Az's equivalent of Kaiser Permanente? (Tucson: health insurance, bankruptcy, construction)

[1janiedough]

I currently live in Diamond Bar, Ca and my boyfriend and I are seriously considering moving to Phx/Tucson.

I grew up in Tucson and have always loved Az, so moving back is a great idea...however, my boyfriend has had Kaiser for 30 years or so and loves it, but they don't appear to be in Arizona anywhere.

Any suggestions on an Arizona equivalent? My bf had some fairly recent past health issues and wants the same level of available outstanding care should the need arise in the future. In other words, Kaiser really showed its value when it counted.

Thanks in advance.

[keninaz]

We have BCBS, good coverage and available almost any where.
Has problems in the past with several companies, none with BCBS.
We had Kaiser for years also in N. CA where I think it started during WWII.

[motormaker]

Originally Posted by keninaz

We have BCBS, good coverage and available almost any where.
Has problems in the past with several companies, none with BCBS.
We had Kaiser for years also in N. CA where I think it started during WWII.

Interesting read Ken.

History of the Kaiser Permanente Medical Care Program | Kaiser Permanente Thrive Exposed

The history of Kaiser Permanente dates to 1933 in Eagle Mountain / Desert Center, California. There, Garfield opened the Contractors General Hospital, with twelve beds, to treat construction workers building the Los Angeles Aqueduct in the Mojave Desert. The hospital was in a precarious financial state, fueled by Garfield’s desire to treat all patients regardless of their ability to pay. Harold Hatch, an insurance agent, proposed that the insurance companies pay the hospital a total amount, in advance, for each worker covered. The financial relationship between the insurance companies and the hospital was efficient, and allowed Garfield to focus on a new idea: preventative health care.

[keninaz]

Interesting, but not the story I heard.
I heard that Kaiser himself opened the original clinic for his workers at the shipyards he ran due to lack of adequate medical care.
Just what i heard years ago.
In checking I see it was founded in the 30s but went public in 1945, done by Henry Kaiser of shipyard fame.

[KurtAZ]

Hmmm...I would have to say we do NOT have a system like Kaiser in AZ. Closest would be Cigna I guess?

[keninaz]

We had Kaiser for almost 45 years in CA. It was not the best and far from the worst.
The contract doctors quality could vary like anywhere else.
But if you filed a complaint with Kaiser they took care of the matter too.

[yukon]

Can't answer the Kaiser question, but be prepared for sticker shock on the insurance premium cost here. My plan, 1 adult, 60 YO, is $998/mo with Ambetter. A client tax return I worked on today, him and his wife - he's 60, she's 57 - coverage for the two of them with BCBS is $3200/mo.

[1janiedough]

Originally Posted by yukon

Can't answer the Kaiser question, but be prepared for sticker shock on the insurance premium cost here. My plan, 1 adult, 60 YO, is $998/mo with Ambetter. A client tax return I worked on today, him and his wife - he's 60, she's 57 - coverage for the two of them with BCBS is $3200/mo.

Good Lord that is outrageous and hmmm, I thought it was high when he told me he was paying $650/month for Kaiser as a single guy for all these years.

I will look BCBS up and Ambetter too, interested to see what they are all about.

Thank you kindly for your responses.

[keninaz]

Wow, I am sure glad that in retirement we have good medical coverage.
In our plan we pay 40% of the premium but coverage is excellent.
I simply don't understand how low earner incomes can afford insurance today without help from an employer.
Our kids have coverage at some expense and it's not nearly as good as our plan.
I have spent a lot of time with medical care on my back and heart the last 6 years. My copays have been upwards of $11 per year but the bills paid by BCBS have totaled some $750 or close.
Without coverage I guess you file bankruptcy?

[Sunaimer]

Originally Posted by yukon

Can't answer the Kaiser question, but be prepared for sticker shock on the insurance premium cost here. My plan, 1 adult, 60 YO, is $998/mo with Ambetter. A client tax return I worked on today, him and his wife - he's 60, she's 57 - coverage for the two of them with BCBS is $3200/mo.

Wow! Are they paying for the best of the best coverage? What are the prices of Health insurance if one retires before age of Medicare and living on savings?