Empire BlueCross BlueShield

ATTENTION FREELANCERS: Whatever you do, do NOT get the BCBS «Pathway Enhanced» plan. It’s one of their new plans designed to compete with the Healthcare Exchange and it’s AWFUL. They do shady stuff on both the patient and doctor side, as my doctors have been complaining about it as well. The best part is, you won’t know you’re getting it until it’s too late — the only way I knew I had it was after I received my card, which read «Pathway Enhanced» in small type on it. Make sure you ask via phone ahead of purchase, «Is this a Pathway Enhanced plan?» And then don’t listen to whatever they try to sell you after they say it is. I should have known when the guy on the phone actually used the word «Obamacare», which is incredibly biased and unprofessional, to say the least.
I chose this plan (Called the SILVER 2450 HMO or something like that) after comparing it to some of the ACA Healthcare Exchange programs after my BCBS COBRA ran out (I quit my full-​time job to go freelance two years ago.) I chose it because all of my doctors traditionally accepted BCBS. I checked with both BCBS and all of my doctors ahead of purchase to ensure this plan would be accepted — both parties confirmed yes on the phone. My doctors had no idea that this was a new type of plan with different billing (of course BCBS didn’t make it clear to any members of their network), and as the year went on, some of them dropped this particular plan from their BCBS acceptance list as they learned more about it.
It has caused me a huge amount of strife trying to find doctors and care. Not to mention, it’s crazy expensive ($ 500/​month plus a $ 2450 deductible). I was willing to pay that because I thought I was keeping the doctors I needed and had done everything in my power to ensure ahead of time that would be true. But now that I can’t, it’s a total waste of money. I’ve spoken with my doctors at length and one of them felt bad for me and has continued to provide me service at my previous discounted rate. Things shouldn’t have to be like that.
Come November, I will be heading back to the Healthcare Exchange or potentially even Aetna — I believe I can expect a more honest situation elsewhere.