Words cannot fully explain how incredible this company is. They stand out of the way of your Doctor and your care. all of 2025 I have faced some very complicated heath issues with Stage 4 cancer and also lost a spouse of 40 years. Sidecar Health stood right by me, covered all my care with some very expensive non standard treatments and covered it all. If it was not for this company, I absolute would not be typing this review, I would would be dead. I owe my life to Sidecar Health for the attention and worry free on who is going to cover the bills. I also am extremely grateful for their employee Ms. Debbie, who personally calls and checks on my needs to make sure everything is being handled. That is ONE CLASS ACT !
KV
Kim V.
At first it's a little complicated but…
At first it's a little complicated but once you figure out what you need to do it's a good insurance
NF
Nicholas F.
I mean it’s different but once I got…
I mean it’s different but once I got done with my prescription basically I was going to Kroger and they’re not a network so I had to pay for my prescription and they did give me a quarter of it back when I submitted it for an expense they didn’t have to do that, but I mean it’s kind of just like insurance but you don’t have to pay all this money out-of-pocket so they’re OK. I am just getting used to them.
AL
AlyArt
Worst Health insurance Company SIDESCAM
Sidecar is gaslighting everyone to get on board with their NEW concept in health care. Don't fall for it. Dealing with Sidecar is challenging. It is the most frustrating company for Insurance, potentially the worst insurance company I have dealt with in my life. And I had to deal with the VA for my father's care. The mental toll it has taken to deal with them. Tonight I just want to cry!!! Nothing is transparent, except how difficult it is to deal with them. Doctors sometimes do not take CASH. Surprise bills, yup, have them and Sidecar will not cover bills, so now I have to pay ( will be above what a co-pay would have been). Almost every bill is a struggle to get a claim. I have a stack of paper sitting next to my desk, with issues from basic to complex care. Sidecar will not send anything via UPS mail; they have no way to do this ( fact) I had to request, and they need to go through their lawyers to see if they could ( What, never heard of this, I just wanted paper bills and forms, etc). Nothing is easy or simple with Sidecar. 6 months just to resolve a normal doctor appointment. Even a lost card that was used by someone else took months to resolve. My surgery was canceled at a surgical center *due to a medical issue. This is understandable. Surgery now needs to be at a hospital. Sidecar wanted PROOF why! I got that proof in records, letters, and reports. (Life-threatening issues were not enough in the records.) It took many calls, emails, and driving to providers and hospitals to get records, as some records couldn't be found on online portals. After weeks and providing everything I could get my hands on, SideCar has denied my surgery at a hospital. The surgical center will not do the surgery., I have that in a physical official letter. I spent $$$ and time to get this surgery done, and without it, my mobility will be limited. Living on painkillers and not being able to do simple things like getting groceries is going to happen soon. Earlier this year, it was impossible to get around. I'm not old!!! I'm the one you look at in the Handicap space and comment Why does she need a handicap spot. Till you see me walk... This is NOT INSURANCE. Sidecar is a SIDESCAM. Customer service is uneducated, one rep's last job was an UBER driver (no dish on that it's a reality in the job world). The work you need to put in for the claims is a second job. Someone (Patrick Quigley) Sidecar has found a loophole in the ACA to get in. Patrick Quigley, by the way, is a tech guy, as with most tech, it's about the money. he and his company are not out to keep you healthy, they are here to make MONEY! Their advertising is slick, but in no way let that sway you into enrolling. Read reviews. Sidecar has bots all over, esp Reddit. Find real reviews from real customers as to real experiences. Go with a company for your Health care that has a track record, and not one that is a tech start-up and NEW to the game. Normal traditional health care companies have their challenges, but they pale in comparison to SideSCAM
Response: The claim that " doctors do not take cash from Sidecar is incorrect. I have proof and receipts (Broken messages threads from Sidecar) that some doctors will not take cash, self-pay. With normal insurance, you would pay with a CC, and doctors do take that for payment of a co-pay.
As to the Hospital, I only received a PREAPPROVED for TWO hospitals, not multiple hospitals. ( have proof. These two hospitals are the only ones where the doctor practices.
As far as choice, I do not have a CHOICE, as I'm on a wait list for a cancellation. My surgery was canceled at a surgery center due to medical complications. One hospital is covered, the other is over $37,000 out of pocket after the deductible.
Again, I do not have a CHOICE, I get the call and surgery is scheduled. Working days & weeks to get and submit records, letters, and calls to doctors, providers, and hospitals. Even an SC informs me I have to go to a surgery center, which I can not, they will not do the surgery due to risks. WHAT??
Tranpancey, you will have surprise billing; costs are not on the website or app. Fact: Even on the app, you can't view your policy. Messages have been deleted, and are missing between SC and me, on the website and app. I'm unable to go back to the beginning of message threads. (app and website). Have proof! You will need preapproval.
"NOT ALL DOCTORS DO SELF-PAY". SC reps are not educated in HEALTH Insurance state law and regulations.
