Here are two quick examples of how UHC has screwed me.

1. Last year I had a basil cell carcinoma removed. That is essentially a pre-cancerous mole. The total cost with Blue Cross was two $30 co-pays (you have to have it biopsied and tested, which is one visit, then, if it turns out positive, you have it completely removed on the second visit). This year I had the same scenario. Total cost with UHC was two $50 co-pays, plus $232 in “surgery fees”. Same doctor, same everything. According to the billing clerk at the doctor’s office, this is the norm with UHC. Pay as little as possible for anything. By the way, their total contribution to the cause was $52. We (myself and my employer) pay a total of $1,200 per month for coverage for my family. When I actually need to use the insurance, they pay $52.

2. I am on two recurring medications. The monthly cost under Blue Cross was $11 for both. Under UHC, it is $27. Same medications, same pharmacy. And, to add insult to injury, I was just notified that I will now be forced to use their mail order service or they won’t cover the meds at all. It saves me a whopping $5 per month, but if you have ever dealt with these mail order pharmacies you know that they learned customer service from the same school as the DMV, the IRS, and the cable companies. I am not looking forward to this…

Oh, yes, and in case you are wondering, I am actually paying more per month for coverage with UHC than I did with Blue Cross.