Readers' Comments
Total Comments: 43
Page 2 of 4
Page 2 of 4
Health Insurance Premiums Going Up: How to Get Some of Your Money Back
Total Comments: 43
Page 2 of 4
Page 2 of 4
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| Close | Change | YTD | |
| G | $13.2114 | +0.0012 | +0.70% |
| F | $13.6201 | -0.0062 | +2.14% |
| C | $13.8116 | -0.0706 | +4.49% |
| S | $17.9282 | -0.1903 | +8.91% |
| I | $18.5079 | -0.0782 | -0.16% |
| Close | Change | YTD | |
| L 2040 | $16.1968 | -0.0789 | +3.59% |
| L 2030 | $15.9593 | -0.0673 | +3.23% |
| L 2020 | $15.7365 | -0.0532 | +2.72% |
| L 2010 | $15.4595 | -0.0197 | +1.57% |
| L Income | $14.0856 | -0.0155 | +1.48% |
March 22, 2010
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blue cross
retired
Mon Oct 19, 2009 12:39 PM
Post Reply
Anybody wishing to stay with BC/BS needs to take a closer look at the basic option. The standard option has much higher premiums for hardly any difference in benefits. Ive been very satisfied with BC/BS basic option, and although I despise yet higher premiums once again, I will probably stay with them
Health Insurance Premiums
DoD
Mon Oct 19, 2009 12:45 PM
Post Reply
The BCBS Standard Family Option would put my family on the street, so I can't go that way. The cost of insurance is why I work with many non-supervisory personnel with 40+ years in the system.
Twelve ago I worked in private industry. The company changed to a great employee plan, but the family plan was rediculously expensive. So expensive in fact, that I opted out for food and shelter, pregnant wife and all. The company did not hesitate to endorsed my application for Medicaid, and my expectant wife delivered our 2nd and 3rd children on the taxpayers' ticket. That was that company's "public" option.
Health Premium Hike
EEOC
Mon Oct 19, 2009 1:02 PM
Post Reply
This is actually our going away gift from the prior administration whose legacy staff "pretended" to negotiate rates on our behalf. See the article in Federal Times for an article on real negotiation!
Bring on Health Care Reform with a Public Option!
Ralph talked about hearing loss and
usda
Mon Oct 19, 2009 1:38 PM
Post Reply
What does Ralph mean by digital amplification benefits under bc/bs standard option??? What are the benefits??
Re: Ralph talked about hearing loss and
HUD
Mon Oct 19, 2009 5:11 PM
Re: Ralph talked about hearing loss and
usda
Tue Oct 20, 2009 11:27 AM
Health Insurance Premiums
Interior
Mon Oct 19, 2009 1:40 PM
Post Reply
When considering changes in health plans for cost-effective reasons, be VERY careful. For those of you who have chronic health conditions and/or possible health conditions that have a genetic component, please be forewarned that no federal health benefit plan will pay for genetic testing. I ended up being diagnosed with a health condition which is genetic in my family. I ended up paying $800 just for the genetic marker test. I have been in HMO's, PPO's, High Deductible Consumer-Option plans and the old-fashioned "fee for service" plans.
I recommend High Deductible Consumer-Option Plans for those of you with deep pockets, who are very healthy, only see a doctor or dentist every six months, take no prescription medicines, because you can save a boatload of money. For those with chronic health conditions, you are better off with an HMO, PPO, or fee for service plans. I know. I found out the hard way.
Consider a HDHP Plan
Air Force
Mon Oct 19, 2009 1:56 PM
Post Reply
If you are healthy, young, etc., it looks like you would be better off with a high deductable plan with a health savings account. I was in BCBS for 20 years, but I moved to Aetna's plan last year.
For 2010, the Colorado single coverage is $34.50 per bi-weekly paycheck and family is $75.56 per paycheck. in return Aetna and Uncle Sam deposit $65 each month for single and $125 each month for family into a Health Savings Account, which is my money. Total cost is $4.50 per paycheck single or $17.87 family.
The risk: something will happen before my HSA is built up to cover my deductable. Also, they don't cover every piddly doctor visit, etc. (But they pay 100% of dental and eye checkups).
Is it worth $1984 (single) or $4347 (family) MORE per year for BCBS standard just so I have a $10 copay?
It's a reverse of "you get what you pay for." In this case, it's "you pay for what you get." This is insurance, not a medical "even pay" plan!!
Typo error on BC/BS 2010 employee premium
USDA
Mon Oct 19, 2009 4:53 PM
Post Reply
Friends, there is a typo in the Blue Cross chart for 2010 Employee Premiums for Standard Family. New rate is $400.97, increase of $44, not $499.97 as shown. I agree that these rates in increasing rapidly & the Gov't's share is going down on all of the plans. The gov't is now only paying 67% in lieu of 69% for 2009 & 70% 2008 & 72% 2007! check it out on www.opm.gov .....then health plan premiums. All of the family premiums, not matter how much they are, the Gov't portion is still $814.75 each.