Rates for FEHB 2025 are out

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The premium increase in BCBS Basic is enough for me to consider switching to GEHA HDHP with an HSA. Interested in experiences from people who have gone that route. We are generally healthy and could cover the deductible in a rough year, but hope that we could take a few years to build up the HSA balance and not worry about it.

I’ve always had the HDHP and have always saved 100% of the HSA. Family of 4. Had surgeries and all the run of the mill crap that comes with middle age and kids. Sitting with nearly 100k in that triple tax advantaged plan.

[Anonymous]

I switched from BCBS Basic to GEHA HDP a couple years ago and there are pros and cons. There are a LOT more paperwork holy moly. It is annoying not knowing how much you will have to pay upfront, and though preventative care is technically covered, I always still end up paying for something for each checkup (like paying extra for labwork that i swear used to be all covered under BCBS). And anything that isn't covered as preventative will cost you an arm and leg. Yes, I know mathematically it still comes out ahead compared with BCBS but i do that that it deters from going to the doctor because of that marginal out of pocket cost.

It is mathematically a better deal than BCBS regardless of whether you hit that deductible. And it is super nice to have a HSA account vs that annoying FSA. I love not having to worry about oversaving or wasting funds. I had a health issue a few years ago when I had BCBS and they flat out refused to cover some treatment and from that point on, it feels super nice to know that I have a fat health fund set aside just in case.

[Anonymous]

we switched to my spouse‘s plan. More coverage for only$200/mo. his company heavily subsidizes. If you have a working spouse just run the numbers and the benefits side by side.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I switched from BCBS Basic to GEHA HDP a couple years ago and there are pros and cons. There are a LOT more paperwork holy moly. It is annoying not knowing how much you will have to pay upfront, and though preventative care is technically covered, I always still end up paying for something for each checkup (like paying extra for labwork that i swear used to be all covered under BCBS). And anything that isn't covered as preventative will cost you an arm and leg. Yes, I know mathematically it still comes out ahead compared with BCBS but i do that that it deters from going to the doctor because of that marginal out of pocket cost.

It is mathematically a better deal than BCBS regardless of whether you hit that deductible. And it is super nice to have a HSA account vs that annoying FSA. I love not having to worry about oversaving or wasting funds. I had a health issue a few years ago when I had BCBS and they flat out refused to cover some treatment and from that point on, it feels super nice to know that I have a fat health fund set aside just in case.

Have you been able to keep your same providers? I just looked at the websites for my kids’ pediatrician, my dermatologist, and my psychiatrist. None of them list GEHA. It seems like the benefit of BCBS is that it is accepted everywhere.

Also, I have a kid with some SNs (ADHD/mild Autism) and we go through a lot of various testing and therapies. BCBS completely covered (aside from a $35 copay) a 5k neuropsych evaluation at Children’s and we’re due to undergo another in a year or two.

I’m intrigued by GEHA but am somewhat risk averse as far as big unexpected expenses and also already am overwhelmed enough with life that more paperwork sounds daunting, especially with a SNs kid. Also we are a family of 5 which just seems to increase the odds of somebody needing some sort of major medical treatment in any given year. If I was a single healthy 27 year old this would be such an easy decision!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I switched from BCBS Basic to GEHA HDP a couple years ago and there are pros and cons. There are a LOT more paperwork holy moly. It is annoying not knowing how much you will have to pay upfront, and though preventative care is technically covered, I always still end up paying for something for each checkup (like paying extra for labwork that i swear used to be all covered under BCBS). And anything that isn't covered as preventative will cost you an arm and leg. Yes, I know mathematically it still comes out ahead compared with BCBS but i do that that it deters from going to the doctor because of that marginal out of pocket cost.

It is mathematically a better deal than BCBS regardless of whether you hit that deductible. And it is super nice to have a HSA account vs that annoying FSA. I love not having to worry about oversaving or wasting funds. I had a health issue a few years ago when I had BCBS and they flat out refused to cover some treatment and from that point on, it feels super nice to know that I have a fat health fund set aside just in case.

Have you been able to keep your same providers? I just looked at the websites for my kids’ pediatrician, my dermatologist, and my psychiatrist. None of them list GEHA. It seems like the benefit of BCBS is that it is accepted everywhere.

Also, I have a kid with some SNs (ADHD/mild Autism) and we go through a lot of various testing and therapies. BCBS completely covered (aside from a $35 copay) a 5k neuropsych evaluation at Children’s and we’re due to undergo another in a year or two.

I’m intrigued by GEHA but am somewhat risk averse as far as big unexpected expenses and also already am overwhelmed enough with life that more paperwork sounds daunting, especially with a SNs kid. Also we are a family of 5 which just seems to increase the odds of somebody needing some sort of major medical treatment in any given year. If I was a single healthy 27 year old this would be such an easy decision!

I don't feel I've had any extra paperwork with the GEHA HDHP. Not sure what PP's experience has been that made them say this, but completely not my experience.

GEHA subcontracts out with major insurance providers; for me it's been Aetna and now UnitedHealthcare. In my experience, if your medical provider takes any of those plans, they've been covered by GEHA too. I would call to confirm though.

The flip side of your child's needs is that it could take you to your deductible pretty fast. If you're able to cash flow those expenses, then HDHP can be a good deal because it opens up the door to the HSA for you.

