View Full Version : question for Wal-Mart employees
As you know from my previous post, I just got hired as cashier at the Wal-Mart that is to open here in July.
I will not be eligible for medical benefits for 180 days, but was wondering if any employees can tell me about the coverage you have.
I have the choice of the Associates' Medical Plan, or HMO. I have read my Associate Guide, but it doesn't give as much info as I'd like to know. I will find out more when I'm eligible but would like to have something to think about in the meantime and thought the best advice would come from employees themselves.
I'd appreciate any replies to help me decide what's the best choice.
Thanks Much :)
Eyore
06-08-2005, 06:35 AM
I can't help with your question I have never worked at Wal-Mart. Was wondering where in PA they are opening a new one at. I heard Tamaqua was suppose to get one but not sure when.
ezmoney163
06-08-2005, 06:42 AM
I can't help with your question I have never worked at Wal-Mart. Was wondering where in PA they are opening a new one at. I heard Tamaqua was suppose to get one but not sure when.
They have a new one opening in Titusville too. They just took some of the employees from the Cranberry/Seneca one to go up to set up the store.
schsa
06-08-2005, 06:57 AM
I know a great deal about HMO's and the regular plan is probably a PPO network. It will depend on how sick you are, are you kids also going to be insured with you if you have any, and how much hassle you want to go though when you see a doctor. HMO's are very strict and if you don't follow their rules you will find that they won't pay benefits. PPO's are less restrictive.
Do you have a strong HMO network in your area? Did they give you a list of the doctors and what hospitals they are affiliated with? If not, get the number for the HMO and call them and ask if they have a website and if they can give you any information. I would do the same for the PPO.
Personally, I perfer the flexibility of the PPO over the HMO. But if you have a good strong HMO network it might be worth joining.
tammy77
06-08-2005, 07:13 AM
My dh will be getting insurance in 3 months.Does anyone know which company they use and if they cover infertility?Which one will be the best for us HMO or PPO?
Kelsey1224
06-08-2005, 08:04 AM
I work in benefits and a PPO is definitely better than an HMO. With a PPO, you can still go "out of network" and be covered...just at a lower percentage than if you stayed within the network. That is very important to some people.
Personally...I would avoid an HMO at all costs. What many people are unaware of is that HMO's are paid an incentive by the insurance carrier to NOT order expensive tests. Medical groups are rewarded for keeping their costs down.
My dh will be getting insurance in 3 months.Does anyone know which company they use and if they cover infertility?Which one will be the best for us HMO or PPO?
In their associate guide it says that the Associate Medical Plan is through Blue Cross Blue Shield, and the HMO depends on what state you are in, for PA there are 4 different ones listed.
I can't help with your question I have never worked at Wal-Mart. Was wondering where in PA they are opening a new one at. I heard Tamaqua was suppose to get one but not sure when.
Titusville. :)
Eyore
06-08-2005, 06:21 PM
ezmoney163 and CJOV thanks for reply. I looked at a map on line and that looks like it is over by Pittsburgh. I am on the other side of the state. That Wal-Mart is just to far for me to check out.
Good Luck with your job CJOV hope it works out for you.
justinenycole26
06-08-2005, 07:52 PM
My DH works at the DC.
The insurance they offered him SUCKED. Thank God he and my kids are on my insurance so we could turn down their insurance altogether.
For the first year, meds are only covered at 50%, and you have to pay the pharmacy yourself and send in a claim form for them to reimburse you. Dr visits were equally ridiculous, but I don't remember what exactly they paid. Maybe the plans they offer in your area are different. I would check it out completely before you sign up. It might not even be worth it.
I would not be so quick to judge an HMO plan. They are often considerably cheaper, and due to stricter regulation, they are not the same as they were in the 80's. I have an HMO with out of network benefits, so it is essentially a PPO, but for some reason still classified as an HMO. I pay a $5 copay for office visits, even specialists, and have never had any problems with tests being covered. Even my sleep studies, which were $2K each and my MRIs which were $1500 each. The only problem I have with my insurance is that there are a LOT of drugs they do not cover, including almost all allergy meds and almost all acid reflux meds. But from what i have heard, it's not just my insurance company, it is all of them.
3lilpigs
06-09-2005, 02:39 AM
As you know from my previous post, I just got hired as cashier at the Wal-Mart that is to open here in July.
I will not be eligible for medical benefits for 180 days, but was wondering if any employees can tell me about the coverage you have.
