FEHB 2010 Open Season

[XL-entLady]

Don't know if you all have heard yet or not, but 2010 health benefits open season will run from November 9 through December 14, 2009.

Our HR dept says that OPM has posted all of the Open Season guides and brochures electronically to their website.

www.opm.gov/insure/openseason

Because my health insurance gets such a workout I always do in-depth research every year. I'll post my findings here. I realize that what is best for me won't necessarily be best for you. Health insurance is a highly individualized matter.

But I would greatly appreciate it if you would post your findings and comments on the open season in this thread so that we can all learn together.

Thanks!

Lady

 

[Steadygain]

But I would greatly appreciate it if you would post your findings and comments on the open season in this thread so that we can all learn together.

Thanks!

Lady

That's an EXCELLENT IDEA !!

My Insurance Company dropped Federal Employees .... will follow up

Thank You !!!

 

[jeepcj258]

This is a great idea.

 

[grandma]

That's an EXCELLENT IDEA !!

My Insurance Company dropped Federal Employees ....

What do you suppose the chances are that the companies that eliminated Fed employees are the ones that covered the bulk of congress??
Our Elected Elite do have access to the same plans our different agencies have, right? (I am aware that the different agencies may have different companies' offerings.)
Or do they have a Special Company ...I know they are not included to have to follow the rules put to the rest of the feds, or anyone as far as that goes, under the Obama Stealth Plan.
'twould be sweet justice, methinks, if they should all have to scramble....

 

[James48843]

PLan Information booklets are now posted for every state.

http://opm.gov/insure/health/planinfo/index.asp

I'm rummaging through the changes to my plan now........

 

[grandma]

PLan Information booklets are now posted for every state.

http://opm.gov/insure/health/planinfo/index.asp

I'm rummaging through the changes to my plan now........

Thanx for the link ! Now to see if I can understand the changes - & do I want something different? So far, it seems like MHBP has `done me right,' But that is w/o comparing it to another plan.
What I already know, is rates are going UUuuup !

 

[Viva_La_Migra]

PLan Information booklets are now posted for every state.

http://opm.gov/insure/health/planinfo/index.asp

I'm rummaging through the changes to my plan now........

I use my wife's healthcare benefits. They're better than the government's. I'll go back on the government plan when I get within five years of retirement, so I can keep the coverage into retirement. Of course, if they go to single payer, then I probably won't need it, since I'll only be given pain pills until I die!

 

[Silverbird]

I use my wife's healthcare benefits. They're better than the government's. I'll go back on the government plan when I get within five years of retirement, so I can keep the coverage into retirement. Of course, if they go to single payer, then I probably won't need it, since I'll only be given pain pills until I die!

Wow, that's interesting. I assumed most of us were on the silver handcuffs (FEHB) plan. Are company plans getting better, or FEHB just getting too pricey?

 

[Frixxxx]

Wow, that's interesting. I assumed most of us were on the silver handcuffs (FEHB) plan. Are company plans getting better, or FEHB just getting too pricey?

I was in the private sector for a few years. I paid, at most, $150/month out there.....

I was shocked when I came back to Federal Service and saw the price tag. But I needed the job!

 

[Viva_La_Migra]

Wow, that's interesting. I assumed most of us were on the silver handcuffs (FEHB) plan. Are company plans getting better, or FEHB just getting too pricey?

She works for a health insurer. We pay no premiums, have a $5 copay for doctor visits, and $5 prescriptions.

This is one of many "Cadillac" insurance plans Obama wants to put the tax on! Oh well, it's been a good run.

 

[Frixxxx]

She works for a health insurer. We pay no premiums, have a $5 copay for doctor visits, and $5 prescriptions.

This is one of many "Cadillac" insurance plans Obama wants to put the tax on! Oh well, it's been a good run.

Nice Plan!:nuts:

 

[XL-entLady]

From an article in Fedsmith today:

"...federal employees have help when it comes to evaluating their options. For instance, OPM has a plan comparison tool on its Web site; other federal agencies provide Consumers Checkbook; most health plans have tools that detail their benefits; and the PlanSmartChoice decision support site is available free to all federal employees.
Fifteen minutes on a decision support Web site will help federal employees to become better health care consumers. By devoting a small amount of time to evaluating options, federal employees can ensure that they've chosen the medical plan that best meets their individual needs...."

http://www.fedsmith.com/article/2178/choosing-health-plan-have-you-pulling-your.html

I moved from Blue Cross Blue Shield to Aetna last year. And I did end up saving a bundle. But as I look at the coverages and what I am expecting to use next year, I may have to change insurances again. Study, study, study! :cheesy:

Lady

 

[nnuut]

From an article in Fedsmith today:

