Feds, the time is quickly approaching when you’ll have to choose a health insurance plan for next year. Fed Times would like to talk to you about what is most important to you in choosing a plan. Do you look for a plan with a low premium or a low deductible? Does coverage for a particular medical condition or physician or prescription influence your choice?
If you are willing to discuss your decision with us, please contact Markie Harwood. Thanks.
2 Comments
In choosing my FEHBP, I make a thorough cost/benefit analysis. All factors are weighed and considered in the following order: premium, catastrophic limits, hospital coverage, prescription coverage, co-insurance amounts, deductible amounts, choice of doctors, and lastly, the overall consumer satisfaction with the chosen health plan. In other words, I assume the worst case scenario, ie. catastrophe, in order to protect my assets. All of the plan carriers are good, but some are better than others. Their viability, ie. solvency, is most likely reflected by their premium. The higher the premium, the more financial problems they have and the likelihood is greater that you will have problems in getting them to pay claims. I am a retired letter carrier and seem to always narrow down my choice between BCBS Standard and NALC. IMO, NALC is superior because the coverage is essentially equal, but the premium is lower. BCBS may be the overall “gold standard,” but NALC beats ’em on lower premium and fantastic customer service. Having had BCBS in the past, they will question you about “additional coverage” B4 paying a claim, while NALC will assume your honesty and never hassle you. Give NALC a look.
I use OPM site & Wash Consumer’s checkbook, online version of their Health Plan guide.
–make sure main Docs participate & search a pricey Rh arthritis drug cost RG