Originally Posted by
BMEP100
He has told me that in general, they are difficult to deal with compared to Express Scripts, and his mail order meds sometimes arrive late- which never happened before.
For us, the nearest CVS is 25 miles away.
As for Aetna, depending on the state, you might be able to keep it. According to the map on the company web site, your state of residence will decide which carrier you use- no choice either Aetna or BCBS.
Hopefully, I am wrong about this but the map seemed pretty clear.
No, I think you got it right. It's either Aetna or BCBS for medical. Question becomes - does it depend on where you live or where you're based or is it your choice between the two?
Express Script will be replaced by CVS for all and probable for retirees as well.
Originally Posted by
Old UCAL CA
The map shows an unwanted change to Blue Cross.
Aetna has always been available privately, but is a substantial cost increase out of the United group options...very close to 35%...a very costly "choice."
I've talked to several 65 and over retirees and understand it does get complicated and the wrong decision can be costly. Most seem to stay with the United supplemental policy even though it cost them almost twice what they paid while working but it does bring that back up to the pre-retirement insurance. The R&I Committee comes under fire for not passing information about the workings of Medicare and the United supplemental insurance. You are probably better prepared to pass on information about that. The one thing I have learned is you can't avoid Medicare.
The map ledger -
Aetna: NJ, FL, DC, NY, OH, PA, NV, AZ, GA, MD, WI, CT, KS, MO, NE, AR, AK
Blue Cross Blue Shield: TX, IL, CA, CO, WA, MA, MI, IN, NC, MN, UT, VA, LA, TN, HI, OK, SC, ID, SD, IA, ME, NM, RI, OR, MT, DE, KY, AL, VT, WY, MS, WV, ND, NH