[Anonymous]

It's definitely worth it to switch to a HDHP. It's cheaper if you barely use it, and it's cheaper if you hit the OOP max. And you get to do an HSA. So many folks are sleeping on HDHPs.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I switched from BCBS Basic to GEHA HDP a couple years ago and there are pros and cons. There are a LOT more paperwork holy moly. It is annoying not knowing how much you will have to pay upfront, and though preventative care is technically covered, I always still end up paying for something for each checkup (like paying extra for labwork that i swear used to be all covered under BCBS). And anything that isn't covered as preventative will cost you an arm and leg. Yes, I know mathematically it still comes out ahead compared with BCBS but i do that that it deters from going to the doctor because of that marginal out of pocket cost.

It is mathematically a better deal than BCBS regardless of whether you hit that deductible. And it is super nice to have a HSA account vs that annoying FSA. I love not having to worry about oversaving or wasting funds. I had a health issue a few years ago when I had BCBS and they flat out refused to cover some treatment and from that point on, it feels super nice to know that I have a fat health fund set aside just in case.

Have you been able to keep your same providers? I just looked at the websites for my kids’ pediatrician, my dermatologist, and my psychiatrist. None of them list GEHA. It seems like the benefit of BCBS is that it is accepted everywhere.

Also, I have a kid with some SNs (ADHD/mild Autism) and we go through a lot of various testing and therapies. BCBS completely covered (aside from a $35 copay) a 5k neuropsych evaluation at Children’s and we’re due to undergo another in a year or two.

I’m intrigued by GEHA but am somewhat risk averse as far as big unexpected expenses and also already am overwhelmed enough with life that more paperwork sounds daunting, especially with a SNs kid. Also we are a family of 5 which just seems to increase the odds of somebody needing some sort of major medical treatment in any given year. If I was a single healthy 27 year old this would be such an easy decision!

I don't have GEHA but am GEHA-curious. One of the big advantages I see is that there's an option for out-of-network coverage. Yes it costs more but with BCBS basic there's zero option at all.

[Anonymous]

I heard something that GEHA was bought out and fired a lot of their inhouse people? Can anyone confirm if this is true. I have had GEHA HDHP and been happy, but am wondering if future experience will be different, and if we should look at other HDHP plans.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I heard something that GEHA was bought out and fired a lot of their inhouse people? Can anyone confirm if this is true. I have had GEHA HDHP and been happy, but am wondering if future experience will be different, and if we should look at other HDHP plans.

I haven't heard this.

[Anonymous]

This list seems very short. When is search my location for 2024 there are 40 insurance coverage options listed. This excel file only has 20 options. Are Aetna and United no longer an option for FEHB in 2025?

[Anonymous]

https://www.reddit.com/r/kansascity/comments/1bgmy8j/geha_continues_to_die/

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I switched from BCBS Basic to GEHA HDP a couple years ago and there are pros and cons. There are a LOT more paperwork holy moly. It is annoying not knowing how much you will have to pay upfront, and though preventative care is technically covered, I always still end up paying for something for each checkup (like paying extra for labwork that i swear used to be all covered under BCBS). And anything that isn't covered as preventative will cost you an arm and leg. Yes, I know mathematically it still comes out ahead compared with BCBS but i do that that it deters from going to the doctor because of that marginal out of pocket cost.

It is mathematically a better deal than BCBS regardless of whether you hit that deductible. And it is super nice to have a HSA account vs that annoying FSA. I love not having to worry about oversaving or wasting funds. I had a health issue a few years ago when I had BCBS and they flat out refused to cover some treatment and from that point on, it feels super nice to know that I have a fat health fund set aside just in case.

Have you been able to keep your same providers? I just looked at the websites for my kids’ pediatrician, my dermatologist, and my psychiatrist. None of them list GEHA. It seems like the benefit of BCBS is that it is accepted everywhere.

Also, I have a kid with some SNs (ADHD/mild Autism) and we go through a lot of various testing and therapies. BCBS completely covered (aside from a $35 copay) a 5k neuropsych evaluation at Children’s and we’re due to undergo another in a year or two.

I’m intrigued by GEHA but am somewhat risk averse as far as big unexpected expenses and also already am overwhelmed enough with life that more paperwork sounds daunting, especially with a SNs kid. Also we are a family of 5 which just seems to increase the odds of somebody needing some sort of major medical treatment in any given year. If I was a single healthy 27 year old this would be such an easy decision!

You should be able to keep your providers. I did. In the DC area, GEHA uses the United Healthcare network, so you have to look for that when researching which insurance plans doctors accept. I haven't come across anyone not taking united health.

There is definitely more paperwork. With BCBS,I often paid my copay upfront and never saw anything from the doctor's office. With GEHA, you never pay upfront. GEHA sends you an EOB and then doc office sends you a bill and you have to make sure the two match up.

With your situation, you might reach the deductible quickly, which is actually great. I reached deductible last year and everything else was so discounted. I would be paying $2-3 for a doc visit compared with $30-40 copay with BCBS. You should try to crunch some numbers with your family needs in mind and see.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:When you start mandating that the plans cover IVF, sex-change operations, and expensive obesity drugs, costs have to go up substantially:

https://federalnewsnetwork.com/benefits/2024/09/fehb-enrollees-will-see-more-choices-for-comprehensive-ivf-coverage-in-2025/?readmore=1

This. Seriously, this.

[Anonymous]

Curious why everyone is promoting GEHA's HSA instead of BCBS' HSA option?

what are the clear advantages? I would think it easier to stay with BCBS assuming your current providers participate in both BCBS PPO and HSA plans. But admittedly I haven't lined up the provider lists to compare.

[Anonymous]

My UHC payment is going up $148/month.