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PlanetaryOrbit

(155 posts)
Fri Nov 14, 2014, 06:47 AM Nov 2014

Can you all help me compare some health insurance options? I'm ignorant. [View all]

My employer is offering different health insurance options to choose from.

I'm in my late 20s; reasonably healthy. Don't smoke or drink. Have no family; this health insurance covers me only.



Plan A, which costs me $400 more per year in premiums than Plan B:

Copay for pretty much all medical services of any sort: 80% after deductible, if in-network, 60% after deductible, if out-of-network
Annual out-of-pocket maximum: $3,000 in-network, unlimited out-of-network
Annual deductible: $1,500 in-network, $1,500 out-of-network
Non-network liability (don't even know what this means): Unlimited



****************************************************



Plan B, which costs me $400 less per year in premiums than Plan A:


Copay for pretty much all medical services of any sort: 70% after deductible, if in-network, 60% after deductible, if out-of-network
Annual out-of-pocket maximum: $5,000 in-network, unlimited out-of-network
Annual deductible: $2,000 in-network, $4,000 out-of-network
Non-network liability: Unlimited



Which do you think I should go for? And are these "good" health insurance plans, in terms of benefits, in your opinion? Mediocre? Lousy?


Also, why is the out-of-pocket maximum a set, fixed amount (i.e., $5,000,) but the non-network liability is "unlimited?" Is that a contradiction, or am I totally misunderstanding the meaning of "non-network liability?"

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If those are your only choices go with A. boston bean Nov 2014 #1
Plan B if you are healthy, plan A if not Travis_0004 Nov 2014 #2
My health care expense this year was just a few hundred dollars. PlanetaryOrbit Nov 2014 #3
You need to find out about the network. If it is not comprehensive, then Plan A will bankrupt you. Yo_Mama Nov 2014 #15
Being in your 20s and assuming generally good health, you shouldn't need coverage for anything Nuclear Unicorn Nov 2014 #4
Oh no PlanetaryOrbit Nov 2014 #5
Fair 'nuff. My original suggestion still holds, I believe. nt Nuclear Unicorn Nov 2014 #6
The reason the out of pocket max is unlimited for out of network mythology Nov 2014 #7
Your post is one more reason for single-payer. Vinca Nov 2014 #8
You're covered for the first 80% of what Medicare allows Lurks Often Nov 2014 #9
I know that. Vinca Nov 2014 #17
I would like to point out that I'm just plain ignorant. AngryAmish Nov 2014 #10
Plan A would be my choice Lurks Often Nov 2014 #11
No, in that scenario Plan A would save $1600. Nye Bevan Nov 2014 #14
We could both be wrong Lurks Often Nov 2014 #16
I would mercuryblues Nov 2014 #12
I crunched the numbers in Excel, Nye Bevan Nov 2014 #13
But, if possible, set aside the out-of-pocket maximum, and... Barack_America Nov 2014 #18
An HSA (health savings account) is great if you have money to contribute. Nye Bevan Nov 2014 #19
Thanks! PlanetaryOrbit Nov 2014 #20
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