Many services and procedures are not searchable on the site to get costs. Even if you find a service, it's very vague as to what SS will cover
There is no saving when the amount of work is HOURS and WEEKS, and you are still paying exorbitant costs out of pocket. NOT ALL DOCTORS WILL DO SELF-PAY!! SC reviewed my case. Complaint 11/3 was after the review rec FRI 10/30. SC, get your act together. Stop the gaslighting
Response from Sidecar HealthNov 3, 2025
We appreciate the chance to clarify how Sidecar Health actually works, because several of the claims in this review misrepresent our model.
Sidecar Health is fully ACA-compliant employer-sponsored major medical coverage, recognized in all 50 states. Our plans meet federal standards for comprehensive health benefits and undergo the same regulatory review as any other qualified health plan.
While traditional insurance companies rely on networks, referrals, prior authorizations, and denials to lower costs, Sidecar Health’s approach is unique. We offer members a “Benefit Amount” for every type of healthcare service they might need. That amount is set to the local average where the member lives. When members choose lower-cost care, they get to keep half the savings. When they choose more expensive care, they simply pay the difference themselves. Either way, the choice is there.
Sometimes, members might need to get a procedure at a more expensive facility. In those instances, the member requests a higher Benefit Amount and provides documentation for why their procedure needs to take place in, say, a hospital setting. In this member’s case, that’s what happened. Their request for a higher Benefit Amount was approved, but the member submitted a complaint here before we finished our review.
The claim that “doctors do not take cash” is incorrect. Nearly every provider in the U.S. accepts credit cards, which is how our members pay at the time of care. This direct-pay model allows providers to get paid immediately and often results in discounted rates for patients.
We also want to be clear that Sidecar Health does not pay for or manipulate online reviews. Trustpilot strictly prohibits paid or incentivized feedback, and we share that commitment to transparency. Our team responds to reviews like this one to ensure accurate information is available to the public and connect with members directly when additional support or follow-up is needed.
JC
Jackie C.
Sidecar Gets 10 Stars From My Family
I’ll be the first to admit, I was completely against switching to Sidecar Health when Sylvania Schools made the change in January 2025. After 20 years with Paramount, I didn’t want to deal with a newer company, especially with my daughter scheduled for a multi-million-dollar open-heart surgery. I was one of the loud voices encouraging my coworkers to vote no on the switch. I truly believed it would be a nightmare.
I could not have been more wrong.
Before our plan even officially began, I was contacted by Debbie, my Sidecar case manager, in November 2024. From day one, she went above and beyond — working directly with me and the hospital where my daughter would be having her surgery. She secured a good faith estimate ahead of time and made sure every single cost was covered. I never had to fight, beg for approvals, or worry about surprise bills. She handled everything.
Our out-of-pocket expenses this year have been significantly lower than what we paid with our old insurance; even with a surgery that lasted 18 hours and was performed at a hospital across the country.
After we came home from California, exhausted but grateful, a beautiful bouquet of flowers arrived from Sidecar Health. I actually cried. It wasn’t just about coverage...it was about care.
So here I am, eating my words proudly: Sidecar Health has exceeded every expectation. They proved me wrong in the best possible way, and I am incredibly thankful for their support during the most difficult time of our lives.
I never thought I’d be writing a glowing review for an insurance company, but they’ve earned it.
NI
Nikki
Health insurance for any situation
I recently was able to do a virtual visit through my amazon app, get my prescription through amazon delivered next day, all at no cost. The best part is, I was able to do all this before 7am (which matters when you're a stay at home mom with 3 little kids). Sidecar has been great!
RR
Ronald R.
I'm not thrilled to make copies of my…
I'm not thrilled to make copies of my bill and make xtra trips to the dr's office for that. Then paying a portion of my bill out of pocket as payment plan was already set up for me..what's the point on having insurance?
Response from Sidecar HealthOct 14, 2025
We’re sorry to hear about your frustration and appreciate you sharing your experience. You should be able to get an invoice directly from your provider either at your visit, through your provider’s online portal, or mailed or emailed to you, so there’s no need to make an extra trip to their office.
We’ve also recently rolled out new options for expense submission to make things easier if getting an invoice is a challenge. You can now submit visit notes (often given at the end of your appointment or available online through your provider’s portal), among other new ways to submit.
With Sidecar Health, there should never be unexpected costs. When you shop for care, you always know upfront what your plan pays and what you’ll owe — or even earn back — before your visit. And while it’s not required, choosing care at or below the Benefit Amount is a great way to make sure you never owe more for care than your deductible. The choice is truly yours.
If you’d like help walking through these steps or using the new submission options, our member support team would be happy to assist. Feel free to message them in the app, or call (877) 653-6440.
KM
Katie M.
Spending less than a traditional carrier
I used to be part of traditional insurance my entire life. Every year that I was recommended to get an ultrasound along with my mammogram, I dreaded the $400+ cost (that was my negotiated rate). Some years I skipped it because I couldn't afford it. When moving to sidecar, I was very curious what my ultrasound was going to cost me. I called the same facility I have been going to and asked what is their cash price and it was $150!!!! I couldn't believe it. The same ultrasound but $350 cheaper. Shame on these big insurances for making care unaffordable. Thank you to Sidecar, for offering a plan that allows me to know the cost and shop around and ultimately save money.
