Fed Health and dental Insurance Enrollment for 2017

[darthronin]

I am a new federal employee and my wife and I live in MD and are planning to have a baby. My wife will need some dental work done like wisdom teeth pulls. Any advice will be appreciated.

Thanks

[Anonymous]

Are you asking which policy to get?

[darthronin]

yes what insurance to get for pregnancy and dental work such as wisdom teeth extraction.

[Anonymous]

Ask HR.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Ask HR.

Clearly not a fed.

[Anonymous]

I would get either blue cross standard or blue cross basic, and then fedvip for dental.

blue cross standard is a pretty traditional blue cross plan-- big network but can go out of network if you want, there's a deductible for most things and you might owe a % of fees after deductible, not a flat fee.

blue cross basic is much more limited if you ever go out of network, but the good thing is that the network is still pretty big and it's a lot cheaper. some things like prescription meds and PT are a little more expensive under basic but not enough to offset the cheaper premium.

I haven't compared childbirth costs under either-- I thought maybe those were more standardized since ACA but I could be wrong. You could maybe ask on the expecting parents forum?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would get either blue cross standard or blue cross basic, and then fedvip for dental.

blue cross standard is a pretty traditional blue cross plan-- big network but can go out of network if you want, there's a deductible for most things and you might owe a % of fees after deductible, not a flat fee.

blue cross basic is much more limited if you ever go out of network, but the good thing is that the network is still pretty big and it's a lot cheaper. some things like prescription meds and PT are a little more expensive under basic but not enough to offset the cheaper premium.

I haven't compared childbirth costs under either-- I thought maybe those were more standardized since ACA but I could be wrong. You could maybe ask on the expecting parents forum?

I live in Arlington and have been on Blue Cross Nasic since I was 25--now almost 47.

We have never had a problem with anyone out of network--even top specialists --allergist, endocrinologists, orthopedist.

I had two kids and everything was covered during the pregnancy and delivery. I had normal delivery (not c section). I only paid $100 total for the entire thing (prenatal visits. Ultrasounds all covered).

I don't have dental insurance--the blue cross covers dental cleanings for everyone in the family.

I paid out of pocket $1500 for my older child's palate expander/retainer. It doesn't look like either kid will need braces. I need two crowns--I'm finding that if dental work is limited it's almost more cost effective to use FSA health and put aside tax free $ vs buying dental insurance which is generally pretty worthless for what it covers.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would get either blue cross standard or blue cross basic, and then fedvip for dental.

blue cross standard is a pretty traditional blue cross plan-- big network but can go out of network if you want, there's a deductible for most things and you might owe a % of fees after deductible, not a flat fee.

blue cross basic is much more limited if you ever go out of network, but the good thing is that the network is still pretty big and it's a lot cheaper. some things like prescription meds and PT are a little more expensive under basic but not enough to offset the cheaper premium.

I haven't compared childbirth costs under either-- I thought maybe those were more standardized since ACA but I could be wrong. You could maybe ask on the expecting parents forum?

I live in Arlington and have been on Blue Cross Nasic since I was 25--now almost 47.

We have never had a problem with anyone out of network--even top specialists --allergist, endocrinologists, orthopedist.

I had two kids and everything was covered during the pregnancy and delivery. I had normal delivery (not c section). I only paid $100 total for the entire thing (prenatal visits. Ultrasounds all covered).

I don't have dental insurance--the blue cross covers dental cleanings for everyone in the family.

I paid out of pocket $1500 for my older child's palate expander/retainer. It doesn't look like either kid will need braces. I need two crowns--I'm finding that if dental work is limited it's almost more cost effective to use FSA health and put aside tax free $ vs buying dental insurance which is generally pretty worthless for what it covers.

Birth control is free and I pay $10 per prescription under basic. Not sure why it is costly for others--epipen just filled for kid getting allergy shots was $0. They used a rebate card inline

[Anonymous]

^^ I like the simplicity of not having to file claims or worry about spending/deductible with Basic

[Anonymous]

GEHA for health.

[Anonymous]

We loved Kaiser. I just gave birth with them and absolutely everything was covered. I paid just $250 for my entire delivery and all my prenatal.

I love metlife for dental.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We loved Kaiser. I just gave birth with them and absolutely everything was covered. I paid just $250 for my entire delivery and all my prenatal.

I love metlife for dental.

If you want to die.

We (and everyone we know) has a horror story from Kaiser docs and insurance.

Sub-par. Missed glaring symptoms and too into keeping costs down vs legitimate care.

[Anonymous]

I don't think blue cross basic (at least in its current form) existed 22 years ago?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would get either blue cross standard or blue cross basic, and then fedvip for dental.

blue cross standard is a pretty traditional blue cross plan-- big network but can go out of network if you want, there's a deductible for most things and you might owe a % of fees after deductible, not a flat fee.

blue cross basic is much more limited if you ever go out of network, but the good thing is that the network is still pretty big and it's a lot cheaper. some things like prescription meds and PT are a little more expensive under basic but not enough to offset the cheaper premium.

I haven't compared childbirth costs under either-- I thought maybe those were more standardized since ACA but I could be wrong. You could maybe ask on the expecting parents forum?

I live in Arlington and have been on Blue Cross Nasic since I was 25--now almost 47.

We have never had a problem with anyone out of network--even top specialists --allergist, endocrinologists, orthopedist.

I had two kids and everything was covered during the pregnancy and delivery. I had normal delivery (not c section). I only paid $100 total for the entire thing (prenatal visits. Ultrasounds all covered).

I don't have dental insurance--the blue cross covers dental cleanings for everyone in the family.

I paid out of pocket $1500 for my older child's palate expander/retainer. It doesn't look like either kid will need braces. I need two crowns--I'm finding that if dental work is limited it's almost more cost effective to use FSA health and put aside tax free $ vs buying dental insurance which is generally pretty worthless for what it covers.

My experience is different from this poster's. First I don't think blue cross basic existed 22 years ago (or if it did it was a lot different). Second, the coverage for dental cleanings is so low you will almost certainly find it doesn't cover your dentist's charges. I find dental insurance has been worth it in years when we've had big expenses like crowns but not most of the time. Certainly using an FSA might make sense but if you know you have extractions coming up it might be worthwhile.

[Anonymous]

Does anynody have any thoughts on the Aetna HMO Open Access Basic plan? It is most comparable to the BCBS Basic which we have had, and been happy with, the last year. But the copays and charges for things like inpatient surgery and doc fees in a hospital seem lower with Aetna - which makes a difference if you have a lot of health needs. But I don't know anyone to with experience with Aetna good or bad.