<p>Do to a job change we need to choose a new health insurer. Our choices are between Aetna & United Healthcare with the same premium, co-pays, deductibles, etc. All of our doctors accept both. </p>
<p>Can anyone give me some reasons to pick one over the other? (currently we have Oxford, which is somehow related to United.).</p>
<p>(yes - we are in northern NJ)</p>
<p>Nice you have a choice! I’ve had both and it seems that Oxford/United Healthcare is slightly better. Complicated, but possible to manage online. It’s been a long time since I had Aetna though so they may also have the same advantages.</p>
<p>Your name suggests you are in nj, is that so?</p>
<p>I don’t know anything about Aetna.
My DS had an individual United Healthcare policy for 2 yrs between undergrad and grad. He had little need to use the coverage but when he did it seemed fine. Good website to find providers and learn where/how to get bloodwork etc. He’s working FT now with other coverage.</p>
<p>Our DD with special needs has Medicaid. Her coverage is also processed through a ‘community plan’ under United Healthcare. She has a case manager assigned due to special needs that is attentive and useful. </p>
<p>I’ll be interested to hear what others think too.</p>
<p>Due to various job changes, have had multiple insurers in past 5 years, including United Healthcare. Have Aetna now. Aetna has been very easy, no issues to report. It may vary depending on the state, however. And thankfully, we have had no serious claims, just routine stuff. We recently had the chance to switch back to United Healthcare, but decided to stay with Aetna.</p>
<p>We have United Healthcare now. Not by choice. Would change if we could. It’s the worst we’ve ever had. Still trying to get them to settle claims from early 2012.</p>
<p>Have never had Aetna, but had United Healthcare for several years before switching to BC/BS a little over a year ago, and in hindsight, now realize what a nightmare having United Healthcare was.</p>
<p>We’ve had United for many years and I have no complaints - more like compliments. They’ve taken care of us well over the years - good service and I haven’t had to deal with any billing issues.</p>
<p>I think that this kind of comparison isn’t that useful though because they offer a wide variety of plans, maybe even tailored for companies and the experience in my company may not be what you see. My company also offers a number of plans from United and they vary widely - I don’t know what the other plans are like. I imagine that service providers can vary too. In that case, the quality of their respective networks might be an issue.</p>
<p>When it comes to selection, I usually go around asking co-workers for their experiences. Sometimes we wind up in an office with a bunch of employees with the same questions and have a group discussion.</p>
<p>I have no experience with United Health, but have had Aetna for about 2 years and so far am extremely pleased.</p>
<p>As a provider, I much prefer dealing with Aetna than UHC.</p>
<p>UHC is smarmy (IMO) and has been sued several times. Here’s the latest <a href=“U.S. Supreme Court Finalized Lawsuit against United Healthcare for Out-Of-Network Providers – Webinars Announced from ERISAclaim.com”>http://www.prweb.com/releases/2013/2/prweb10481137.htm</a></p>
<p>I agree with the above poster that said you need to talk to your co-workers. My husband has changed jobs a number of times. We have had both Aetna and UHC at different companies. In our case because of the kids we have used the health insurance a lot. I think it depends on whether you are working for a small company or a large corporation that is “self” insured( at least that’s what I think it’s called). We have not had any problems with either insurance when he has worked at a Large corporation. However when he has worked at small companies… They both have been a pain with paying the claims.</p>
<p>It depends on the plan they offer. As a provider I’d far rather deal with Aetna then United Healthcare - both notoriously chintzy for reimbursements. At least with Aetna there is one Aetna to call, not a gazillion sub groups.</p>
<p>United Healthcare is more of a clearinghouse type insurance whereas Aetna is self contained. Trying to figure hot to explain it in a way that makes sense.</p>
<p>Check the coverage of each for the key things you mostly use it for - prescriptions, deductibles, what’s covered what isn’t, what’s the ER policy, etc. </p>
<p>United Healthcare actually administers lots of medicaids, though they’re all getting into that business. Blue cross for example administers a medicare hmo. </p>
<p>If I were you I’d talk to your coworkers and see what they chose and why because each individual plan bought by an individual company will vary.</p>
<p>We’ve had Aetna for several years with zero problems. I like their website and we have many doctors to choose from. I’m very happy with Aetna. </p>
<p>My parents had United Healthcare for their Medicare, and they have had administrative issues and problems with them.</p>
<p>Make sure that your providers take the one you choose. Not all will like United Healthcare. My oncologist’s office just started doing business with them after years of not, and a GP that I had gone to for awhile quit United Health while i was still under his care, and I had to go elsewhere. I suppose that can be the case with any of the insurers, but it seems that my docs don’t like dealing with UH very much.</p>
<p>As a provider, I stay away from United Healthcare. I think many providers feel the same. Aetna is fine to work with. I’m thinking you will have better provider choices if you go with Aetna.</p>
<p>Ask your coworkers. I’ve had both, and dealt with both as a lawyer for my employer, and both are pretty awful, I might give UHC the slight edge in awfulness.</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>That’s exactly what I heard from my providers when we switched!</p>
<p>We were told to stay away from UHC HMO plans. BUT that their PPO plans were OK. </p>
<p>We’ve had them all…Anthem, Aetna, UHC and Cigna. To be honest, it’s like comparing month old apples and oranges. All have good and bad points.</p>