Health Plans: Alternatives to BC/BS

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   I have had BC/BS Standard Option for self and family for several years, and have been okay with it. This year, it seems like costs have really gone up. I'm a diabetic and currently taking one generic prescription, and two brand name prescriptions, and my doctor wants to add another brand name prescription.

I'm considering switching health plans this year. I like the coverage with GEHA, but the premium is higher than BC, and it wouldn't give me much relief on my monthly prescriptions. I'm considering APWU or Mail Handlers. Does anyone have any experiences with these other plans?

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Chuck_G Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 11 Sep 2009 Posts: 24	Post Options Post Reply Quote Chuck_G Report Post Quote Reply Topic: Health Plans: Alternatives to BC/BS Posted: 14 Sep 2009 at 12:20pm
	I have had BC/BS Standard Option for self and family for several years, and have been okay with it. This year, it seems like costs have really gone up. I'm a diabetic and currently taking one generic prescription, and two brand name prescriptions, and my doctor wants to add another brand name prescription. I'm considering switching health plans this year. I like the coverage with GEHA, but the premium is higher than BC, and it wouldn't give me much relief on my monthly prescriptions. I'm considering APWU or Mail Handlers. Does anyone have any experiences with these other plans?

dhacker56 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 09 Dec 2008 Posts: 638	Post Options Post Reply Quote dhacker56 Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 14 Sep 2009 at 1:04pm
	Check out NALC! You only have to become an associate member. $36 per year to be eligible.

Chuck_G Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 11 Sep 2009 Posts: 24	Post Options Post Reply Quote Chuck_G Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 15 Sep 2009 at 7:48am
	Thanks dhacker56. Did you use the mail order pharmacy? My brand prescriptions would work out better with NALC if I went with mail order, I've just never done that before. Anyone have any experience with this?

TopDown Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 01 Feb 2009 Posts: 17	Post Options Post Reply Quote TopDown Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 15 Sep 2009 at 8:08am
	I signed up for NALC in 2009 for the first time. Injured my back early in 2009 and ended up having surgery in the summer. NALC has paid quickly, sent me statements timely so I could pay my portion timely, and there were no problems. I did have to explain to each DR office and Hospital that NALC was a federal employee plan that also covered non-postal. None of my sources had a patient covered by NALC before. No problems just extra conversation between me and the person signing me in. In the past I have used GEHA, BC/BS, and Group Health. I've been very pleased with my NALC coverage. I never used the mail-order prescripton coverage.

dhacker56 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 09 Dec 2008 Posts: 638	Post Options Post Reply Quote dhacker56 Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 15 Sep 2009 at 9:02am
	The mail order is handled thru CVS. You can even get your 3 month supply filled at any CVS RX at the same copay charge as thru the mail. Very handy!

Chuck_G Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 11 Sep 2009 Posts: 24	Post Options Post Reply Quote Chuck_G Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 15 Sep 2009 at 10:22am
	Thanks dhacker56 and TopDown. I did call and ask about the mail order plan and the Maintenance Choice program. It's a much better deal for me than BC. Looks like NALC is the best choice for me this open season.

dhacker56 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 09 Dec 2008 Posts: 638	Post Options Post Reply Quote dhacker56 Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 15 Sep 2009 at 10:27am
	Am in the middle of a dispute with NALC about preventive care. Be sure you call and check ALL aspects of this part of the coverage. All will work out I think and they seem very helpful but it will require an appeal I am afraid.

Spitzy678 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 18 Nov 2008 Posts: 4	Post Options Post Reply Quote Spitzy678 Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 15 Oct 2009 at 8:17pm
	I used BCBS from 1977 to 2008. Their premiums were so high, the deductibles were going up, everything was going up. I changed to NALC in 2009. Everything has been great with NALC. I stongly suggest NALC. Yea, you have to pay a yearly fee to join, but $35 or whatever it is is nothing to what BCBS was going to charge over the year. I will be staying with NALC this year!

Chuck_G Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 11 Sep 2009 Posts: 24	Post Options Post Reply Quote Chuck_G Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 23 Oct 2009 at 5:24am
	Thanks for the relpy Spitzy. I'm pretty set on switching to NALC this year. The deciding factor was the maintanence plus plan for prescriptions. I see they raised their mail order price for name brand drugs from $35 to $65 for a 90 day supply, but even with that change it's still better than what I'm paying per month the BC standard.

jagfan Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Groupie Joined: 06 Dec 2007 Posts: 84	Post Options Post Reply Quote jagfan Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 23 Oct 2009 at 1:42pm
	I've had BCBS for over 20 years and have been pleased for the most part with their coverage and extensive PPO network. But their rates are going out of sight. I've done much research on the NALC/CIGNA Healthcare Plan and the benefits offered under it are almost identical to BCBS and their premium is less. Their PPO network is quite vast as well. I use the Mayo Clinic extensively and they are a CIGNA PPO so that really tilts the scale to switch. Even after paying the $36 non postal association fees, my husband and I can save $600 in premiums. I have an inquiry for those of you who already have NALC. Does your NALC insurance card identify anywhere on it that CIGNA is the benefit provider? If it doesn't, I foresee many questions and a lengthy registration process when presenting it to medical providers and hospitals.