[Glorantha]

Retiring from the Federal Government early next year and will be moving to the villages. Will go through open season this fall to pick our health plan for the coming year. We currently use an HMO under United Health Care, not sure this will work after our move. Which plans under the Federal Employee system is most advantageous for those living in the villages?

[retiredguy123]

Originally Posted by Soon2B-Villager

Retiring from the Federal Government early next year and will be moving to the villages. Will go through open season this fall to pick our health plan for the coming year. We currently use an HMO under United Health Care, not sure this will work after our move. Which plans under the Federal Employee system is most advantageous for those living in the villages?

I have the Blue Cross Standard plan as my only health insurance. I have had no problems finding providers. Also, I save a lot of money by declining Medicare Part B. I figure that I can afford the $5,000 catastrophic out-of-pocket limit, if I ever need to pay it.

[MDLNB]

I'm sure that there are several options that are equally adequate. I use BC/BS basic and have not had any problems. I also declined Medicare B because I could see no purpose of having them take another $150 out of my social security for something my insurance pays for. Multiply that by two (spouse) and I save the amount it costs me for my FEPBlue (BC/BS).

[Bill14564]

We are fairly new to the area and under 65. Our BC/BS Basic plan has worked well for us so far. I'm considering the Standard plan but haven't found a reason to change just yet.

[Normal]

Originally Posted by Soon2B-Villager

Retiring from the Federal Government early next year and will be moving to the villages. Will go through open season this fall to pick our health plan for the coming year. We currently use an HMO under United Health Care, not sure this will work after our move. Which plans under the Federal Employee system is most advantageous for those living in the villages?

We have enrolled in Part B and Tricare plus. We are also looking for the best group option in the Wildwood area, so far it looks like United.

[Glorantha]

Thanks for everyone’s feedback.

[nick demis]

I am over 65 and are using Florida blue and my wife who is under 65 is also using it with no complaints.

[Toymeister]

If you are healthy and since you state retire early, meaning all discussion on Medicare is not relevant, consider a HDCP.

High deductable health care plan. Under this plan the first 3500 is on you but they 'give' you 2,400 towards that. After the 3,500 deductible it covers 80-85%, in other words it works like blue cross. The real kicker is you can save 3,600 (self) 7,200 family, State (n/a) and federal tax free. You choose the financial institution where that is saved and how it is invested. That money is yours forever.

So let's do the math.

The donut hole of no coverage is 1,200. If you saved 7,200 you saved 1,584 in taxes and you saved $Xxx.xx on health care premiums. If you are healthy and didn't use the 'allowance' from the HDCP it rolls over year to year. So next year you might not have a donut hole at all, but you still can save 1,584 in income tax.

[retiredguy123]

Originally Posted by Toymeister

If you are healthy and since you state retire early, meaning all discussion on Medicare is not relevant, consider a HDCP.

High deductable health care plan. Under this plan the first 3500 is on you but they 'give' you 2,400 towards that. After the 3,500 deductible it covers 80-85%, in other words it works like blue cross. The real kicker is you can save 3,600 (self) 7,200 family, State (n/a) and federal tax free. You choose the financial institution where that is saved and how it is invested. That money is yours forever.

So let's do the math.

The donut hole of no coverage is 1,200. If you saved 7,200 you saved 1,584 in taxes and you saved $Xxx.xx on health care premiums. If you are healthy and didn't use the 'allowance' from the HDCP it rolls over year to year. So next year you might not have a donut hole at all, but you still can save 1,584 in income tax.

To clarify, are you saying that, if you have a $1 million medical bill, you will owe about $200,000 out-of-pocket? With the Federal Blue Cross Standard plan, a $1 million bill would only cost $5,000 maximum out-of-pocket per year because of the catastrophic limit. I had a personal experience with a friend who had those types of charges. She was healthy until she wasn't.

[jdulej]

Another thing to be careful of with the cheaper (under $1,000/month) plans is the breadth of coverage. We, unfortunately, found ourselves with very severe health issues (out of the blue, never had any issues before) requiring specialty care. The seeming randomness of coverage can be very frustrating, if not down right dangerous. Shands in Gainesville for some treatment, Shands only in Jacksonville for other (even though it is also done in Gainesville). Need specialty care at Moffet in Tampa - forget it, out of network. And on and on.
With Medicare, these issues are greatly reduced.

[Toymeister]

Originally Posted by retiredguy123

To clarify, are you saying that, if you have a $1 million medical bill, you will owe about $200,000 out-of-pocket? With the Federal Blue Cross Standard plan, a $1 million bill would only cost $5,000

No, I am not saying that. Once the 3,500.00 detectable is met there is a maximum catastrophic ceiling, usually 10,000.00

It is -just like- BCBS, 80 or 85% of all bills once the detectable is met until the catastrophe limit when 100% is covered.

How do they do this? It's human nature, when you have skin in the game you care about costs. For example high cholesterol a Dr. offered medication X, I said "is it off patent?". No. Let's try the 4.00 a month script instead (works great says the lab results)

The medical professionals do not care in the slightest about costs, by caring a little bit I save thousands. But if it is something non minor I don't care because I don't need to.

You can count on a Contracting Officer to read the contract (insurance coverages). I have read the requirements that OPM set forth for all FEHCI. A catastrophic limit is a requirement of all Federal plans, every. single. one.