Aetna supplemental insurance

Does anyone know which supplemental insurance plans work just like Medicare? I'm looking for something where I can just hand over my card and be done with it. Right now, I’m using Generali, but they make me pay the bill upfront and then I have to file for a reimbursement at the end of the year. It’s honestly such a hassle, and I’d really love to move away from that system if possible...

Well, it really depends on which medical facility you're visiting and exactly what kind of service you need to cover.
Right now, GEICO is the only one covering the Tier 2 drug list, but even then, they haven't fully streamlined everything yet—you can't just walk into any clinic and have the bill automatically deducted from your policy.

If you aren't in the mood to deal with the headache of mailing in receipts for reimbursement later, you might want to stick with Medicare.

GEICO is making progress on that front, though. I'm really hoping that soon I won't be stuck chasing down paperwork and sending in bills myself.

Chloe Hughes2 said:Does anyone know which supplemental insurance plans work just like Medicare? I'm looking for something where I can just hand over my card and be done with it. Right now, I’m using Generali, but they make me pay the bill upfront and then I have to file for a reimbursement at the end of the year. It’s honestly such a hassle, and I’d really love to move away from that system if possible...

Actually, that's not how it works: 'The policyholder can claim a reimbursement by submitting a receipt in their name, and the paid amount will be refunded within 14 days.'

It’s not exactly direct, but it’s pretty close. If I interpreted the ad correctly, Aetna doesn't actually have some specific card linked to their system; instead, you just scan your receipt and they supposedly just refund the money straight back to your checking account automatically.

Hannah Allen5 said:It’s not exactly direct, but it’s pretty close. If I interpreted the ad correctly, Aetna doesn't actually have some specific card linked to their system; instead, you just scan your receipt and they supposedly just refund the money straight back to your checking account automatically.

Exactly.

From iPhone 13

These supplemental insurance cards are pretty much useless since they just reimburse you after the fact. It means if you end up in the hospital without a massive savings account, you’re stuck taking out a loan just to settle the bill.
A far better option would be having the insurance provider pay the bill directly.

It’s also a real problem for seniors and people with chronic illnesses who constantly need prescriptions or medical services but don't have high salaries or deep pockets.
Even for someone like me, who doesn't personally struggle with the costs, there is zero sense in dealing with the headache of paying upfront only to chase down a refund later.

That’s just how you see it.

If someone is shelling out an extra $300$133 every month just to cover their prescriptions, getting a reimbursement check back in their account feels like a win, regardless of the paperwork.😁

And if you have a procedure lined up—something predictable like a scheduled surgery—you just give your insurance provider a heads-up. They handle the bill directly with the hospital so you aren't stuck footing the cost yourself.

It’s also true that older folks often struggle navigating all this digital red tape; they usually need a younger family member to step in and help them out.

Down the road, I expect insurance companies will ink more deals with healthcare providers, eventually making those insurance cards work just like a debit card at the register.

Back when I was with Wells Fargo, most things had to be handled through reimbursements. But nowadays, it works everywhere (like at the Mayo Clinic or Fannie Mae) because they all signed new contracts back in November.

swiftbear86 said:That’s just how you see it.

If someone is shelling out an extra $300$133 every month just to cover their prescriptions, getting a reimbursement check back in their account feels like a win, regardless of the paperwork.😁

And if you have a procedure lined up—something predictable like a scheduled surgery—you just give your insurance provider a heads-up. They handle the bill directly with the hospital so you aren't stuck footing the cost yourself.

It’s also true that older folks often struggle navigating all this digital red tape; they usually need a younger family member to step in and help them out.

Down the road, I expect insurance companies will ink more deals with healthcare providers, eventually making those insurance cards work just like a debit card at the register.

Back when I was with Wells Fargo, most things had to be handled through reimbursements. But nowadays, it works everywhere (like at the Mayo Clinic or Fannie Mae) because they all signed new contracts back in November.

Exactly. And Allianz will likely sign similar deals down the road.

