Freedom Blue, with zero cost in almost all of Calif., WAS a nice program. Many people heard the overview and said “it’s too good to be true–what’s the catch?” The catch is, it’s finished. Unsustainable–apparently. Out-competed by AARP / United Health Care / Secure Horizons–another part of the equation.
Customers are just starting to get mysterious letters from the company about changes coming up, and that Anthem-Blue Cross has alternatives for them. Maybe in a few urban counties, there will be a good alternative from Anthem, but for my people in rural areas, no luck there.
And in a few counties, like Sacramento, Placer, and Yolo, it turns out that for 2012, AARP / UHC has a similar plan with zero premium. I doubt it would have been developed if not for Blue Cross setting the pace with zero premium. With AARP / UHC’s amazing direct mail marketing program, many customers will jump to UHC.
Other choices range from zero premium for no supplement and hope for the best, to 60 or so per month for a supplement with a deductible–actually a smart choice for many people–up to 140 and up for a good supplement and a drug plan. I will be delivering that cheerful news to my customers over the next few months.
