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 Newbie Joined: 25 Mar 2007 Posts: 12	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: 125	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 Groupie Joined: 25 Jun 2008 Posts: 108	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: Yesterday 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: Yesterday Location: Washington, DC Posts: 4	Post Options Post Reply Quote peacefulgains Report Post Quote Reply Posted: Yesterday 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 - Yesterday at 1:39pm