] ) Health care plan...
" 'Don't get Sick AND If you do get sick Die FAST!!!"

Seriously,In America (The U.S.) We pay 3 times as much for 1/2 the health care of
anyone else on the Planet! All 50 state [And Federal]codes dealing with Insurance and Health care
were written by lobbyists working directly for the Insurers,Drug Manufacturers and the A.M.A .

'Just the amount of time spent on Due Diligence, trying to get ripped off the least, is INSANE !
[BUT the Whole system is Skewed to the benefit of the Lobbyist's Employers.]
Basically,you're buying Health Insurance from people who are SOOOOOO Crooked; they give
used car dealers a good name.

EDIT:

OOOOOH! Infraction(s) do they come with Bonus Miles?
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Last edited by compress ignite; 02-07-2012 at 12:09 AM.
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  #14  
Old 02-06-2012, 12:54 AM
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He's not looking or a political discussion, just suggestions that will help him get the best value.

There are plenty of self-employed people who can chime in. Hatterasguy is one of them. What does $230 a month get you?
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  #15  
Old 02-06-2012, 12:57 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by TylerH860 View Post
There are plenty of self-employed people who can chime in. Hatterasguy is one of them. What does $230 a month get you?
Not much.
I paid $375/month for an HMO 12 years ago. Hatt's insurance is cheap because he's a young male.
I currently pay $214/month for medicare and supplimentary insurance. And that's with no drug clause.

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