High deductible plans for Feds

[Anonymous]

I have been on the GEHA HDHP for a few years and have mostly liked it. However, it seems more and more practices are no longer accepting United Healthcare. Any suggestions for alternative HDPs? I have heard good things about the MHBP, but does anyone have experience with both and can compare? Is the Aetna network pretty strong in the DC area?

[Anonymous]

Get a subscription to Washington checkbook. They have a good comparison of federal health plans.

[Anonymous]

Long time Aetna HDHP member in the DC area. I can't think of a single time I've had a problem finding a provider using Aetna.

I briefly looked to switch to GEHA recently because on paper it looks better with the lower co-insurance % (or maybe lower total deductible?) and higher HSA contributions. However, I got a little spooked with the way United appears to getting phased out from some practices. I'm not sure if this is reality or not, but didn't feel inclined to switch to save a bit of money.

You are probably already cognizant of this, but especially with an HSA I would double check specific coverages that are important to you and see what kind of coverage you receive. Our family has no specific recurring issues and I've been very happy with Aetna, but I don't have any life experience to compare it to another provider.

If you have specific Aetna HDHP questions please feel free and I can try and respond to the best of my knowledge.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Long time Aetna HDHP member in the DC area. I can't think of a single time I've had a problem finding a provider using Aetna.

I briefly looked to switch to GEHA recently because on paper it looks better with the lower co-insurance % (or maybe lower total deductible?) and higher HSA contributions. However, I got a little spooked with the way United appears to getting phased out from some practices. I'm not sure if this is reality or not, but didn't feel inclined to switch to save a bit of money.

You are probably already cognizant of this, but especially with an HSA I would double check specific coverages that are important to you and see what kind of coverage you receive. Our family has no specific recurring issues and I've been very happy with Aetna, but I don't have any life experience to compare it to another provider.

If you have specific Aetna HDHP questions please feel free and I can try and respond to the best of my knowledge.

Thanks. I am looking at the MHBP consumer plan (high deductible). They are on the Aetna network. Not sure if this is the same plan as yours but good to hear you've had no issues with Aetna.

[Anonymous]

In this area, everyone takes Blue Cross FEP. It’s pretty easy to deal with.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:In this area, everyone takes Blue Cross FEP. It’s pretty easy to deal with.

We do this but it’s crazy how much the copays have gone up.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Long time Aetna HDHP member in the DC area. I can't think of a single time I've had a problem finding a provider using Aetna.

I briefly looked to switch to GEHA recently because on paper it looks better with the lower co-insurance % (or maybe lower total deductible?) and higher HSA contributions. However, I got a little spooked with the way United appears to getting phased out from some practices. I'm not sure if this is reality or not, but didn't feel inclined to switch to save a bit of money.

You are probably already cognizant of this, but especially with an HSA I would double check specific coverages that are important to you and see what kind of coverage you receive. Our family has no specific recurring issues and I've been very happy with Aetna, but I don't have any life experience to compare it to another provider.

If you have specific Aetna HDHP questions please feel free and I can try and respond to the best of my knowledge.

Thanks. I am looking at the MHBP consumer plan (high deductible). They are on the Aetna network. Not sure if this is the same plan as yours but good to hear you've had no issues with Aetna.

Based on my quick review of the MHBP plan details, looks like a pretty solid plan (better than mine) unless I'm missing something. But I've never compared the various postal options. Best of luck!

You probably already know this, but if you max out the HSA and invest it it can grow wildly over time and there are tons of HSA eligible items that go outside of insurance.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Long time Aetna HDHP member in the DC area. I can't think of a single time I've had a problem finding a provider using Aetna.

I briefly looked to switch to GEHA recently because on paper it looks better with the lower co-insurance % (or maybe lower total deductible?) and higher HSA contributions. However, I got a little spooked with the way United appears to getting phased out from some practices. I'm not sure if this is reality or not, but didn't feel inclined to switch to save a bit of money.

You are probably already cognizant of this, but especially with an HSA I would double check specific coverages that are important to you and see what kind of coverage you receive. Our family has no specific recurring issues and I've been very happy with Aetna, but I don't have any life experience to compare it to another provider.

If you have specific Aetna HDHP questions please feel free and I can try and respond to the best of my knowledge.

Thanks. I am looking at the MHBP consumer plan (high deductible). They are on the Aetna network. Not sure if this is the same plan as yours but good to hear you've had no issues with Aetna.

Based on my quick review of the MHBP plan details, looks like a pretty solid plan (better than mine) unless I'm missing something. But I've never compared the various postal options. Best of luck!

You probably already know this, but if you max out the HSA and invest it it can grow wildly over time and there are tons of HSA eligible items that go outside of insurance.

Yes this is exactly why I want a HDP. I liked blue cross basic when I was on it but won't ever go back because I hate the FSA. I wish GEHA could get its act together and drop united healthcare network.

[Anonymous]

BCBS has a HDHP option. It's not listed under the national plans because each state has its own code. It uses the BCBS/Carefirst network and everyone takes it. We switched last year from Carefirst Basic and estimate we saved about $5K for a family of 4 with heavy usage (urgent care, physical therapy, lots of sick-child visits) but no significant medications or chronic conditions.

[Anonymous]

Who is not taking United. Most places still take except for JHU.