Which of these health plans is the better deal?
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Anonymous
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Hello! Which of these employer-based plans do you think is best? Basically choosing between lower deductible vs lower out of pocket max + “free” office visits. More info -
Family of 4 with 2 young kids, no health issues. DH and I are in our early 40s. We have been on my husband’s plan for a few years and it’s been fine. I went back to work full time and we now have the option of my plan too. Trying to decide during open enrollment. Both cost about the same - $800/month. This year DH and I met our deductibles but our kids didn’t and we didn’t meet the family deductible. Deductible and Out of Pocket listed is in-network since that’s all we use. The only years we met our out of pocket max were the years I had a baby. But of course you never know when a major health event could happen. DH’s Plan - Health Partners (we are in MN) - Deductible $1K single/$3K family - Out of Pocket Max $4250 single/$8500 family - Includes 6 “free” office or urgent care visits per person; after that it’s 25% coinsurance. I’m not sure how much $ the 6 free appointments saved us this year - sorry to be missing that data point. My Plan - Blue Cross - Deductible $500/$1K - Out of Pocket Max $9K/$18K - 20% coinsurance Thanks for your thoughts! |
Anonymous
| Better to ask AI. Ask Grock. |
Anonymous
OP here, I hadn’t thought of this! I asked Chat GPT and it said my DH’s plan is the better bet. |
Anonymous
| Can you also ask your HR? |
Anonymous
| This really isn't enough information for us to help. Is the 20% co-insurance on everything for BCBS or do you get some preventive visits for no or a lessor cost? 20% co-insurance can add up fast. Does either company give money if the employee doesn't use the insurance? Used to be more common. I've seen more employers recently that charge extra if a spouse could be on their own employers plan. Do either offer any incentives like cash for physicals or recommended screenings? What about prescription coverage? If they re |
Anonymous
Grok response: "The first plan seems a bit...Semitic to me. Better to go with number 2" |
Anonymous
Grok is BS. It is 100% Musk biased an will likely tell you to self-pay using the PResident's healthcare dividend. |
Anonymous
| This is nowhere near enough information to make a decision. Do you have a copay for office visits or just the co-insurance? Blue Cross generally has a co-pay for office visits, not just the co-insurance. What kind of plans are they (PPO, HMO, etc.)? Do they cover any services before hitting the deductible, or not until you hit the deductible? |
Anonymous
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Probably better to have you and DH each with your employer plans and the kids on the one that works out with the most affordable premium.
Employee-only plans are usually good deals. There is no rule that says the entire family has to be a on a single plan. |
Anonymous
This is how we do it. I'm free on my work's plan so I'm on mine. It would be more than $1000/mo to add DH and DC to my plan so they are on his plan for less than half that per month. It works well for us this way. |
Anonymous
Employer and insurance companies are catching on this trend. My company is launching a spousal surcharge. This charge comes into play when employees’ spouses forgo their own company sponsored health plans in favor of enrolling as a dependent on my company’s plan. Companies don’t want to get saddled with covering a spouse with greater healthcare needs. |
Anonymous
Heard of Grok, but never tried it. Kinda interesting. |
Anonymous
| Your health insurance premiums through work are $800/month? That seems really high. |
Anonymous
| Ours are $1000/mo through a F500 co. Silver plan. |
Anonymous
Have you been living under a rock? |