I have to get Health Insurance (getting kicked off the parents policy soon). From what I have researched there is BCBSNC and Cigna. All reviews I have found seem to point to BCBSNC as the better of the two.

If I go with BCBSNC I've been looking at the Blue Advantage Saver plan, with the $2500 deductable. Seems to be decent coverage and low copays for doctors visit. I dont go to the doctor often, but I do take ADHD meds and have to do a doctors appt and perscription once every 3 months.

What about dental? Thats $49 extra a month, not sure I need that.

11/7/2011 10:01:24 PM

As someone who has had both BCBS and Cigna, yes go with BCBS. Cigna is a royal pain in the ass.

11/7/2011 10:13:14 PM

^


i'd say don't get dental. chances are you'll go for a cleaning once a year. better off paying that out of pocket than guaranteeing yourself $600 in premiums plus deductible/copays. a lot of dental places, if you tell them you don't have insurance, they'll cut like 20% off the bill to start with or something

[Edited on November 7, 2011 at 10:38 PM. Reason : .]

11/7/2011 10:36:01 PM

As someone who has a bit of experience in dealing with insurance companies (checking coverage at a doctor's office) I can tell you BCBS is a lot easier to work with and are just more awesome in general. But, I just want to go on the record as saying those aren't the only 2 choices for insurance in NC, if that's what your topic is referring to.

11/7/2011 10:40:04 PM

healthcare != health insurance, btw

i have first carolina care for health insurnace & humana one for dental. the health insurance is through my employer; idk if they have individual plans. i just bought the dental policy on my own a couple of weeks ago. it's $15/month & covers more than the state policy (my other option was joining my husband's w/ the state...there's no way i'm paying $48/month to bcbs). the plan covers 2 cleanings a year + xrays for just a hair more than 1 out of pocket visit.
https://www.humanaonedental.com/north-carolina-dental-insurance/dental-insurance-overview.aspx?state=NC&insType=D

[Edited on November 7, 2011 at 10:45 PM. Reason : ]

11/7/2011 10:43:19 PM

Doesn't United still offer insurance here? My company is with United, I assumed they would offer individual policies here as well.

11/8/2011 7:51:42 AM

my company is based in Mass but we have Aetna and they're accepted everywhere here (well except Rex-UNC Hospitals but that's another story for another day).

seriously go with BCBS.

11/8/2011 7:54:52 AM

Quote :

"(well except Rex-UNC Hospitals but that's another story for another day)"

My insurance is like that too

11/8/2011 8:04:56 AM

^Wow, I didn't realize that we don't accept Aetna. Just googled it and had some comments from Bill about it in the Herald-Sun. In that case I would definitely avoid Aetna as it severely limits you in the Triangle to WakeMed or Duke to stay in network.

11/8/2011 8:16:49 AM

I looked around and Humana had some good rates. No idea what they charge for co-pays, since my doc at the time quit taking insurance so I just found a high deductible plan in case anything bad happened.

11/8/2011 8:19:51 AM

BCBS
Cigna
Inclusive Health
UnitedHealth
Humana
First Carolina

11/8/2011 8:24:47 AM

Is Coventry still doing business in NC? Thats who we had at my previous employer

11/8/2011 8:34:15 AM

This was two years ago, but between when I got off my parents' insurance and started working my current job, I had a short plan through Aetna. Gave me the coverage I needed at a pretty cheap price and is pretty satisfactory for a short-term policy.

11/8/2011 9:09:35 AM

i'd also pass on the dental...though i just joined my wife's plan because it's only an extra $13/month, includes 1 free checkup, 2 free cleanings, and there's no waiting period (i want to get my one old cavity redone since it uses amalgam, and i have another tiny cavity i want to get filled)...they pay 80%, i pay 20%

most dental policies are not that good or that cheap

11/8/2011 11:17:59 AM

There are always deals on Groupon and living social for a full cleaning + xrays for less than $100....

I have BCBS....I would like to +1 it. I had an emergency when I went away for work and ended up in a hospital in TN needing a CAT scan. I ended up being in network and since I had met my deductible (I had a baby earlier), I paid nothing. Had it been out of network it would have run me my whole out of network deductible + emergency room fees

[Edited on November 15, 2011 at 12:51 PM. Reason : ]

11/15/2011 12:48:33 PM

Quote :

"There are always deals on Groupon and living social for a full cleaning + xrays for less than $100...."

I've seen several deals around here for $60-100. I need to get off my ass and use one of those.

11/15/2011 1:08:36 PM

I have an individual CoventryOne plan for $72 a month. This stuff ain't cheap.

However, if you don't worry about cancer or anything like that, just get a plan similar to the one NCState imposes upon those without: a temporary health insurance plan. You can get one of those for $30 a month, just keep in mind they kick you off after 12 months.

11/15/2011 2:06:44 PM

yeh, my individual plan is more than 2.5 times more than ^. shit ain't cheap at all (and pre-existing conditions don't help).


and as far as temporary, it's a pretty good deal (money wise). i paid about $100 for 5 months of coverage (had to pay up front for that rate).

my suggestion: if you don't go to the doctor often and can have some money set aside, go with the highest deductible plan so your premium is low. that's what i've done and it's worked out well. just have that $2.5k-5k ready in case shit ever hits the fan. of course, as you get older and/or have children, it may make sense to go with a typical plan.

[Edited on November 15, 2011 at 2:32 PM. Reason : .]

11/15/2011 2:30:02 PM

there's also medicare and medicaid if you qaulify.

11/16/2011 11:40:50 PM