Email update about health insurance change

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm furious that the unions did not survey their members to gather feedback and get their preference. Many employees would rather pay more to keep BCBS then be forced to switch to Cigna. It isn't just about providers that accept Cigna, it's also about what medications and treatments they will and will not cover. I know they do not cover DBT therapy which is a life saving therapy program for many teens and adults. I guarantee they will not cover weight loss treatments at the same level as BCBS. I can only hope they cover gender affirming treatment/surgery and conception interventions and support that allow for all employees, regardless of gender or martial status, to receive benefits. It is careless of the unions to agree with this without getting input from their members, they are not representing the employees.

All that you just named has nothing to do with the carrier and everything to do with what the employer selects to cover. I’ve had Cigna insurance for years (formerly had CareFirst too) and DBT is absolutely covered. So is weightloss treatment - that saves the carrier major money then paying millions for strokes and heart attacks. Gender surgery is at the discretion of the employer. Counseling and medication tends to be covered regardless as many providers still bill as gender dysmorphia (I’m not even sure if there is another categorization at this point for providers to use).

All that said. I hope you’ve contacted the union to clearly express your frustration. That’s your role as a member and they need to hear it.

FWIW, my spouse and two children have Cigna and I have United Health and the Cigna benefits have been far superior, especially for mental health. The reimbursement rates for out of network therapy and psych appts are much higher than United’s. Not sure how United compares to BCBS, but I wanted to share a positive Cigna experience to give you another perspective.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I wish I found this reassuring, but I don't. There is simply zero chance that a health insurance giant in this day and age would give the same or better coverage for a lot less money. The difference will be extracted somewhere. I'm still very upset. And I would love to know what the general reaction has been. No one I have talked to is happy about this. Picking a time where everyone has been under incredible strain and they can't retain staff is just such a tone deaf time to make a huge change like this.

This is my thought.

I have a lot of worry about Cigna since my household consumes a lot of health care: two cancer survivors, three autoimmune conditions, a teen with HFA, anxiety, and (suspected) juvenile RA as well as food allergies, and another with food allergies, anxiety and OCD. I can’t help but worry that we’ll have higher copays or that some services won’t be covered.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I wish I found this reassuring, but I don't. There is simply zero chance that a health insurance giant in this day and age would give the same or better coverage for a lot less money. The difference will be extracted somewhere. I'm still very upset. And I would love to know what the general reaction has been. No one I have talked to is happy about this. Picking a time where everyone has been under incredible strain and they can't retain staff is just such a tone deaf time to make a huge change like this.

This is my thought.

I have a lot of worry about Cigna since my household consumes a lot of health care: two cancer survivors, three autoimmune conditions, a teen with HFA, anxiety, and (suspected) juvenile RA as well as food allergies, and another with food allergies, anxiety and OCD. I can’t help but worry that we’ll have higher copays or that some services won’t be covered.

i would start calling your providers if you haven’t already. One my kid’s doctors doesn’t take cigna through one office, but does out of another. one provider doesn’t work with cigna at all. Spouse is looking into his insurance options at work. we can’t count on the county to make this right.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm furious that the unions did not survey their members to gather feedback and get their preference. Many employees would rather pay more to keep BCBS then be forced to switch to Cigna. It isn't just about providers that accept Cigna, it's also about what medications and treatments they will and will not cover. I know they do not cover DBT therapy which is a life saving therapy program for many teens and adults. I guarantee they will not cover weight loss treatments at the same level as BCBS. I can only hope they cover gender affirming treatment/surgery and conception interventions and support that allow for all employees, regardless of gender or martial status, to receive benefits. It is careless of the unions to agree with this without getting input from their members, they are not representing the employees.

All that you just named has nothing to do with the carrier and everything to do with what the employer selects to cover. I’ve had Cigna insurance for years (formerly had CareFirst too) and DBT is absolutely covered. So is weightloss treatment - that saves the carrier major money then paying millions for strokes and heart attacks. Gender surgery is at the discretion of the employer. Counseling and medication tends to be covered regardless as many providers still bill as gender dysmorphia (I’m not even sure if there is another categorization at this point for providers to use).

All that said. I hope you’ve contacted the union to clearly express your frustration. That’s your role as a member and they need to hear it.

FWIW, my spouse and two children have Cigna and I have United Health and the Cigna benefits have been far superior, especially for mental health. The reimbursement rates for out of network therapy and psych appts are much higher than United’s. Not sure how United compares to BCBS, but I wanted to share a positive Cigna experience to give you another perspective.

