Anonymous
Post 03/15/2023 12:48     Subject: Which Federal insurance plan?
We use CareFirst BCBS. No copays for PCP visits, $40 for specialists, in network mental health providers are covered at 100%. Three people in my house see therapists regularly and I haven’t paid a dime. And it was super easy to get a local guest membership covering my college kid in Boston.
Anonymous
Post 03/15/2023 10:47     Subject: Which Federal insurance plan?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:If you do need OON mental health, which plan is good?


We use GEHA HDHP with high OON mental health expenses. It works well for us.


I second GEHA. Great for out of network mental health but also for medical. Two years ago they paid the complete amount of my breast reduction and I used an out of network, well known surgeon in the area. (I had met my out of pocket expenses for the year). Their customer service is also very good. Highly recommend and during my husband's twenty year federal career, early on we tried nearly all. Not the cheapest, but for us has been great.
Anonymous
Post 03/08/2023 23:10     Subject: Which Federal insurance plan?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Bumping.

Also, BCBS Basic vs BCBS Standard? The OPM website isn’t especially illuminating on the significant differences.


BCBS Basic - unless you will need to use a particular psychologist, psychiatrist, or kids special needs provider who doesn't accept BCBS.


Thanks, PP. when I try to compare the plans, Basic is better on some things (ex. might be cheaper for prescriptions, ER visits, etc.) and Standard is better on some things (ex. 75 PT visits per year versus 50, cheaper hospital facility fee). This is maddening!
Anonymous
Post 03/08/2023 09:02     Subject: Which Federal insurance plan?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:If you do need OON mental health, which plan is good?


We use GEHA HDHP with high OON mental health expenses. It works well for us.


How much do you end out paying out in a year this way? We have weekly therapy bills with OON providers.
Anonymous
Post 03/07/2023 23:08     Subject: Which Federal insurance plan?
Anonymous wrote:Bumping.

Also, BCBS Basic vs BCBS Standard? The OPM website isn’t especially illuminating on the significant differences.


BCBS Basic - unless you will need to use a particular psychologist, psychiatrist, or kids special needs provider who doesn't accept BCBS.
Anonymous
Post 03/07/2023 22:51     Subject: Which Federal insurance plan?
Anonymous wrote:Just a PSA, reminder that none of them cover terminations of pregnancy even in cases of fetal diagnoses incompatible with life. Having just faced a $10,000 out of pocket expense for a second trimester termination in a hospital setting I am angry and appalled to have been impacted by this complete lack of medical coverage and aware of how privileged we were to be able to afford this expense. Note, had we continued the ultimately impossible to be viable pregnancy, all expenses would have have been covered except perhaps the undue mental trauma of it all. All government workers, all military families, all medicaid recipients impacted by the Hyde amendment. Absolutely unforgivable.


This is horrible; so sorry to hear of your experience.
Anonymous
Post 03/07/2023 22:50     Subject: Which Federal insurance plan?
Anonymous wrote:If you do need OON mental health, which plan is good?


We use GEHA HDHP with high OON mental health expenses. It works well for us.
Anonymous
Post 03/05/2023 21:19     Subject: Which Federal insurance plan?
Oh my gosh, PP, I am SO SORRY. Is there no way to petition that? That is outrageous. And I’m so sorry about the lost pregnancy and what sounds like very difficult circumstances.
Anonymous
Post 03/05/2023 18:54     Subject: Which Federal insurance plan?
Just a PSA, reminder that none of them cover terminations of pregnancy even in cases of fetal diagnoses incompatible with life. Having just faced a $10,000 out of pocket expense for a second trimester termination in a hospital setting I am angry and appalled to have been impacted by this complete lack of medical coverage and aware of how privileged we were to be able to afford this expense. Note, had we continued the ultimately impossible to be viable pregnancy, all expenses would have have been covered except perhaps the undue mental trauma of it all. All government workers, all military families, all medicaid recipients impacted by the Hyde amendment. Absolutely unforgivable.
Anonymous
Post 03/05/2023 12:46     Subject: Which Federal insurance plan?
Bumping.

Also, BCBS Basic vs BCBS Standard? The OPM website isn’t especially illuminating on the significant differences.
Anonymous
Post 02/26/2023 23:25     Subject: Which Federal insurance plan?
I'd rather fully fund 2 FSAs for out of network mental health than quit BCBS Basic. With BCBS standard, you pay % of everything pretty much. Imagine a surgery. Or lots of doctor visits.
Anonymous
Post 02/26/2023 23:12     Subject: Which Federal insurance plan?
If you do need OON mental health, which plan is good?
Anonymous
Post 02/26/2023 21:19     Subject: Which Federal insurance plan?
Anonymous wrote:We need a lot of mental healthcare because of my child’s special needs, and BCBS is THE WORST for reimbursing for out of network mental healthcare. We have GEHA Standard and have for years.


If you have BCBS Basic and are frustrated about not getting out of network coverage, you didn’t do any research on the plan. It is affordable because it doesn’t cover OON. They are very clear about the coverage they provide out of network.
Anonymous
Post 02/26/2023 18:16     Subject: Which Federal insurance plan?
Is BCBS Basic good if you’re on the west coast?
Anonymous
Post 02/26/2023 14:44     Subject: Which Federal insurance plan?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:What’s the premium cost on BCBS Basic?


Maybe $350 ish/month for a family? Go to fepblue and check


$238 biweekly for family coverage


That’s high!