Anthem Blue Cross/ Another Takeaway

[MrFedEx]

Here we go again! FedEx has managed to locate and contract with an insurance carrier with a worse reputation than CIGNA, alhough CIGNA will still provide certain services. In their official statement to employees, FedEx claimed that they would stick to their tradition of providing "robust" insurance coverage for employees? Robust? Right...

Several fellow employees have already checked and found that their current providers don't accept Anthem Blue Cross. Wonder why? Because Anthem doesn't want to pay a decent amount for services. Recently, the group which represents physical therapists in CA charged Anthem with offering compensation well below market rates. The net result? Fewer physical therapists accept Anthem Blue Cross. It is the same across the board for other types of medical services too. Oh, and Anthem was just refused a request for a 39% rate hike in California. I guess they pay their CEO and upper management in the same manner that FedEx does.

This is another takeaway, and although FedEx hasn't officially revealed the details of the new plan (wonder why), you can count on decreased benefits, higher co-pays, and fewer providers to choose from. Once again, your wage has effectively been slashed because you must dig deeper into your pocket. How are they going to spin this one to pretend they are actually "enhancing" our incredibly "robust" plan?

THANKS, FRED!!!

 

[LTFedExer]

Do you have a link for both of these? FedEx contracting with Anthem and Cigna being one of the worst insurance companies? I can't seem to find any info on it.

 

[MrFedEx]

Do you have a link for both of these? FedEx contracting with Anthem and Cigna being one of the worst insurance companies? I can't seem to find any info on it.

Google Anthem and you'll get about 20 pages on the 39% rate hike proposal in CA. The commentary from the physical therapists and other groups follow. CIGNA sucks from personal experience. I didn't look for any stats on them.

 

[LTFedExer]

I'm not from there, so I'm assuming Anthem is the only coverage offered FedEx employees in CA?

I think health coverage is different in every state even from the same company. I haven't had any major illnesses that needed extended time off, so I can't say. Though one of our dispatchers stayed 10 extra years just to use Cigna to cover his kidney problem before he retired.

 

[vantexan]

Google Anthem and you'll get about 20 pages on the 39% rate hike proposal in CA. The commentary from the physical therapists and other groups follow. CIGNA sucks from personal experience. I didn't look for any stats on them.

Is this nationwide? I've had no problem with Cigna and used the medical frequently dealing with a health issue. I'm most concerned about them not offering a plan with 100% coverage. A serious illness could ruin one financially, even with 90% coverage.

 

[MrFedEx]

Is this nationwide? I've had no problem with Cigna and used the medical frequently dealing with a health issue. I'm most concerned about them not offering a plan with 100% coverage. A serious illness could ruin one financially, even with 90% coverage.

A bunch of states are being switched from CIGNA to Anthem/Blue Cross. I don't know if TX is one of them. CIGNA is famous for denying claims, and I've had issues with them. They aren't very well-liked by providers, but may actually be better than what we're going to get. I hear that all of the divisions will eventually be under one provider to cut costs.

 

[quadro]

I heard that some states will remain Cigna while others will be Anthem. Don't know which are which. JDPower has some seemingly current customer satisfaction type info on both of them. Some states Cigna was better, some Anthem.

 

[FedEx2000]

A bunch of states are being switched from CIGNA to Anthem/Blue Cross. I don't know if TX is one of them. CIGNA is famous for denying claims, and I've had issues with them. They aren't very well-liked by providers, but may actually be better than what we're going to get. I hear that all of the divisions will eventually be under one provider to cut costs.

Approx. 18 states staying under Cigna, the rest switching to Anthem. TX will be one of the ones moving to Anthem. No info. yet on any cost differences from what it is currently. There's an employee handout that has a map showing which states are covered by which company.

 

[vantexan]

Sr.Mgr told us today that we are switching over to Anthem Blue Cross. Sorry FedEx2000 didn't read your post first.

 

[MrFedEx]

Sr.Mgr told us today that we are switching over to Anthem Blue Cross. Sorry FedEx2000 didn't read your post first.

Bend over and assume the position.

 

[brandy38612]

Hi all! I am new to this site but seen some of the info. Fed Ex did sign with Anthem. I am an employee and I know that in Indiana we are switching from Cigna to Anthem in January. There are a few states left in the US that are sticking with Cigna, but for the majority of the states it is going to be anthem.

 

[UnconTROLLed]

From what I have been reading Anthem Blue Cross are serious crooks, this looks to be a good match! Think Fred is getting a good deal on this one?

 

[MrFedEx]

From what I have been reading Anthem Blue Cross are serious crooks, this looks to be a good match! Think Fred is getting a good deal on this one?

Maybe Fred is buddies with the CEO at Anthem? Stranger things have happened, and crooks do tend to associate with each other.

 

[Itstime]

60% of the company has been moved under Anthem.

The company saved tens of millions of dollars when it made this move. We will all reap the rewards.

An erosion of benefits or a gain for us all?

Don't believe the spin! Look for yourself at what you are getting.

- It's time

 

[MrFedEx]

60% of the company has been moved under Anthem.

The company saved tens of millions of dollars when it made this move. We will all reap the rewards.

An erosion of benefits or a gain for us all?

Don't believe the spin! Look for yourself at what you are getting.

- It's time

I'm betting what we're getting is the usual....screwed. "It's Time" for a union...so we don't.

 

[vantexan]

I'm betting what we're getting is the usual....screwed. "It's Time" for a union...so we don't.

We aren't far from having to renew our coverage. We'll know pretty soon what our costs will be. If it's more than Cigna I may take my chances and do without. At least I'd get a take-home raise.

 

[snackdad]

It's funny, we used to have a copay of 40.00 to see a specialist and a 25.00 copay (Cigna) to see a general practitioner for anything. That is with insurance. Without insurance you pay 75.00 for the GP visit and 80.00 for the specialist. Do the math and average it out over a year. When my employment ended at FedEx COBRA wanted 850.00 per month to continue current coverage per month for two people. That is 10,000.00 a year! I could buy a liver and a kidney for that price. Not really, but it makes you wonder of the cost effectiveness of some of these insurance plans. The fear factor of that "catastrophic illness" should be avoided and your overall health should be an indicator as to what your needs are. Doing without and paying as you go may be a smart alternative. Put the extra money saved in the rainy day account.

 

[FXManager]

First week of Anthem and my wifes MRI got shot down, then they wouldn't pay for her prescriptions unless she ordered through the mail which of course costs a stupid amount of money where it should be minimum copay for a generic.

Congratulations FX Execs now your management is turning against you. What a bunch of tools.

 

[MrFedEx]

First week of Anthem and my wifes MRI got shot down, then they wouldn't pay for her prescriptions unless she ordered through the mail which of course costs a stupid amount of money where it should be minimum copay for a generic.

Congratulations FX Execs now your management is turning against you. What a bunch of tools.

It's called shooting yourself in the foot. I've also heard of Anthem denials and problems with the new prescription plan.Why do you think they shifted the onus of getting specialist "approvals" over to us anyway? So they could be DENIED, saving millions. Do you think Fred, Dave, MT3, and the rest of them have to deal with this kind of crap? The answer would be "no". Of course, they all make enough money where they could probably buy their own hospital.

Congratulations on being a manager who actually has 20/20 vision.

 

[FedExer267]

Wow sounds like your healthcare plan is as good as the one at Ground. They keep this up and you all will get medical benefits from the state too. Gotta love FredEx