GreatWest Health Care -- anyone?

[radfringe]

Just learned my workplace is switching to GreatWest Health Care

I did some snooping on google about it - couldn't find much "USEFUL" info on their website or elsewhere

ennywhoo- I am always skeptical of changes at my company because it's usually for the worse

anyone on GreatWest or know someone on GreatWest? Good plan, bad plan, so-so plan? any feedback would be great!

[MadAsHellNewYorker]

1. My Company used to have greatwest

nothing special, nothing bad. its easy to get "out-of-network" drs. to come into the network...they only have to fill out a one page form from the insurance company, so that means I didnt have to lose my old doctors...

[radfringe]

2. thanks

No one at my workplace had ever heard of them before.
Headquarters is in St. Louis, MO, and my workplace is in PA - hence my hesitation with this change

my doc is not on the list - but it's fine with me, I've been thinking about changing docs anyways - have some "issues" with current doctor

[lcbart]

3. I've had issues.

Their payments have been really slow for me, also their choice of 'in-network' doctors in my area is really slim.

Had MAJOR problems finding a mental health professional.

[radfringe]

4. slow how?

is this one of those where you pay up front and then get reimbursed a few months down the road?

we don't have any info on it yet - a rep is suppose to show up in a couple of weeks and give us the sales talk

[Taverner]

5. I had them

Their provider list was scant, and the service wasn't the best. Personally a plan of Blue Cross/Shield myself...

[politicat]

6. Is it a high deductible plan?

We have their HD plan and while I'm not thrilled with it, it could be worse.

The big issue with them is getting them to approve inpatient surgery. They want everything to be outpatient, and on our policy, that means they only cover 70%. Yeah. It can get high.

This is the first company I've been with that made me miss Cigna.

That said, they've been really good about covering ambulances, emergency stuff, urgent care visits. Planned stuff is a little more dicey, though. Their perscription plan can be dicey, and you want to read their formulary very carefully if you're on any medications.

On the up side, they are the first insurance plan I've ever had that covers abortion, fully covers contraceptives, and covers some OTC stuff. (I guess they figure that it's cheaper to pay for abortions and contraceptives than pregnancies and unwanted children.) They may be run by republicans, but they seem to be the libertarian types rather than neo-cons.

[radfringe]

7. don't know yet

all I know is they are switching to GreatWest, a rep is suppose to come in a couple of weeks to do the "sales talk"

we have a choice of 3 plans right now - not sure if they are adding this as a choice, dropping one or more of the other plans or who knows what

I hate it when they mess with the benefits - usually means we end up paying more and getting screwed

[lcbart]

8. Slow Payments

Meaning I'd get loads of collection agencies calling before they decide to shell out the cash.

We had the 'three plan' offer too. Basically they reduced their benefits from when they had two plans, then made you pay more per month to get the same benefits you had before.

They definitely have caused me some major headaches....