What insurance to pick at new job?

I am 99.9% sure that I have a Maryland State job (just waiting for them to call me back tomorrow). I have been trying to get my bypass surgery for 18+ months. Long story short - after being told my insurance covered the surgery and going through all of the pretesting, they said "oops" you can't depend upon what you (or the surgeon's office) are told over the telephone. Anyway, is anyone out there a state employee? I want to pick the insurance that will give me the best chance of getting the surgery. My options appear to be: Aetna QPOS, CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield BlueChoice HMO, CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield Maryland POS, CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield PPO, Kaiser Permanente HMO, M.D.IPA Preferred POS (MAMSI/UnitedHealthcare), MLH - Eagle PPO (MAMSI/UnitedHealthcare), or Optimum Choice HMO (MAMSI/UnitedHealthcare) Any information will be helpful. Thanks!

Hi - I am a teacher (state employee) and have had gastric by-pass. I picked blue cross blue shield triple choice plan offered by my school district. My surgery was covered without a hitch. I don't know if it was a ppo or a pos. Kaiser, although less expensive, is difficult when it comes to getting gastric by-pass. My surgeon does take Blue cross blue shield. I would not go with the HMO though. With my plan I can self-refer even to specialists. However, I used my pcp to refer me to my surgeon for gastric by-pass. I do pay a few extra bucks a month for the plan. I am not familiar with MAMSI.

Debra, Thanks so much for getting back to me so quickly. I'd rather pay the few extra dollars for BC/BS to have the full coverage I need. Thanks again, April

Hi April! I work in insurance and generally speaking, a PPO plan is much better then the others. I would definately go with BCBS. They may make you do a 6 month diet first, but that goes by really fast. I know mine did! Good luck!

Hi Danielle, Thanks so much. I got the job! I start next week. I've been out of work for quite awhile and have had to put off my surgery 3 times. I'm hyped. I hope to get in with Dr. Vanguri at St. Joe's. I've been to his meeting and was impressed with his manner. Thanks again. I figured PPO would be best and everyone seems to agree. April

Hi April, I don't know who your surgeon is but if you are using Dr. Greene at Shady Grove Hospital I believe most of the BCBS plans cover WLS. I work for the federal gov't and have the BCBS PPO which, as I have been told, usually gives a hassle free approval of WTLS. Elizabeth =)

Hi Elizabeth, Thanks. Everyone agrees with the BC/BS and I'll probably go with the PPO. The responses have been great. I'll keep posting. April

April I'm a state of Maryland employee and I opted for CareFirst Bluechoice. I had no problems getting approved and things went well. An HMO was the right choice for me and I paid nothing for my surgery...that's right it was covered 100%. I only have had to pay my office copays. The surgery and hospital stay was covered 100%. What doctor are you considering? I started my job in July and had surgery in November and was only off for 1 week Tanya 329/228/healthy & happy

Dear Tanya, I am so glad to get your post. I will be starting my job on June 21st and would love to have the surgery asap. Healthy and Happy sounds wonderful! Thanks. April

April Congratulations on your new job! This is going to be a turning point in your life...a new and exciting journey. Please let me know if you have any questions. This new life is WONDERFUL Tanya