United Health is trash. We had it years ago and spent thousands OOP. Had to switch because high risk obs really didn’t want to take it. Ended up with CareFirst and would have happily paid more to keep it. I wish they had just added Cigna for the employees who wanted to switch to save on their share.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm furious that the unions did not survey their members to gather feedback and get their preference. Many employees would rather pay more to keep BCBS then be forced to switch to Cigna. It isn't just about providers that accept Cigna, it's also about what medications and treatments they will and will not cover. I know they do not cover DBT therapy which is a life saving therapy program for many teens and adults. I guarantee they will not cover weight loss treatments at the same level as BCBS. I can only hope they cover gender affirming treatment/surgery and conception interventions and support that allow for all employees, regardless of gender or martial status, to receive benefits. It is careless of the unions to agree with this without getting input from their members, they are not representing the employees.

All that you just named has nothing to do with the carrier and everything to do with what the employer selects to cover. I’ve had Cigna insurance for years (formerly had CareFirst too) and DBT is absolutely covered. So is weightloss treatment - that saves the carrier major money then paying millions for strokes and heart attacks. Gender surgery is at the discretion of the employer. Counseling and medication tends to be covered regardless as many providers still bill as gender dysmorphia (I’m not even sure if there is another categorization at this point for providers to use).

All that said. I hope you’ve contacted the union to clearly express your frustration. That’s your role as a member and they need to hear it.

FWIW, my spouse and two children have Cigna and I have United Health and the Cigna benefits have been far superior, especially for mental health. The reimbursement rates for out of network therapy and psych appts are much higher than United’s. Not sure how United compares to BCBS, but I wanted to share a positive Cigna experience to give you another perspective.

United Health is trash. We had it years ago and spent thousands OOP. Had to switch because high risk obs really didn’t want to take it. Ended up with CareFirst and would have happily paid more to keep it. I wish they had just added Cigna for the employees who wanted to switch to save on their share.

All the young, healthy, low-risk people would switch. Leaving those left on the more comprehensive insurance with rates skyrocketing even more. Pooled costs and shared risk are the only ways insurance works.

[Anonymous]

I work for a dental provider and the MCPS BCBS Dental coverage is crap. They constantly are trying to deny a claim and are very slow in processing claims. It’s a bottom of the barrel plan. The medical PPO plan is hopefully better than the dental coverage but I always wondered why HR doesn’t do a better job sticking up for employee benefits.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I wish I found this reassuring, but I don't. There is simply zero chance that a health insurance giant in this day and age would give the same or better coverage for a lot less money. The difference will be extracted somewhere. I'm still very upset. And I would love to know what the general reaction has been. No one I have talked to is happy about this. Picking a time where everyone has been under incredible strain and they can't retain staff is just such a tone deaf time to make a huge change like this.

This is my thought.

I have a lot of worry about Cigna since my household consumes a lot of health care: two cancer survivors, three autoimmune conditions, a teen with HFA, anxiety, and (suspected) juvenile RA as well as food allergies, and another with food allergies, anxiety and OCD. I can’t help but worry that we’ll have higher copays or that some services won’t be covered.

i would start calling your providers if you haven’t already. One my kid’s doctors doesn’t take cigna through one office, but does out of another. one provider doesn’t work with cigna at all. Spouse is looking into his insurance options at work. we can’t count on the county to make this right.

Thanks! It looks like all of our current providers take Cigna. It could be an issue in the future if we need to switch or add doctors. Our kids are slowly transitioning from pediatric specialists to ones who treat adolescents and adults. They’ll need to be on our insurance for 6-7 more years minimum and at least one will probably go to college out of state and need care close to campus.

Good luck with your search. Hopefully, your spouse’s employer has better options.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I work for a dental provider and the MCPS BCBS Dental coverage is crap. They constantly are trying to deny a claim and are very slow in processing claims. It’s a bottom of the barrel plan. The medical PPO plan is hopefully better than the dental coverage but I always wondered why HR doesn’t do a better job sticking up for employee benefits.

And the dental isn’t going to change. Or vision.

FWIW, our pediatric dentist refused to take Aetna, which was the old insurance.

[Anonymous]

From MCPS today:

https://www2.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/siteassets/district/departments/ersc/employees/news/qa_about_cigna_medical_plans_in_2023.pdf

Employee and Retiree Service Center (ERSC)
Questions and Answers About Cigna Medical Plans in 2023

Q: I heard that Cigna is only available in 13 states. As a retiree living out of state, I am very concerned that I won’t have access to covered medical care if I choose
Cigna. Is my concern justified?
A: As an employer-provided plan, the Cigna medical plans offered through MCPS will be available to our retirees living in any of the 50 states. Cigna is only available in 13 states to individuals whose coverage is provided through the Affordable Care Act state exchanges.

