Medicaid insurance help

amother

Wed, Jan 15 2020, 6:29 pm

My DD now has United health Care. I was made aware by her orthodontist that UHC is stopping to pay for orthodontics. They want me to switch her to fidelis. I was planning on switching her to empire once her braces come off cuz that's what my last 2 kids are on plus myself. My problem is that she has maybe another 2-3 visits left. My dilemma is if it's worth to switch her for this short time or pay out of pocket? Help me decide plz.

precious

Wed, Jan 15 2020, 6:32 pm

How complicated is it to switch? Can you switch mid-treatment and they'll cover the rest? What's the out of pocket cost if u don't? Would you rather go through the hassle of switching or pay the cost?

amother

Wed, Jan 15 2020, 6:35 pm

precious wrote:

I don't know. Cuz once you switch there's a min of months that all insurance have that you must stay on. I'm way past mid treatment. I'm almost done. I wrote she has around 2-3 visits left. It's almost 2 yrs- Purim time.

amother

Khaki

Wed, Jan 15 2020, 6:56 pm

Does she need to be on empire for any specific reason? I don't really see the need for family members to be on the same plan unless there will be major inconveniences such as seeing different pediatricians, dentists, etc.

ra_mom

Wed, Jan 15 2020, 6:57 pm

amother [ OP ] wrote:

Find out how much the remaining 3 visits will cost, and then you'll be able to make an informed decision.

amother

Wed, Jan 15 2020, 7:07 pm

amother [ Khaki ] wrote:

The general answer is no. But empire is an insurance that many Drs who normally don't take any Medicaid insurance take, do take. Other than orthodontist, many great specialists take empire rather an any other insurance. Even optometry/Opthalmology.

amother

Wed, Jan 15 2020, 7:08 pm

ra_mom wrote:

Find out how much the remaining 3 visits will cost, and then you'll be able to make an informed decision.

I was thinking of doing that. To find out exactly how much longer she needs the braces and how much it will cost.

amother

Wed, Jan 15 2020, 7:09 pm

My question is cuz my research is telling me that fidelis isn't the greatest insurance so that's why I'm hesitant to switch.

tothepoint

Wed, Jan 15 2020, 7:17 pm

Every time you change your HMO, you get to be on a 3-month trial period. After the 3 months you need to stay with the new plan for the next 9 months. So how about you switch her now to fidelis to cover for the next few visits and switch her again to empire before the 3-month trial ends?

amother

Wed, Jan 15 2020, 7:48 pm

tothepoint wrote:

Oh is it that's how it works? That might be an option if she gets her braces off within the next 3 months. Tnx for the info.

tothepoint

Thu, Jan 16 2020, 11:58 am

amother [ OP ] wrote:

Oh is it that's how it works? That might be an option if she gets her braces off within the next 3 months. Tnx for the info.

Please confirm this with Medicaid when you speak to them. I'm not sure you if the you can switch to a new HMO within the trial period, or if you can only switch back to the previous plan (UHC).