Blue Cross Blue Shield Federal Health Insurance - Trying to decide which option

[Anonymous]

We currently have BCBS Federal Standard Option (the one with the deductible and you can go out of network). My husband and I have one child and another one on the way. We are spending a lot on premiums for the Standard plan even though all our dr’s are in network. After the baby is born and we know he is healthy and doesn’t need specialists or extensive hospitalization, we are considering changing to the BCBS Basic Option. One obvious concern is any unplanned hospitalization any of us may have in the future and getting bills from dr’s or medical associates that are not BCBS. However, even with Standard we still have gotten plenty of bills from ER visits, lab tests, bloodwork, etc. Another concern is if we are traveling and need to see a Dr…are there a good amount of BCBS Federal Docs nationwide. I feel like there would be since BCBS is huge.

The no deductible and lower premiums are very appealing financially…however, the 30% co-insurance if any billable supplies were used during procedures is questionable since we have no idea what those costs are. Could be a lot of surprises.

Has anyone switched from the Standard to Basic and happy you changed? Or, anyone with the Basic plan happy with it? Or, anyone with Standard that thought about changing to Basic but then stayed with Standard?

[Anonymous]

I still don't understand the 30% on "supplies" and what it applies to. I had a 3-week hospitalization earlier this year while covered by BCBS FEP Basic, including ICU time and two surgeries, a ton of labs, meds, and blood, and have seen no evidence of any such charges (and the hospital bill is already fully resolved). So far the only place I'm getting screwed is that the surgeon was out of network - every other person (there were many) I interacted with was in network. My surgeon is confident we can get this covered under the emergency exception, but we will see... Other than this surgeon, everything else was covered 100% and I paid only my hospital copay.

[Anonymous]

Love Basic. And, I have medical issues that require out of state specialists. All have been in network, as have been all major hospitals out of state as well. If you are ever in the ER, just make sure you request to see an in network doc , if possible.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I still don't understand the 30% on "supplies" and what it applies to. I had a 3-week hospitalization earlier this year while covered by BCBS FEP Basic, including ICU time and two surgeries, a ton of labs, meds, and blood, and have seen no evidence of any such charges (and the hospital bill is already fully resolved). So far the only place I'm getting screwed is that the surgeon was out of network - every other person (there were many) I interacted with was in network. My surgeon is confident we can get this covered under the emergency exception, but we will see... Other than this surgeon, everything else was covered 100% and I paid only my hospital copay.

OP Here, yeah, I don't get the 30% supplies either. Seems like those bills could add up though especially if you don't know what they are using and how much they cost.

[Anonymous]

We are having the same concerns. Which hospitals in dc are in network?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We are having the same concerns. Which hospitals in dc are in network?

Have you tried looking on the FEP Blue Site to look for Dr's? I believe it is a huge network so you shouldn't have an issue finding a Dr. I am in Arlington/Alexandria and have yet to find a Dr that is not in our network that we have gone to...hence the reason for wanting to switch to the Basic.