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

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!

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.

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!

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!

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.

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.