Are there retirees experiencing the same issues with via benifets and blue cross not being fully staffed? I have been on the phone at least 12 hours and gotten no where.
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Via Benefits does not have a very good review rating at the Better Business Bureau. 1.09 star out of 5 .
https://www.bbb.org/us/ut/south-jordan/profile/insurance-consultant/via-benefits-one-exchange-1166-22242628/customer-reviews
I uploaded a PDF from BCBS showing payment received and a balance of zero. It took VIA a few days to approve it.
I did call VIA a few minutes ago for a question - I only had to wait 2 minutes!! Things are getting better or I got lucky.
to @9vui+1eS5R36K I did the same thing ! You would think that purchasing our insurance through Via Benefits would be enough, but apparently it isn't. They finally accepted my reimbursement claim when I sent my payment history from Blue Cross. The payment history needs to show your name on it as well.
I attached the screenshot of the payment history that shows payment received. Apparently this was not enough. What document did you attached that showed proff of payment to Viabenefits?
I will most likely set up the auto pay, but I figured I would do the manual process at first to see how/if things work.
This situation is frustrating - but trying to make the best of it.
I am now waiting to see when VIA makes the next contribution as I just paid BCBS directly (credit card) for Feb.
Simple yes, but are you planning on doing that every month? I haven't given up on setting up automatic reimbursements once VIA gets their records for my health insurance straightend out. Once that's done I think I am done with VIA as my health insurance is more than the $500/month provided by Ford
I uploaded a copy of the paid bill/receipt that I obtained from the BCBS site, it took VIA a few days to approve it and another 3-4 days for the reimbursement to show up in my bank account.
Very simple!!
So does anyone know how to get reimbursed the 500.00 a month for my wifes health insurance policy. Blue care network has no clue. What form do they want so Im not going in circles. Sound to me Ford did not role this out well with insurance companies or VIA benefits or they are playing stupid soi ford doesn't have to pay out money us retiress have coming to us?
I’m not sure if the benefits team is fully staffed, but the salary payroll team certainly isn’t. I left the company a month ago and Ford has stiffed me out of my last paycheck and I can’t get anyone to confirm when my check will be sent. They direct deposited it and then reversed the direct deposit a month ago. Can’t get a straight answer from the payroll people in India. Next step is reporting Ford to the Michigan labor bureau for investigation since it is a Michigan provision that they are supposed to pay you on the next scheduled payday in the same period you resigned. Just further solidifies that I made the right choice by leaving.
EMU uses United Healthcare as their insurer for students. Plan looks enticing. -- $2,142/year, $0 deductible, out of pocket maximum $1,250. Student does not have to be pursuing degree but unfortunately has to be full time, so that looks like you would have to enroll in 3 classes. If you are a senior over 62 tuition would only be $450/term + fees. However 3 classes is a lot if you don't have a strong love of learning.
I assume all of you complaining about health care and insurance costs will be the first to call for and support universal healthcare paid for by taxes, right? Right?
I just researched the novel idea of being taking college classes to get low cost health insurance. I found it is indeed cheap, $1929/year with low deductible for BCBS! The only caveat with BCBS is that you must be a degree seeking student to be eligible. So the guy below would have apply and be accepted to EMU's fine arts department to pursue a BFA in Cinema. Other insurance companies will have there own rules.
@3xyi+1eS5R36K
What a creative idea. I'm thinking of a Cinema class at at Eastern to get access to their rec center when they get their indoor long course pool repaired. At Eastern you get Alumni rates after completing one class. Student rates are only $50. Tuition for students age 62 and up is only $150+fees
From 3zhi+1eS5R36K
Students are young, healthy, and so is their health insurance. Enroll at a local college / university that offers good insurance, take minimal classes that you enjoy, exercise your brain, and add some “structure” to your weekly routine. Spend a little money on tuition, enjoy your chosen “work”, and save a lot on health insurance.
@3zhi+1eS5R36K Any chance you could elaborate? If true (option for 17k vs 30k), then I may seriously consider retiring this year! Yes, I realize people are thinking if I can't afford another 13k then maybe I can't afford to retire ... it's really more about the principle of the thing.
"Working outside Via I found BCBS of MI PPO with a $1000 deductible and $10k out of pocket max for $6264 per year for the 2 of us. I do have to spend some time weekly doing some entertaining work for this but it also gives me something enjoyable to do as well. It’s a win-win for me to save the $30k."