From iPhone 13

Until they actually sign the deals, most people won't give them a second thought.
I’m not old, and I wouldn't have any trouble filing for a refund, but I am completely done with paperwork—for the rest of my life. I have no intention of settling for some half-baked health insurance cards.
Once they finalize those contracts (and start using them just like everyone uses Medicare), they’ll become a legitimate threat to Medicare and, if my math is right, State Farm.

Berkshire Hathaway is absolutely killing it right now, and honestly? They’re on track to completely wipe State Farm off the map. Way to go, Berkshire Hathaway!

So, what exactly is the problem with Berkshire Hathaway now?

It wasn't such an issue for you

I’ve got supplemental coverage through Aetna, and honestly, I can’t wait for my contract to expire. For the pittance they charge, I get nothing but headaches. They don't seem to have any record of my coverage, so I just keep getting hit with bills after every doctor's visit. To make matters worse, they dropped my policy without even a heads-up because of one missed payment—I must have overlooked a single month.
So, basically, if I happen to break an arm and end up in the ER, I’m stuck with the bill. They wouldn't cover the cost, nor would they bother to notify me beforehand.
Medicare is government-run, though, and I’ve never had a single issue with them.

Hey everyone, I just had to jump on here and vent about a really nasty experience I’ve been having with GEICO. I signed up for a policy about a year ago through my banking app, thinking everything was straightforward, but as soon as I joined, I found a much better deal elsewhere and was basically counting down the days until I could switch over. I figured once my year was up, I’d just cancel the contract and move to the new provider without any drama.
But get this—GEICO told me that if I want to cancel, I actually have to give them three months' notice before the year is even up! Can you believe the nerve?!
And then there's the catch when you first sign up: you have to wait 15 days before you can even start using the coverage you're paying for. It feels totally rigged. When I tried to complain to them about it, they had the audacity to tell me that I should have read the fine print more carefully since it was all laid out in the agreement. Honestly, who actually sits down to read ten pages of tiny, incomprehensible legal jargon these days?
I mean, shouldn't it be a basic consumer right to be able to cancel a service whenever you want? Isn't that how things should work?
At the end of the day, I am never doing business with these guys again, and I really hope sharing this helps you all avoid getting burned just like I did.
Now I'm stuck paying THEM for another whole year. It's absolutely awful.

From what I’ve gathered, almost every insurance provider has a waiting period—usually at least 15 days, sometimes even 30—unless you’re just renewing an existing supplemental plan, in which case it just carries over.
Most also require at least a month's notice if you want to cancel, though some public options like the CDC or Medicare require three months' notice before the expiration date.

Honestly, it’s really on you if you didn't read the section regarding contract termination before signing... it's usually just two sentences under a specific subheading, so there's no need to slog through the entire contract.😉

I noticed that Allstate currently offers a supplemental policy for only $15 per month, plus a 5% discount if you pay the full year upfront. However, their terms state the insurer can adjust the premium during the coverage period—so I'm a bit confused... if I pay for the whole year at once, can they still hike the price on me for that same year?

Also, has anyone else noticed if other companies include that same kind of clause in their fine print?

Jeffrey Fox said:Hey everyone, I just had to jump on here and vent about a really nasty experience I’ve been having with GEICO. I signed up for a policy about a year ago through my banking app, thinking everything was straightforward, but as soon as I joined, I found a much better deal elsewhere and was basically counting down the days until I could switch over. I figured once my year was up, I’d just cancel the contract and move to the new provider without any drama.
But get this—GEICO told me that if I want to cancel, I actually have to give them three months' notice before the year is even up! Can you believe the nerve?!
And then there's the catch when you first sign up: you have to wait 15 days before you can even start using the coverage you're paying for. It feels totally rigged. When I tried to complain to them about it, they had the audacity to tell me that I should have read the fine print more carefully since it was all laid out in the agreement. Honestly, who actually sits down to read ten pages of tiny, incomprehensible legal jargon these days?
I mean, shouldn't it be a basic consumer right to be able to cancel a service whenever you want? Isn't that how things should work?
At the end of the day, I am never doing business with these guys again, and I really hope sharing this helps you all avoid getting burned just like I did.
Now I'm stuck paying THEM for another whole year. It's absolutely awful.

