topic Re: Anyone Hear Of Oscar Health Insurance in Community Chat

Anyone Hear Of Oscar Health Insurance

Jordan2 — Sat, 22 Nov 2014 21:11:49 GMT

I posted about this elsewhere and it was suggested to me to come here. I live in New York state and must buy a health insurance plan for myself. I now have Empire but not too happy with it. I was looking at Oscar which I think is only available in my state but can't find out too much about it. Of course the more money you spend the better the plans. I looked at United Healthcare and Oxford but they are very expensive. Maybe someone knows something about Oscar they can tell me?TIA

Re: Anyone Hear Of Oscar Health Insurance

kittymomNC — Sat, 22 Nov 2014 21:14:50 GMT

Maybe Terrier3 might know something about it - she's selling insurance under the ACA and lives in NY state, but she's apparently literally up to her neck in snow right now. Maybe she will see this and have some information for you.

Re: Anyone Hear Of Oscar Health Insurance

tansy — Sat, 22 Nov 2014 21:17:37 GMT

Even if terrier isn't up to her neck in snow, I'm not sure she posts much on the weekend. She's probably your best bet for good info, jordan.

Re: Anyone Hear Of Oscar Health Insurance

CelticCrafter — Sat, 22 Nov 2014 22:04:09 GMT

The first thing I would want to know is how long have they been around or if they are a spin off from one of the other health care companies.

I wasn't able to find any of that information on their website.

It's just my opinion but the name alone would make me pass them over. For now I'd be a little wary.

Re: Anyone Hear Of Oscar Health Insurance

kittymomNC — Sun, 23 Nov 2014 19:22:03 GMT

Bumping up - hoping Terrier will see this.

Re: Anyone Hear Of Oscar Health Insurance

dobiesrule — Sun, 23 Nov 2014 19:53:07 GMT

How 'bout checking with the State Board of Insurance?

Re: Anyone Hear Of Oscar Health Insurance

terrier3 — Sun, 23 Nov 2014 19:57:03 GMT

On 11/23/2014 kittymomNC said:
Bumping up - hoping Terrier will see this.

I can help, but I need to know what county you live in first.

Re: Anyone Hear Of Oscar Health Insurance

terrier3 — Sun, 23 Nov 2014 20:06:06 GMT

On 11/23/2014 terrier3 said:
On 11/23/2014 kittymomNC said:
Bumping up - hoping Terrier will see this.

I can help, but I need to know what county you live in first.

Here is an article I found on them...they use the same provider list as Health Republic - they both got it from MagnaCare.

There have been issues here in WNY where MagnaCare hasn't paid providers in a timely manner and many are dropping out of their network.

This might cost less - but your choice of providers may also be restricted.

http://nymag.com/health/bestdoctors/2014/oscar-health-insurance-2014-6/

Re: Anyone Hear Of Oscar Health Insurance

Jordan2 — Sun, 23 Nov 2014 20:12:32 GMT

Hi terrier3! I live in Queens, New York. I was wondering if you can tell me about Oscar health insurance? I was also looking at Health Republic (I think that's what it's called) and was told by 2 offices that one is the worst. I have an Empire gold plan I'm not too happy with. I'm thinking of going with a platinum plan but really don't want to spend more than $700 a month as I purchase insurance myself. Thank you for any help you can offer.

Re: Anyone Hear Of Oscar Health Insurance

terrier3 — Sun, 23 Nov 2014 20:25:34 GMT

On 11/23/2014 jordan2 said: Hi terrier3! I live in Queens, New York. I was wondering if you can tell me about Oscar health insurance? I was also looking at Health Republic (I think that's what it's called) and was told by 2 offices that one is the worst. I have an Empire gold plan I'm not too happy with. I'm thinking of going with a platinum plan but really don't want to spend more than $700 a month as I purchase insurance myself. Thank you for any help you can offer.

I sell insurance in WNY, but I can tell you that Oscar has the same base as Health Republic.

They are both new companies, that basically undercut the established firms, keeping their rates lower. Since they both use the same provider network, I'd be a little suspect of Oscar - HR has a lot of complaints here too, with providers not getting paid.

I think you need to figure out how healthy you are and how often you see a doctor (and how many meds you are on). The healthier you are, the more the silver & bronze plans make sense. Also, do you live part of the year in another state? If you do, the PPO plans make sense. If you are basically here, check to see if you can be treated out of network in an emergency.

I spoke with a man who was visited his son in PA. He had a medical emergency - chest pains. He called Health Republic and they said he would have to either drive back home (3 hours) or pay for the PA emergency room entirely himself!!! He actually drove home. Luckily it was heartburn - not a heart attack.

Empire is part of the Blue network - you can be go to any emergency room and get treated as if you are home.

See the NY Magazine article on Oscar in my earlier post...

Re: Anyone Hear Of Oscar Health Insurance

Jordan2 — Mon, 24 Nov 2014 01:29:00 GMT

On 11/23/2014 terrier3 said:
On 11/23/2014 jordan2 said: Hi terrier3! I live in Queens, New York. I was wondering if you can tell me about Oscar health insurance? I was also looking at Health Republic (I think that's what it's called) and was told by 2 offices that one is the worst. I have an Empire gold plan I'm not too happy with. I'm thinking of going with a platinum plan but really don't want to spend more than $700 a month as I purchase insurance myself. Thank you for any help you can offer.

I sell insurance in WNY, but I can tell you that Oscar has the same base as Health Republic.

They are both new companies, that basically undercut the established firms, keeping their rates lower. Since they both use the same provider network, I'd be a little suspect of Oscar - HR has a lot of complaints here too, with providers not getting paid.

I think you need to figure out how healthy you are and how often you see a doctor (and how many meds you are on). The healthier you are, the more the silver & bronze plans make sense. Also, do you live part of the year in another state? If you do, the PPO plans make sense. If you are basically here, check to see if you can be treated out of network in an emergency.

I spoke with a man who was visited his son in PA. He had a medical emergency - chest pains. He called Health Republic and they said he would have to either drive back home (3 hours) or pay for the PA emergency room entirely himself!!! He actually drove home. Luckily it was heartburn - not a heart attack.

Empire is part of the Blue network - you can be go to any emergency room and get treated as if you are home.

See the NY Magazine article on Oscar in my earlier post...

Thank you for the article. I think Oscar is too "hip" for me and I rather go with a more established company. I probably will look at some more options before deciding. Thanks again.