has anyone had any issues with Ambetter and them requiring prior authorization for stuff?

i'm nervous about the whole "may require prior authorization" thing. almost every category on this one plan I'm looking at through Ambetter says "may require prior authorization."

so anyway i'm shopping for insurance on the marketplace, and ive narrowed it down to 8 plans I think, some BCBS, some UHC, and some Ambetter.

i'm almost tempted to just go with UHC because it's what my family had growing up and i don't recall my parents having any issues with denials and stuff, despite what i'm seeing from people's experiences on this sub. i had two major surgeries with UHC and my parents had a few copays or coinsurance bills (i can't remember exactly) and i even had a 4-day hospital stay and everything seemed to work out. we were poor growing up and i don't remember them saying claims were denied or having to deal with a bunch of medical debt. UHC has a lot of doctors i'm interested in using (i want to switch away from my current doctor).

Ambetter seems to have a lot of doctors and specialists in network. i might need an ENT specialist and endocrinologist so specialists are important to me right now. and probably xrays and imaging and bloodwork.

i'm losing my health insurance in 4 days so i have to make a decision soon. and i need bloodwork in 3 months, possibly an endocrinologist, an ENT on board because i have chronic ear problems, and diagnostic imaging for anything endocrinology or gastroenterology related.

so anyway i'm looking at Ambetter, this one policy, and it says

Diagnostic test (xray, bloodwork) and Imaging (CT, PET scan, MRIs): 30% coinsurance; prior authorization may be required. Cover no limit. Other places of service may include: Hospital, ER, or Outpatient Facility.

"Prior auth may be required:" for drugs, outpatient surgery, mental health, hospital stay, etc.

Prior auth can slow down medical care right? so should I even deal with Ambetter or forget about it?

And then my final possible option is BCBS but a lot of doctors i'm used to and the medical group i've been using for nearly 20 years isn't covered with BCBS..

so idk what to do.. how do i get ahold of an insurance agent? if i call healthcare.gov do they have agents i can speak to?

submitted by /u/kh7190
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