Health Insurance in NOVA (pharmacy, move, relocating)

[ajzjmsmom]

We are federal employees and have numerous insurances we can chose, normally we have BCBS which is national but this year we went with one just in our state. Can anyone recommend a good insurance? I don't mind an HMO as long as they allow us to see specialists without a referral. I really don't want to go back to BCBS as their rates have gone up and their level of benefits have fallen.

[SteelCityRising]

Oh! I have the same question! I'm also a Federal employee here preparing to choose my health insurance as well! All suggestions are appreciated!

[mlv311]

I guess when you are healthy, a HMO can work for you, but otherwise they are not the best. I had a HMO and got really sick while on temporary duty and learned my lesson--never again. My husband had GEHA when he was single and it worked well for him (he is in very good health). Since my bad experience with my HMO, I've had BCBS. I like that we can see any specialist anywhere in the U.S. and the mail-order pharmacy plan works well. But you are right--the rates/copays went up a lot in 2009.

[ajzjmsmom]

Originally Posted by ScranBarre

Oh! I have the same question! I'm also a Federal employee here preparing to choose my health insurance as well! All suggestions are appreciated!

Do you have a particular insurance you are leaning towards? BCBS is pretty good but like I said their rates went up and benefits went down. However when we move we will probably go back to them, we have been married 16 years and all but 3 of those we have had BCBS, they paid in full for 3 kids so I guess I can't complain. It is nice to not have to pick a provider who then has to coordinate all your health care. It may not be so bad for you since you are single, as far as rates go.

[SteelCityRising]

I'm indeed hedging towards Blue Cross/Blue Shield. I was also looking into Aetna though. I'm a very active non-smoking and (normally) non-drinking young single male with a short commute, so I should enjoy some very reasonable rates. I don't envy those of you with families to provide for, as your rates must be outrageous!

[ajzjmsmom]

Originally Posted by ScranBarre

I'm indeed hedging towards Blue Cross/Blue Shield. I was also looking into Aetna though. I'm a very active non-smoking and (normally) non-drinking young single male with a short commute, so I should enjoy some very reasonable rates. I don't envy those of you with families to provide for, as your rates must be outrageous!

Actually the BCBS rates aren't as bad as I make them, we would be paying about $164 biweekly. The best rates are for postal employees which kinda bites that they get better rates than we do, for me if you work for the federal gov't it should be the same across the board. Do the majority of the doctors in NOVA accept Aetna?

[movingtodcfromseattle]

We are relocating from WA state to NOVA in June(my husband is a fed gov't employee as well) and have the opportunity to change insurance at that time. We currently have BCBS and they are okay, but we are curious about Aetna. I'm also wondering if the majority of docs in NOVA take Aetna? We've had BCBS for 4 years now and have been pleased with them out here in WA.

[Denton56]

We've had GEHA for a long time and never had a problem with it and never found a doctor would didn't take it. We've had some serious medical problems over the years and GEHA paid all the bills, other than the $10 copay. They're worth the money, imo.

[mdcrim]

We use MD IPA-their insurance includes a dental and vision plan for no extra money. We have had no problem finding doctors who take them (it's a United Healthcare company) and they pay their claims. Also, there are no copays for childrens primary care doctor until the kid turns 13.

[ChristineVA]

Most federal workers in my office take BCBS. It just, overall, seems to be the most workable plan.

I take OneNet through my husband's employer which is part of the MD-IPA network and I've been pleased with them as well. I don't hear of many (in my office) taking Aetna.