Q: What if I need to reach Cigna’s customer service on a weekend?
A: Cigna will offer 24/7 customer service support.

Q: I have been seeing the same doctor for more than 10 years. Will I have to switch doctors if covered by Cigna?
A: In most cases, you will not need to switch doctors. Cigna has a nationwide network of providers and will provide in-network coverage of between 92-95 percent of providers currently being used by MCPS employees and retirees. There are, however, a small number of in-network CareFirst medical providers who will not be considered in-network with Cigna.

Q: Is it true that Cigna’s in-network plan doesn’t have enough mental health providers in Montgomery County to cover the need?
A: Cigna has more than 900 mental health providers who provide in-person care in Montgomery County. In addition, there are approximately 2,000 mental health providers who provide care virtually.

Q: Does Cigna cover cancer treatment?
A: Cigna covers cancer treatment, including care at 20+ National Institutes of Health-based cancer care sites.

Q: Will my college-aged children have medical coverage if they attend a college out of state?
A: Yes, since Cigna is available in all 50 states, they will be covered within the United States. The only exception is if they choose to study outside of the United States.

Q: Is it true that Cigna doesn’t have Medicare doctors?
A: No insurance plan has Medicare doctors. Doctors choose whether or not to accept Medicare. If they accept Medicare, all Medicare Supplemental plans will be accepted, including Cigna’s.

Q: Does Cigna have a pre-existing condition coverage exclusion?
A: No, they do not. The Affordable Care Act doesn’t allow pre-existing condition exclusions.

Q: A coworker told me that Cigna’s in vitro fertilization (IVF) benefit is more limited than CareFirst’s. I had planned to have IVF next year. What coverage can I except with Cigna?
A: You can expect the same IVF coverage with Cigna that you would have had with CareFirst.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:From MCPS today:

https://www2.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/siteassets/district/departments/ersc/employees/news/qa_about_cigna_medical_plans_in_2023.pdf

Employee and Retiree Service Center (ERSC)
Questions and Answers About Cigna Medical Plans in 2023

Q: I heard that Cigna is only available in 13 states. As a retiree living out of state, I am very concerned that I won’t have access to covered medical care if I choose
Cigna. Is my concern justified?
A: As an employer-provided plan, the Cigna medical plans offered through MCPS will be available to our retirees living in any of the 50 states. Cigna is only available in 13 states to individuals whose coverage is provided through the Affordable Care Act state exchanges.

Q: What if I need to reach Cigna’s customer service on a weekend?
A: Cigna will offer 24/7 customer service support.

Q: I have been seeing the same doctor for more than 10 years. Will I have to switch doctors if covered by Cigna?
A: In most cases, you will not need to switch doctors. Cigna has a nationwide network of providers and will provide in-network coverage of between 92-95 percent of providers currently being used by MCPS employees and retirees. There are, however, a small number of in-network CareFirst medical providers who will not be considered in-network with Cigna.

Q: Is it true that Cigna’s in-network plan doesn’t have enough mental health providers in Montgomery County to cover the need?
A: Cigna has more than 900 mental health providers who provide in-person care in Montgomery County. In addition, there are approximately 2,000 mental health providers who provide care virtually.

Q: Does Cigna cover cancer treatment?
A: Cigna covers cancer treatment, including care at 20+ National Institutes of Health-based cancer care sites.

Q: Will my college-aged children have medical coverage if they attend a college out of state?
A: Yes, since Cigna is available in all 50 states, they will be covered within the United States. The only exception is if they choose to study outside of the United States.

Q: Is it true that Cigna doesn’t have Medicare doctors?
A: No insurance plan has Medicare doctors. Doctors choose whether or not to accept Medicare. If they accept Medicare, all Medicare Supplemental plans will be accepted, including Cigna’s.

Q: Does Cigna have a pre-existing condition coverage exclusion?
A: No, they do not. The Affordable Care Act doesn’t allow pre-existing condition exclusions.

Q: A coworker told me that Cigna’s in vitro fertilization (IVF) benefit is more limited than CareFirst’s. I had planned to have IVF next year. What coverage can I except with Cigna?
A: You can expect the same IVF coverage with Cigna that you would have had with CareFirst.

I would like to believe this. It goes against all logic that we’re going to get the same benefits for less cost (to the county, I am sure our individual cost will not go down).