Q How can I find out the difference between the two plans. I understand the Basic plan is cheaper than the standard for which I am paying $400.97 a month for the family plan as a retired DoD employee.
A.If you don’t already have a copy of the plan brochure, you can download one at http://opm.gov/insure/health/planinfo/2011/brochures/71-005.pdf. With that information in hand you can compare the benefits offered and both the co-insurances and deductibles.
2 Comments
I have always had BCBS Standard Option. I am now retired and my wife and I have Medicare Parts A and B. The standard option is $150 more per month. Since all doctors and hospitals in our area are preferred, I cannot see any reason to pay an extra $150 per month for the higher priced Standard Option. Is there some major reason I am not seeing and would regret going to the lower priced Basic Option. I sure I am missing something. Thanks.
We aren’t able to compare the costs and benefits of different options. You may find the answer you’re looking for in Walton Francis’s Consumers’ CHECKBOOK Guide to Health Plans for Federal Employees, available at http://www.checkbook.org/newhig2/hig.cfm