Aetna has their own scumminess. Want the convenience of 90 day refills? Have to use their mail order service. They'll refuse to authorize >30 day supplies of medication through any other pharmacy.

These comments (on UHC, Aetna) always strike me the same way as complaining about the lack of inflight meal,

baggage fees,

or lack of WiFi,

on, say, Spirit Airlines.

You looked at the list of insurers/jobs offering health insurance carriers,

selected the cheapest, or second-cheapest option,

and you’re surprised they’re harder to work with?

How?

Oh yes, because the vast majority of employers in the US say "pick whatever healthcare plan you want from whatever carrier you want, we'll make it work" and not "You'll get what you're given and be glad for it".

Even in tech spaces with money to throw around, that just means that maybe your partner and dependent's premiums will be covered/negligible, or that your deductible will be low.

You're still going to be fucked by their policies, though.

You’ve highlighted why I do not work for the vast majority of employers in the US.

Pay me enough in cash to secure my own wellness with whatever organizations I choose, or: next, please.

aetna uses UHC for this.