Random, but as a Fed what is your preferred health care plan? It’s open season.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Help me understand the appeal of BCBS standard. It seems worse to me than basic? Pay way more in premiums to get a deductible too and also relatively high (and therefore unpredictable) coinsurance. Why?

Apparently some folks on here just like to throw away money.

[Anonymous]

Anyone used Compass Rose? We’ve been with GEHA standard for 15 years but they seem to have increased company’s and percentages for this year along with increasing premiums. We need to stay under the United Umbrella as our pediatrician only takes United.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:BCBS Basic. All of our doctors take it, and it seems to offer the best coverage in the event of a hospitalization or something else unexpected like that. Co-pays are high, but that's a known cost.

Is BCBS focus a good option?

If you don’t use the doctor often, it has pretty low co-pays, but limits the number of visits per year. If you end up going to hospital or getting surgery it’s 30% co-insurance, but of course capped with the out of pocket maximum.

We’ve had focus for years and really liked it. Low premiums and as long as you stay in network almost everything is covered.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Help me understand the appeal of BCBS standard. It seems worse to me than basic? Pay way more in premiums to get a deductible too and also relatively high (and therefore unpredictable) coinsurance. Why?

We switched to basic for one year and it was a huge headache. I can’t remember what the issue was, but I have IBD so take a biologic and see a doctor often, at least once or twice a month. It was a while ago, may have even been before ACA, so perhaps it’s better now.
Kaiser is awful my parents have it an they withhold modern medicine as long as possible to save costs.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Anyone used Compass Rose? We’ve been with GEHA standard for 15 years but they seem to have increased company’s and percentages for this year along with increasing premiums. We need to stay under the United Umbrella as our pediatrician only takes United.

Yes - family of 4, have had it for several years now. It works well for us - I think they've only flat out denied one thing ever. When I used the maternity benefits it was a $200 co-pay for me and $200 for the baby. It was a high risk pregnancy with longer than normal hospitalization and a NICU stay for baby. Still only paid $400 total.

Every doctor associated with Inova/the Inova system is in-network. Labs are zero cost if you go to Labcorp. Certain things like imaging, PT, and medical devices (orthopedic boot) are reimbursed on more of a percentage basis.

Out of network reimbursement is pretty easy.

My spouse and one child have chronic conditions and coverage has been good there.

I feel like customer service at UMR (their claims processor) isn't as good as it used to be, but it's not terrible. Some of those folks have really gone the extra mile to work through issues with me.

I compared plans this year with premiums going up, but we are not switching. We're pretty satisfied.

[Anonymous]

I was BCBS Standard for nearly my entire federal career. Switched to MHBP Standard that started January this year. Retired recently but sticking with MHBP for the foreseeable future.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Help me understand the appeal of BCBS standard. It seems worse to me than basic? Pay way more in premiums to get a deductible too and also relatively high (and therefore unpredictable) coinsurance. Why?

We switched to basic for one year and it was a huge headache. I can’t remember what the issue was, but I have IBD so take a biologic and see a doctor often, at least once or twice a month. It was a while ago, may have even been before ACA, so perhaps it’s better now.
Kaiser is awful my parents have it an they withhold modern medicine as long as possible to save costs.

I THINK when I looked at this last year, Standard did better with OON coverage. Haven’t looked this year. I have basic for me, but the rest of my family (eg kids with therapy bills) are on a different BCBS through my husband.

[Anonymous]

Any thoughts on which plan is best for a teen on semiglutides for pre-diabetes?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have BCBS standard but the monthly premiums for 2026 are nearly $1000 for the family plan.

That’s insane. I’m sorry, but you should really run the numbers.

I did over the shutdown and I am moving to MHBP standard. There are a few differences and a little more Out of pocket for OON doctors but we should save a few thousand dollars next year.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Help me understand the appeal of BCBS standard. It seems worse to me than basic? Pay way more in premiums to get a deductible too and also relatively high (and therefore unpredictable) coinsurance. Why?

We switched to basic for one year and it was a huge headache. I can’t remember what the issue was, but I have IBD so take a biologic and see a doctor often, at least once or twice a month. It was a while ago, may have even been before ACA, so perhaps it’s better now.
Kaiser is awful my parents have it an they withhold modern medicine as long as possible to save costs.

I THINK when I looked at this last year, Standard did better with OON coverage. Haven’t looked this year. I have basic for me, but the rest of my family (eg kids with therapy bills) are on a different BCBS through my husband.

Yes, the main advantage is that standard will cover out of network at least partially while basic does not cover anything out of network. However the cost difference only makes sense if you need a lot of OON providers.

[Anonymous]

we fled GEHA last year. they are horrendous. i work at an agency that allows enrollment under the Foreign Service Benefit Plan and it is FABULOUS.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Help me understand the appeal of BCBS standard. It seems worse to me than basic? Pay way more in premiums to get a deductible too and also relatively high (and therefore unpredictable) coinsurance. Why?

We switched to basic for one year and it was a huge headache. I can’t remember what the issue was, but I have IBD so take a biologic and see a doctor often, at least once or twice a month. It was a while ago, may have even been before ACA, so perhaps it’s better now.
Kaiser is awful my parents have it an they withhold modern medicine as long as possible to save costs.

I THINK when I looked at this last year, Standard did better with OON coverage. Haven’t looked this year. I have basic for me, but the rest of my family (eg kids with therapy bills) are on a different BCBS through my husband.

Yes, the main advantage is that standard will cover out of network at least partially while basic does not cover anything out of network. However the cost difference only makes sense if you need a lot of OON providers.

DP. We have BCBS standard and it covers about 30 percent of stuff like speech therapy which is out of network for everyone, at least if you want to pick your provider based on any factor other than than insurance. (Which we do given long commutes etc.) Medicine-wise, knock on wood but i have never encountered a doctor, urgent care, or hospital in this area that doesn’t take it. We’ve had a few health issues needing specialists and have had to pay co-pays only. It’s been a while but pregnancy and birth for 2 kids, we paid almost nothing. Zero hospital bill from the births. Zero cost for treatment for miscarriages. Etc.

It’s more money but so far has been really good for us. I’ve had it 15 years.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I was BCBS Standard for nearly my entire federal career. Switched to MHBP Standard that started January this year. Retired recently but sticking with MHBP for the foreseeable future.

DP. I’m switching to MHBP Standard. If you’ve had any experience with their OON claims process, could you please share feedback?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Anyone used Compass Rose? We’ve been with GEHA standard for 15 years but they seem to have increased company’s and percentages for this year along with increasing premiums. We need to stay under the United Umbrella as our pediatrician only takes United.

Yes - family of 4, have had it for several years now. It works well for us - I think they've only flat out denied one thing ever. When I used the maternity benefits it was a $200 co-pay for me and $200 for the baby. It was a high risk pregnancy with longer than normal hospitalization and a NICU stay for baby. Still only paid $400 total.

Every doctor associated with Inova/the Inova system is in-network. Labs are zero cost if you go to Labcorp. Certain things like imaging, PT, and medical devices (orthopedic boot) are reimbursed on more of a percentage basis.

Out of network reimbursement is pretty easy.

My spouse and one child have chronic conditions and coverage has been good there.

I feel like customer service at UMR (their claims processor) isn't as good as it used to be, but it's not terrible. Some of those folks have really gone the extra mile to work through issues with me.

I compared plans this year with premiums going up, but we are not switching. We're pretty satisfied.

Thank you, that’s really helpful.

[Anonymous]

I'm switching my family to MHBP. I currently have BCBS basic.