Ask MetaFilter questions tagged with bluecross

Gambling on health?

evil holiday magic — Wed, 15 Nov 2006 21:27:55 -0800

I haven't been to a doctor in ages. Would going under my current insurance plan be a gamble? After going several dumb years without health insurance, at age 24 I found an agent and signed on to a Tonik "Calculated Risk Taker" plan early this year. In the intervening time, I've had several friends and a few relatives diagnosed with forms of cancer. This really got me paranoid and dreading the idea of going, since I don't take great care of myself.

I'd discussed with my agent early on the limitations of the plan -- he said since it's generic RX only it wouldn't cover chemo drugs if I got cancer or something else requiring brand-name RX.

I guess what I'm asking is... should I upgrade my plan before (finally) going to the doctor?

Need a crunchy doctor in L.A.

Uccellina — Fri, 03 Feb 2006 13:23:49 -0800

I am going on my company's health insurance, which is Blue Cross California. I need to find a primary care doctor in the LA area who is supportive of natural medicine - particularly low/no-intervention pregancy and homebirth. Any recommendations?

Health Insurance Application Spin?

Anonymous — Wed, 18 Jan 2006 19:31:39 -0800

Do I have to represent myself with a flawlessly healthful past to be approved for individual (Blue Cross) health insurance? I'm not talking about fraud here; I'm just wondering what the standards are on truth vs. spin. I don't have any major illnesses or conditions to cover up, but I've always heard that when filling out a health history you're expected, (even by doctors and insurance brokers) to obfuscate a bit, and if you mention a medical issue, it's assumed to be much, much worse and you get blackballed. The form is asking for every detail of every single medical issue I've encountered in the last DECADE. Do I pretend I haven't had "sign or symtoms" of anxiety, acne, dizziness, infections or athlete's foot since 1995? If I say I have a glass of wine with dinner do they assume I'm a drunk? And if I omit anything, will they catch me by checking my doctor's records, specifically on prescriptions? I'd prefer to be completely honest, but if I get turned down I may just move to Canada, or someplace with a sane health system.