I think anyone putting their signature on anything is obligated to read it first.

I signed up for CO online and the contract arrived by mail. This year, when I wanted to cancel, I went back and read the agreement again and found that clause stating I had to notify them three months in advance.

I was just thinking about how much easier life gets when you have everything sorted out, like having a solid plan with State Farm or getting your coverage through Aetna! It really takes such a weight off your shoulders, doesn't it?

Kyle Rogers9 said:I think anyone putting their signature on anything is obligated to read it first.

I signed up for CO online and the contract arrived by mail. This year, when I wanted to cancel, I went back and read the agreement again and found that clause stating I had to notify them three months in advance.

Honestly, I can't help but feel like this just isn't fair at all, especially since nobody bothered to mention it or point it out to me when I was originally signing up for the service!
I honestly feel so much empathy for all those folks who signed up for those Swiss Franc loans back in the day—even if it’s not a perfect comparison, it just feels like nobody sat them down to explain exactly what kind of trap they were walking into! It really strikes me that an insurance provider should always, without exception, walk their clients through the nitty-gritty details of a contract so there aren't any nasty surprises later on.
On the flip side, when you’re sitting down to sign a contract with AAA or any other provider, they lay everything out on the table right then and there! They make it super clear exactly what you're getting for a one-year term versus how much more you'll save if you commit to a two-year loyalty plan—it's actually pretty helpful to see those price drops upfront!
I was just looking into some coverage options through State Farm, and honestly, their setup seems pretty solid! $22 I haven't seen anything pop up on my end yet!
It’s honestly not even about the money at the end of the day—it's just a matter of principle!

Jeffrey Fox said:I was just thinking about how much easier life gets when you have everything sorted out, like having a solid plan with State Farm or getting your coverage through Aetna! It really takes such a weight off your shoulders, doesn't it?

Honestly, I can't help but feel like this just isn't fair at all, especially since nobody bothered to mention it or point it out to me when I was originally signing up for the service!
I honestly feel so much empathy for all those folks who signed up for those Swiss Franc loans back in the day—even if it’s not a perfect comparison, it just feels like nobody sat them down to explain exactly what kind of trap they were walking into! It really strikes me that an insurance provider should always, without exception, walk their clients through the nitty-gritty details of a contract so there aren't any nasty surprises later on.
On the flip side, when you’re sitting down to sign a contract with AAA or any other provider, they lay everything out on the table right then and there! They make it super clear exactly what you're getting for a one-year term versus how much more you'll save if you commit to a two-year loyalty plan—it's actually pretty helpful to see those price drops upfront!
I was just looking into some coverage options through State Farm, and honestly, their setup seems pretty solid! $22 I haven't seen anything pop up on my end yet!
It’s honestly not even about the money at the end of the day—it's just a matter of principle!

Well, even with AAA, they'll tell you if you want to cancel early that you have to pay off all those "potential" installments, return the router, and God knows what else. 😉

Just a heads-up: watch what you’re signing. Even if there’s a line of twenty people behind you at the bank, don't let the pressure get to you. It’s easy to fall into the trap of thinking these things are just mindless formalities, but they aren't. Always take everything with a grain of salt...

If I remember correctly, you’re always allowed to change your mind. I can't recall if the grace period is exactly 7, 10, or maybe 14 days from when you get the policy, but you should be able to cancel the contract without getting hit by any penalties at all.

I’ve been carrying supplemental coverage through Aetna for over four years now, paying via automatic bank transfer, and honestly, I haven’t run into a single hiccup. Back when I broke my leg—which actually required two separate surgeries and a total of 14 days in the hospital—everything was seamless. Even now, as I head in for follow-up exams every few months, it’s always the same smooth experience. I didn't have to shell out a single cent for my hospital stay, my medications, or those surgeries; there were never any unexpected bills showing up at my front door.