I have the choice of the Associates' Medical Plan, or HMO. I have read my Associate Guide, but it doesn't give as much info as I'd like to know. I will find out more when I'm eligible but would like to have something to think about in the meantime and thought the best advice would come from employees themselves.
I'd appreciate any replies to help me decide what's the best choice.
Thanks Much :)
6 MONTHS TO GET INSURANCE! :eek:
ARE YOU SERIOUS!?
Good Lord, you can go to McDonalds and get it after 30 days! lol.
Eyore
06-09-2005, 04:04 AM
We used to have plain old insurance the kind before PPOs and HMOs. Now we have a PPO and I can't tell the difference in the two except where one may have covered a little more than the other. We have Highmark and was able to choose the plan we wanted out of several offered to us. We choose the best plan they had to offer and the better the plan the more it cost.
They used to offer a Geisingers HMO but no more. Only a few took it and it cost more than the PPO did.
I will run from a HMO as fast as I can if I can choose between that and a PPO.
If you do decide to go with a HMO and Geisinger is one listed I would take that one. I have heard nothing but good about that one. But I would still go with a PPO if I were you.
As far as waiting 6 months for insurance I remember hearing that before and they also don't do preexisting conditions from what I was told. That was several years ago so it could have changed. Did find out from someone that did work there, after you haven't been treated for so many years I think 5 it is no longer a preexisting. Something you can check into if you ever need to know.
Thanks for the replies, I appreciate it and would appreciate anyone else's as well :)
ezmoney163 and CJOV thanks for reply. I looked at a map on line and that looks like it is over by Pittsburgh. I am on the other side of the state. That Wal-Mart is just to far for me to check out.
Good Luck with your job CJOV hope it works out for you.
Thanks Eyore!
(Titusville is about 2 hours north of Pittsburgh, and about 1 hour south of Erie.)
schsa
06-10-2005, 04:27 AM
Call about anything that says coverage for infertility. Most plans will cover the tests to diagnose infertility but they will not cover artificial insemination or the drugs to become pregnant. So you want to clarify what they will or they won't cover before you start the infertility program. The drugs are not cheap nor are any of the procedures.
ezmoney163
06-17-2005, 10:07 AM
Thanks Eyore!
(Titusville is about 2 hours north of Pittsburgh, and about 1 hour south of Erie.)
Hey CJOV ~ Where are you?? Now I am dying to know how close we are, LOL!! My husbands family is all from Titusville. Lemme know. LOL;)
Hey CJOV ~ Where are you?? Now I am dying to know how close we are, LOL!! My husbands family is all from Titusville. Lemme know. LOL;)
ezmoney163, I'm in Titusville too! :)
ezmoney163
06-18-2005, 05:42 AM
ezmoney163, I'm in Titusville too! :)
That is awesome!! We are only 20 minutes from each other. :D
That is awesome!! We are only 20 minutes from each other. :D
Hey Neighbor! It IS a small world afterall!
Do you know anyone that is coming from the Cranberry WalMart to the Titusville store?
ezmoney163
06-18-2005, 06:32 PM
Yep. I know that Laura (not personally though) who is CS is coming up. SHe is sooooo nice always has a smile for everyone. :D I donnoo anyone else right off hand, but I heard quite a few people are gonna be there at least for the first few weeks to get set up.
I so hope you enjoy working there. I can not wait till it opens so I can go see what kind of deals we can get there. LOL;)
Yep. I know that Laura (not personally though) who is CS is coming up. SHe is sooooo nice always has a smile for everyone. :D I donnoo anyone else right off hand, but I heard quite a few people are gonna be there at least for the first few weeks to get set up.
I so hope you enjoy working there. I can not wait till it opens so I can go see what kind of deals we can get there. LOL;)
They started setting up the store this past Monday. It is to open in mid July. All the employees were given 2 week schedules for training / setting up, my schedule starts July 2nd. I was at the store the other day to get my paycheck for orientation and some training that I'd already done, it looks great inside! When Opening Day is announced I'll let you know!
ezmoney163
06-19-2005, 06:36 AM
They started setting up the store this past Monday. It is to open in mid July. All the employees were given 2 week schedules for training / setting up, my schedule starts July 2nd. I was at the store the other day to get my paycheck for orientation and some training that I'd already done, it looks great inside! When Opening Day is announced I'll let you know!
Great I would love that. I am so excited to see it!!
:D :D :D :D :D
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