Rates for FEHB 2025 are out

[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.

[Anonymous]

Last year I switched to the MHBP Standard plan from 15 years with BCBS and I've been pleasantly surprised. I am not well- versed in these things so what matters to me was coverage and ease of use. Our doctors were covered (it's Aetna) and you can set up to pull copays automatically from your FSA, which is crucial for me. The only surprise was that you need to pay $50 to join the mail handlers union but I'm still far ahead of where I'd be given the premium difference. Worth a look! It was one of the ones that Consumer Checkbook recommended for my situation (2 kids, low needs) and I'm keeping it for next year.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My UHC payment is going up $148/month.

Where did you find UHC? I did not see it on any of the files for 2025.