Any Feds have GEHA for health insurance?

[Anonymous]

I am thinking about changing over to GEHA for next year. And wondering if anyone has them now? Do you like them? Are you keeping them? Any pitfalls? Thanks.

[Anonymous]

I've had it for several years now and have been very happy with it. I'm not sure why it is not more popular. I haven't had any trouble finding providers who take it. My entire pregnancy was completely covered, as are well child visits, shots, etc.

[Anonymous]

I have had GEHA for the past 2 years and am really happy with the service. There are a lot of doctors in network and I find that most stuff is covered well. I also think their costumer service is good and when my son had surgery earlier this year I was able to get the code (CPT) from the hospital and then I called GEHA and they told me exactly how much they would cover before the surgery (off course we had to factor in unexpected procedures). I also have their dental and am ablo really happy with that.

[Anonymous]

I have GEHA and also have been happy with it. I think the deductible for lab work is 30% unless you ask that your labs get processed by Quest. (They call this their LabCard program.) The 30% deductible adds up fast if I forget, so I usually remember to remind my doctors to use Quest. It hasn't been a problem when I remember to ask. As PP mentioned, prenatal expenses are covered entirely.

[Anonymous]

I am wondering about this too. I am especially interested in the GEHA standard option. I currently have BCBS standard (which is the BCBS high option) and was looking at GEHA standard (their low option) and the benefits seem similar, but for a family plan the premiums are $100 less a pay period! (=$2600 less for the year!!!). And unlike BCBS's low option, GEHA's low option lets you go out of network (for reduced benefits, of course). Am I missing something? Is there some big drawback to GEHA standard that I am just not seeing? Help!

[Anonymous]

I'm with 19:58.. I have BCBS Standard and the prices are getting crazy. I've heard good things about BCBS basic but the non-provider piece worries me too. 2 years ago my husband had unexpected surgery that was pretty major. Bills were high but I'm sure would have been worse with basic. Even a 5 day hospital visit costs $750 plus all the other stuff.

[Anonymous]

19:58 here. I spent the evening going through the brochures and found what I was missing earlier. GEHA standard covers hospital bills at 15%; BCBS high you just have a per admission charge of $200. Huge difference. 15% of a hospital bill can add up quickly! I think I'm going to stick with BCBS standard, despite the crazy premiums.

[Anonymous]

I, too, am considering switching from BCBS standard (high) option. The GEHA high option, though, had the same premium if I remember correctly. I will take another look at the GEHA basic to gauge whether that coverage would suffice. I'd rather have more coverage just in case, but agree that the BCBS premium increases combined with higher co-pays (e.g., $20 adult office and sick child visits).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I've had it for several years now and have been very happy with it. I'm not sure why it is not more popular. I haven't had any trouble finding providers who take it. My entire pregnancy was completely covered, as are well child visits, shots, etc.

PP did you have to pay anything for the delivery (assuming you delivered in a hospital)? I thought that you had to pay 15% of the room and board costs? If you did pay that, how much was it?

Sorry about all the questions but I am trying to pick the best plan for us.

[Anonymous]

GEHA sucks. Customer service is really bad and instead of passing you along to someone who might understand your question they just laugh and say "no".
Ex: Do you cover lactation consultant services?
Lactation? What is that.
Breastfeeding con...
Ha ha ha. No. = wrong

Correct answer if billed with hospital bill, of course. I have had more problems with GEHA in one year than in the 10 years I had BC/BS.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I've had it for several years now and have been very happy with it. I'm not sure why it is not more popular. I haven't had any trouble finding providers who take it. My entire pregnancy was completely covered, as are well child visits, shots, etc.

PP did you have to pay anything for the delivery (assuming you delivered in a hospital)? I thought that you had to pay 15% of the room and board costs? If you did pay that, how much was it?

Sorry about all the questions but I am trying to pick the best plan for us.

Not the PP but I have had GEHA for two deliveries, and never paid any room and board costs. Honestly don't think I paid anything? except a copay for the first OB visit. no complaints, though I have not had to deal with their customer service so I can't speak to that.

[Anonymous]

A decision must be made Monday have anyone decided if it's best to stay or switch from BCBS to GEHA

[Anonymous]

We have MDIPA and we have considered switching, even though we have been happy with MDIPA. But the cost is going up by $80.00/month this year!!!! Can anyone recommend a comparable, but cheaper plan?

[Anonymous]

I'm thinking of switching from GEHA to BCBS. I felt like I have written a lot of checks this fall to medical providers for very little care.

[Anonymous]

I have been happy with GEHA but have secondary insurance that covers my copays. They are certainly much easier to deal with than tricare, but that is a very low standard.