Health Plans: Alternatives to BC/BS

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No, nothing wrong with your math. 

There is a large difference in cost with Standard and I was going to switch to it b/c the cost of prescriptions are considerably cheaper especially through mail order.  However, the additional cost of deductible, co-insurance with blood tests and xrays also makes it much more costly than basic and perhaps too much to warrant the difference in premiums if meds are the only difference in cost.  

I don't understand why there isn't a cheaper prescription alternative for basic in terms of the mail order.  

I'm going to check out the NALC carefully to see how it compares to what I'm paying for basic.  We will top up our FSA to cover all my scripts.

Since dh has been with the feds, the Standard premiums have almost doubled in 5 years with the 2010 rates.   Co-pays and co-insurances have also increased as have deductibles.   It really ticks me off that people are being priced out of it because it is a good plan, especially after seeing the GMA story on how insurance co CEO's are living high on the hog like the financial and auto industry were.  I don't think it's fair our premiums increase so much without some sort of oversight into how that money is spent and regulation over ridiculous increases year after year. 

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sparksals Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Rookie Joined: 25 Mar 2007 Posts: 33	Post Options Post Reply Quote sparksals Report Post Quote Reply Topic: Health Plans: Alternatives to BC/BS Posted: 08 Nov 2009 at 10:15am
	No, nothing wrong with your math. There is a large difference in cost with Standard and I was going to switch to it b/c the cost of prescriptions are considerably cheaper especially through mail order. However, the additional cost of deductible, co-insurance with blood tests and xrays also makes it much more costly than basic and perhaps too much to warrant the difference in premiums if meds are the only difference in cost. I don't understand why there isn't a cheaper prescription alternative for basic in terms of the mail order. I'm going to check out the NALC carefully to see how it compares to what I'm paying for basic. We will top up our FSA to cover all my scripts. Since dh has been with the feds, the Standard premiums have almost doubled in 5 years with the 2010 rates. Co-pays and co-insurances have also increased as have deductibles. It really ticks me off that people are being priced out of it because it is a good plan, especially after seeing the GMA story on how insurance co CEO's are living high on the hog like the financial and auto industry were. I don't think it's fair our premiums increase so much without some sort of oversight into how that money is spent and regulation over ridiculous increases year after year.

charko Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Advisor Joined: 20 Mar 2002 Posts: 126	Post Options Post Reply Quote charko Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 09 Nov 2009 at 5:59am
	BC/BS for monthly retired family is on Standard 400.97 for Basic 235.98. My regional bc also told me that when I'm traveling and need an ER basic would PROBALY cover it, but check with your regional carrier. I'm not to concered because we use I-95 between florida and NY and i can always find a meduim city that takes basic. I am on 2 high maintance drugs at 105.00 for 3 months but will stop the three month thing on basic cause 35.00x3 equals 105. so i rather renew. To me right now basic is worth the higher cost of rx given the difference in the 2 plans. Also BC BS claims that they are not allowed to ask for the lower Medicare rate on RX drugs, which might explain why they are so high, don't know if thats an excuse or true. Edited by charko - 09 Nov 2009 at 6:02am

weedkill3 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Advisor Joined: 25 Jun 2008 Posts: 125	Post Options Post Reply Quote weedkill3 Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 12 Nov 2009 at 9:23pm
	Besides BC/BS, how does NALC rate for people who live overseas?

gullsroost Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 01 May 2007 Posts: 4	Post Options Post Reply Quote gullsroost Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 19 Nov 2009 at 1:07pm
	NALC is CIGNA Ins. the PPO with them are the ones I had BCBS (TN.). I've had NALC for 2yrs. & they have great, that said they went up $600/yr. Family, almost doubled copay on drugs, up 25% catastrophic, up 20% deductible, raised covered services to 15% from 10%. The are still much cheaper than BCBS & I like them better

peacefulgains Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 19 Nov 2009 Location: Washington, DC Posts: 4	Post Options Post Reply Quote peacefulgains Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 19 Nov 2009 at 1:38pm
	This is a little off-topic, but have you looked into dietary treatment of diabetes? For example, check out this website: http://www.rawfor30days.com/index4.html Edited by peacefulgains - 19 Nov 2009 at 1:39pm

sparksals Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Rookie Joined: 25 Mar 2007 Posts: 33	Post Options Post Reply Quote sparksals Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 30 Nov 2009 at 4:46pm
	Thanks for the suggestions, PG... but I think I will stick to medically supervised treatment for my diabetes and the low carb diet recco'd by my doc and dietitian. Back on topic.. has anyone checked out the plansmart website and figured out a change in plans? I'm still researching. It's such a tough decision. Has anyone used the Consumer driven plan with the HSA?

coral Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 25 Jun 2008 Posts: 6	Post Options Post Reply Quote coral Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 01 Dec 2009 at 10:55am
	Have you checked out Samba? The standard is about the same as blue cross and according to them you do not have to have a referral for doctors or specialists. I had SAMBA when I was an FBI employee years ago and i am about to switch to it again. I had AETNA for the last two years for AETNA will not be available in my area this year.

emkute Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 08 Jul 2008 Posts: 4	Post Options Post Reply Quote emkute Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 03 Dec 2009 at 6:44am
	I made the switch from BC Standard to Basic last year based on an analysis similar to previous posts. My major concern was less favorable coverage of prescription drugs especially compared to the mail order option of BC standard. My switch ended up being beneficial because I have aggressively sought out coupons from the drug makers and I switch refills among the major pharmacies in my area (Walgreens, CVS and Target) in response to gift card offers. This creates a need to maintain some records but it's was worth it. With the BC Standard mail order, one can't use drug maker coupons and switch from pharmacies in response to periodic gift card offers.

danaf Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 10 Nov 2009 Posts: 16	Post Options Post Reply Quote danaf Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 09 Dec 2009 at 8:19pm
	As a new employee and coming from a corporate entity, I am shocked that what I had is better than what I have to choose from as a new gov employee. I thought government benefits were supposed to be superior and I guess for some things, they are. But not health insurance. To me, hospital ins./coverage is the most important because I think that is where costs can really add up. But it's a crap shoot. I know for others, its the meds they take that can add up. No matter how you dice it, I feel like I'm in for a financial ride with all the choices. Given the strength in numbers of gov. employees and the fact that in general we make less than private sector, I am really shocked at the overall rates. I'm also very leary of percentage based plans. Hospital bills can be tremendous where even 10 or 15% of the cost can break the bank. None of the choices work well for me, my family situation, and our locale. But I guess it's the price one has to pay for a somewhat stable job.

rocky_road Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 11 Dec 2009 Posts: 1	Post Options Post Reply Quote rocky_road Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 11 Dec 2009 at 8:54pm
	I have had BC/BS for 14 years and it has been fine for several operations. I just retired and the premium increase has caused me to check other options. I just changed to NALC because of the premium cost and the office visit co-pay. Hopefully the prescription mail away with be as good as BC/BS. I am eligible for Medicare Part B. I have about 6 months left to decide if I want to pay the $96.40 for it to be my primary. Changing from $400 for BC/BS to $300 for NALC will help me decide. So ??? - no easy answer - just this week I reached my out of the pocket deductible. So even with my co-pays and the deductible - $1200 for Medicare is not worth it.