I’m 21 and currently on a Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS) plan through my work, but it’s really expensive—about $400 a month. My coworker, who uses Aetna, says they barely pay anything for their coverage. I’m considering switching and wanted to hear some other opinions about Aetna.
It sounds like your coworker may have signed up through the marketplace instead of through their employer. Marketplace plans can vary in cost, especially if someone qualifies for a subsidy. Just remember, if you’re getting coverage through work, switching to the marketplace means you might not qualify for subsidies unless your job’s plan costs over a certain percentage of your income. Be sure to check the enrollment deadline and if your employer allows you to drop your current plan.
@Marsden
Yes, my job only offers BCBS, and my coworker used healthcare.gov for Aetna.
I work in a doctor’s office, and we frequently run into issues with Aetna when trying to get approval for treatments. I’ve had a lot of appeals with them, and they’re often tough about approving even necessary treatments, like cancer screenings. It might work differently based on the plan, but it’s been challenging from our side.
I used to have BCBS and switched to Aetna through my new job’s HMO plan. I miss the variety of providers I had with BCBS; Aetna has fewer in-network options, at least for the HMO plan. If you switch, it may depend on the type of plan (PPO, HMO, etc.) and network in your area.
My experience with Aetna was a nightmare. They canceled my coverage after I fell for a misleading offer, and despite contacting them in advance, they didn’t prevent the cancellation. It’s left me without meds for the month and stuck with a new premium I didn’t have before. Proceed with caution.