I also have GEHA High Detectable for the Dentist.
OK, I'm still an active Fed, so I can't speak to the whole Medicare stuff, but I am currently on BCBS Basic and have been for a number of years. Cost has exploded over the past 5 years in my opinion.
I've done some research and for DC area, I'm thinking of switching to the MHBP plan standard (My understanding is all feds can select this plan). We're on a self +1 but the family plan is about the same price. It's a $700 deductible and I believe a $52 union-ish fee per year, but it's still around 2,600 less per year for self +1. The co-pays for primary and specialists are less than BCBS basic (Specialist visits went up from $40 to $50 for BCBS basic). If you need surgery, etc., I think it's like 10% co-pay (after you meet the deductible), but based on the NEGOTIATED rates which tend to be far cheaper than what the doctors bill the insurance company.
It's an Aetna product, so I checked and all my doctors participate.
Dental - We're on BCBS high plan, about 47 a PP for self +1. One nice thing about BCBS high dental (not sure about standard), they cover 3 cleanings per year, not just 2, but still only 2 exams. In my area the premium is within a few dollars of the other "high" dental plans.
Since I'm sticking with the extra dental, I'm not too worried about losing the basic dental from the BCBS basic plan.
You can search the internet, there's a a decent thread on Reddit about MHBP vs. BCBS. A number on my co-workers are thinking of switching.
Anyway, with essentially no pay raise, I gotta look to see where I can trim down on expenses.