On via I found a BCBS of MI PPO with a $1500 deductible and $10k out of pocket max for $36.6k. Working outside Via I found BCBS of MI PPO with a $1000 deductible and $10k out of pocket max for $6264 per year for the 2 of us. I do have to spend some time weekly doing some entertaining work for this but it also gives me something enjoyable to do as well. It’s a win-win for me to save the $30k.
RE "Thinking of retiring" Help Request prior post:
A. 2021 had Blue Cross PPO ( Silver) before at $1900 a month ( Ford paid $1400) with $7000 deductible.
B. 2022 through VIA Benefits have Blue Cross HMS (Bronze) at $1600 a month and $14000 deductible. With B Ford will pay a subsidy depending on family members covered but you will pay 100% of your Vision and Dental if added. Cant afford Silver plans ~ $2000.
You will not be able to view VIA Benefits plans/ Marketplace.gov until enrollment begins again. Estimates VIA gave me early pre-enrollment changed drastically and will always cost more than you expect.
- Hope that helps
I submitted additional documents to get reimbursed every day and tried to get an appointment for help to no avail. Eventually, I received notification that my HRA payment was approved, but the money has not yet come through. It seems that they earn income holding the funds Ford contributes to our HRA accounts, therefore they are in no hurry to pay.
I am now paying the second monthly premium for a total of over $3,300 with no reimbursement. BTW, dealing with Ford Pass Rewards points works about the same.
I met a Target white collar retiree who worked at their corporate headquarters. He had almost the exact same complaints about losing decent health insurance 3 years ago as a pre-Medicare retiree.
The insurance companies are making 30-40 percent profit. They are paying VIA who doesn't provide much value IMO. Ford went with VIA as a small percentage will take the government benefits over Ford reimbursement as their income is low.
I am not a Democrat or a Socialist but some sort of controls are needed IMO
Health care is crazy expensive! Something needs to be done! Regular yearly check ups are covered completely by insurance but anything else goes toward your deductible. It’s terrible that we can’t wait to get to 65 & save some money on health care when Medicare kicks in!
The OOP maximum is most important. I believe that should be a key area of focus.
Lipid profile is $500, colonoscopy is $3000, office visit is $150, etc. etc. These are little things that won't wipe you out but the plans vary a bit on what they will pay.
If I'm going to hit my OOP maximum, does it really matter if I select Bronze, Silver or Gold?
There is not a huge difference in out of pocket between bronze, silver and gold plans. Staying safe and healthy is the most important thing to minimizing what you pay.
To @1oyc+1eS5R36K The premiums on HealthCare.Gov are the same that Via Benefits . The higher the deductible, the lower the premium. Premium's are also determined by age. The older you are, the more the premium is. To get an idea of premiums just go to
https://www.healthcare.gov/create-account
Estimates are per person not per household
If you have no chronic conditions or prescriptions it's not too bad, about $2,500 - $3,200 per year provided you have no accidents.
If you have chronic conditions or get into an accident it looks like $12,000 - $17,000 per year.
At 65 you will go on Medicare which is much cheaper.
Thinking of retiring at the end of the year and trying to research existing plans, but other than going to the Government/State websites I can't seem to locate VIA offerings. I would like to start out by locating the cost for plans similar to what Ford offers for BCBS PPO. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
So far I have not had any problems with VIA or BC but thankfully I have not had to call either. I did have a call wih VIA during the enrollment period but it was useless.
My January reimbursement for the monthly bill went smoothly. I uploaded the Jan statement from BC, and within a few days the money was direct deposited to my savings account. No issues with the dental plan either - they pulled from my savings account directly.
Anyone know if there is a time limit? Is it possible to lose the $500 reimbursement for January if we can't get it through VIA quick enough
I am having problems, called three times on the same issue. One representative tried hard and did 3 way call with insurance company who faxed proof back to VIA. But it seems the back office has done nothing. They say that they are still waiting to hear from the insurance company, apparently the fax isn't good enough, or not the right communication channel.
It is terrible to have the same issue unresolved for a month. I will keep calling back, what else can I do?
Need a class action lawsuit is what we need. Pulled the rug out from underneath us.
Oh no! I’ve been waiting to call them regarding reimbursement! Yikes! What a pain in the a$$!
Via Benefits is absolutely horrible!! Their reimbursement process is terrible. They seem to reject everything that I upload for proof of insurance. I had a phone appointment with someone to work to help work on this reimbursement issue. The person was no help at all. He would talk in circles about things unrelated to my issue. I suspect the people working on the reimbursement approvals work overseas as it seems that my claims are reviewed during the night.