Health Insurance Options (Jacksonville: neighborhood, prices, office)

[Alikats]

Hi everyone,
I moved to Jacksonville from New York a few months ago. I had GHI in New York which turned into Emblem Health also known as Multi Plan down here. I was told I would have no problem using this insurance in Jacksonville. Every time I need to see a doctor I go on the emblem health website and look up a doctor. The options that pop up are really limited and when I call to make an appointment whomever I speak with claims they have never heard of my insurance before. One doctor i went to took the insurance for the appointment but not for the labs that they did which makes NO sense to me that they would use a lab that doesn't take the same insurance as them. Anyway, I have an ongoing health problem that requires me to see a Urologist and I would really like to get on a new plan that will give me many options for doctors in my neighborhood (riverside, which seems to be full of doctors), and cover both the appointment and any labs/cultures. I don't know what the most common insurance companies are in Jacksonville and could really use some advice, anything will help. I am looking for an individual plan.

Thanks!
Ali

[EricBoyd]

When I went from employer-provided health insurance (United Health Care) to a individual plan, I went to the company's website to check out their offering. Their subsidiary is Golden Rule Health. They had several different options for coverage and the prices were fair. I didn't really compare prices with other companies, though, so YMMV. Medical Insurance and Individual Health Insurance | GoldenRule.com

[riveree]

Originally Posted by Alikats

...I don't know what the most common insurance companies are in Jacksonville and could really use some advice, anything will help. I am looking for an individual plan.

I can't say for sure if these companies have individual plans, but these companies seem to be common in Jacksonville:

Aetna

Humana

Blue Cross/Shield


I'm sure there are others, but these are the ones I remember seeing on the list when I was at my doctor's office recently. Mine is employer provided and we were with Aetna a few years back and they were pretty good. The company then switched to United Healthcare and I had lots of issues with them (including a limited choice of doctors). When the option came up to switch, I went to Humana and so far I really like them. I'm not crazy about the multiple cards (I like to have just one card for visits, prescriptions, etc), but that's my only complaint so far.

[Alikats]

Thanks so much for the suggestions! I will have to do more research on which one is best for me and make a decision. I have never chosen my own health care plan and don't even know what I am looking for, but I guess there is no time better then today to learn.

[EricBoyd]

Blue Cross has that Blue Options thing, which I believe is for individuals. They have an office out at St Johns Town Center, or at least they used to.