"...federal employees have help when it comes to evaluating their options. For instance, OPM has a plan comparison tool on its Web site; other federal agencies provide Consumers Checkbook; most health plans have tools that detail their benefits; and the PlanSmartChoice decision support site is available free to all federal employees.
Fifteen minutes on a decision support Web site will help federal employees to become better health care consumers. By devoting a small amount of time to evaluating options, federal employees can ensure that they've chosen the medical plan that best meets their individual needs...."

http://www.fedsmith.com/article/2178/choosing-health-plan-have-you-pulling-your.html

I moved from Blue Cross Blue Shield to Aetna last year. And I did end up saving a bundle. But as I look at the coverages and what I am expecting to use next year, I may have to change insurances again. Study, study, study! :cheesy:

Lady

I changed last year myself from BCBS to Mail Handlers and saved about $1000, this year they both will cost about the same within $3 now BC $185 and MH $183 a pay day. What to do, What to do? When you figure it out let me know Lady!! Please.

 

[Steadygain]

Wow -- forgot about this and only because of Grandma did I remember.

Grandma reminds me a lot of Lady -- Smart as can be; thoughtful; reflective; looking out for others; communicates very well.

OK - We were using Health Insurance -- connected with HMOs in our area that cost a little more than $200 biweekly

Are switching to BC/BS for roughtly $130 biweekly and maintaining all the doctors we wanted and have been established with and they throw in Dental Check Ups to boot.

So on the whole we are trilled with being forced to change!!

 

[Guest2]

I gave this to everyone last year. It's that time again. I found this tool
helped me to make a informed decision with comprehensive comparisons
of each Plan and their costs.

"For your first session using the PlanSmartChoice™ application, you must access
the login page using the above steps. For subsequent sessions, you can access
the login page directly at https://www.plansmartchoice.com/."

Registration Is Required.
Good Luck !

 

[XL-entLady]

I gave this to everyone last year. It's that time again. I found this tool helped me to make a informed decision with comprehensive comparisons of each Plan and their costs.....at https://www.plansmartchoice.com/."

Thanks for the reminder and the link, my friend! How is my favorite bear, huh?

It was interesting for me to use your link tool. Last year I saved about $100 a month by switching from BCBS to Aetna. But I'm going to need to start going to weekly physical therapy sessions. And by using the Smart Choice link and following up on what I learned there, I found out that Aetna caps PT visits to 20 a year. So I'm probably going to have to switch insurances again. Maybe back to BCBS because they allow 75 PT visits a year.

It's such a blessing that we have options that work for so many different personal situations. I love government benefits!

Life is good!

Lady

 

[Show-me]

Thanks for the reminder and the link, my friend! How is my favorite bear, huh?

It was interesting for me to use your link tool. Last year I saved about $100 a month by switching from BCBS to Aetna. But I'm going to need to start going to weekly physical therapy sessions. And by using the Smart Choice link and following up on what I learned there, I found out that Aetna caps PT visits to 20 a year. So I'm probably going to have to switch insurances again. Maybe back to BCBS because they allow 75 PT visits a year.

It's such a blessing that we have options that work for so many different personal situations. I love government benefits!

Life is good!

Lady

You said it Sister, good to see you back.

 

[Steadygain]

BC/BS - reduces payments to half with same or more benefits
$109 biweekly

Dental Ins. (first time getting)
MetLife PPO - High Option
Self
$15 biweekly

Getting $5,000 Implant next yr (one tooth) -- will cost $800
Plus includes services we usually pay $600 or better

 

[XL-entLady]

Been spending lots of time with the spreadsheets and finally made my decision.

I looked at my costs for the last 12 months - 20% of my income - gulp! I considered my routine doctor visits, specialist costs, generic, formulary and non-formulary Rx costs, and those darn physical therapy visits. Actually they're hydrotherapy and I love them. They really ease those tied up muscles.

If it hadn't been for the physical therapy limitation I'd have stayed with Aetna HDHP. With a premium cost of less than $15 a month after adding back in the HSA, it's hard to beat. But the two month cap on physical therapy changes the whole picture for me. Because weekly physical therapy is now going to be just a normal part of my world.

It looks like I'm going to be going with Blue Cross Blue Shield Standard next year. And staying with GEHA Dental and FEPBlue Vision.

FWIW,
Lady

 

[XL-entLady]

Been spending lots of time with the spreadsheets and finally made my decision. ....

If it hadn't been for the physical therapy limitation I'd have stayed with Aetna HDHP. With a premium cost of less than $15 a month after adding back in the HSA, it's hard to beat. But the two month cap on physical therapy changes the whole picture for me. Because weekly physical therapy is now going to be just a normal part of my world.

It looks like I'm going to be going with Blue Cross Blue Shield Standard next year. And staying with GEHA Dental and FEPBlue Vision.

FWIW,
Lady

Is a Lady allowed to change her mind? :embarrest:

I found a new facility that will allow me to do my hydrotherapy without additional cost to me. That means that I will be able to stay with Aetna HDHP instead of changing to BCBS. That will save me almost $200 a month in premium and co-pay costs.

Life is good.

Lady