Blue Cross Std versus Basic

For a retiree with Medicare as primary,  the only differences differences in benefite between the Blue Cross Standard and Basic Plans appear to be in the prescriptions area. the Standard Plan has a Mail Order option and the Basic Plan does not, thereby making the cost of prescriptions more expensive. If you do not have to use proprietary pharmaceuticals then the Basic Plan is the clear choice, No?

tony

I'm not retired - can go, but not yet. Have BCBS BASIC (family) for 2 years. There are plans with better drug coverage, because of mail order (STD and also NALC which has been talked about alot on this site - is a good plan, so look at it). My family doesn't have alot of medication needs at this time (why yearly open season is a Godsend), so it pays me to save the $2000 premium difference and $600 family deductable of STD. mmthomas is right. Preferred providers are a big issue. I live in an area with a large perferred provider pool. If you don't, you may not be comfortable with Basic. If you don't use PPO..you pay it all!!!!   Many people look at bits and pieces of a plan, that are better, and pick based on that. But I'm older now and things happen. Family had Emerg Rm visit, 3 outpatient surguries and 2 day hospital stay in 09. What I would have saved with STD drug plan (and other plans) would have been eaten up 3X, by the outpatient co-pay (15% for STD, equal or higher for other plans). I'm the type person who wants to know, up front, what co-pay is. I may not like it, because high, but want to know going in. For alot of plans you pay 15/20% of 'plan allowance'for outpatient and some inpatient items. That could be 15% of $1000 or $10,000. Comes down to predicting where you/family are in life - some plans will be worse in some areas, some better. Hopefully where you fall, will be better.