PPO Anthem plan vs Surest Copay plan

I am one of the employees newly eligible for the Surest plan provided by United. I’ve taken the training and read the provided documents and can see the cost savings provided by the Surest plan on paper, my question is reality, that reality being the potential to have care or claims denied.

I’ve had the Anthem provided plan for close to a decade and have used it. I’ve had little to no issue with claims being denied or procedures/surgeries being delayed.

Can anyone who truly utilizes the Surest United plan provide insight on their willingness to cover what your doctor orders? I’ve heard horror stories from friends who have insurance through other providers, I’ve been happy with Anthem all things considered, but I’d love to save the money if the United plan is going to cover what I need it to.

I don’t want to switch providers if United is going to su-k. Verizon switching from Express Scripts to CVS for our prescription insurance a couple years ago was eye opening, CVS truly su-ks in comparison if a PA is required for a medication. One response would satisfy Express Scripts, CVS will go back and forth for weeks with my doctors over a medication I have been taking for several years. I don’t want to deal with the same for my heath insurance or for anyone else here to have to deal with that.

I hate to ask this on a layoff board but this is a good place to ask for real world feedback

#Feedback

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7 replies (most recent on top)

I recently resigned but had Surest for a few years while at vzw it was great!! Had a $30,000 surgery and only ended up paying $500 max out of pocket.

Rest assured this wonderful special plan benefits Verizon more than you.

I looked into it carefully and decided to remain in PPO Plus. I wanted to like Surest but their upfront transparency falls apart when there are changes between the quoted price and what you end up paying. It is a known problem. You have to document everything and fight with them every step of the way. Some people end up asking to be billed and fighting with Surest to be reimbursed the difference.

It'd be worth it if it worked, but their shortcomings aren't worth the $2K savings in premiums.

Its great until you need it then “oh cr-p, i shouldnt have switched”. If you have no illness or emergencies, just checkups, its great.

@OP There are 3 parts that all add up to you paying a higher Co-pay, Co-insurance, and deductible. All 3 are higher in price with Surest when you need medical care. If you believe that you will never get sick or need medical care you save money. If you do need medical care, you are responsible for a higher percentage of the cost. (And if you don’t get sick where you will need medical insurance, you too can repeat the phrase, “Our medical is better than most places because medical prices are high for everyone”)

I didn't switch. It seemed to good to be true, I rather pay more to keep Anthem PPO than switch. The ranges of the copay with Surest were $25-$300 vs a fixed price. That alone is scary.

You can look up your doctors to see if they're in network and the cost for various things. For me, while Surest was $500 less per year, my PCP visit woult be $45 more with them, my PT would be $30 more per session. Wasn't worth switching for me. But you should do your due diligence

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PPO Anthem plan vs Surest Copay plan

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