Gotadimple
Thinks s/he gets paid by the post
- Joined
- Feb 17, 2007
- Messages
- 2,619
When I first retired, I signed up for my employer's retiree Medicare Advantage plan. Then they stop providing retiree health coverage to new retirees which made the plan a closed plan. When I compared the coverage to the same plan available to the public, I found my premiums were higher because the retiree plan had lower co-pays and out of pocket costs - significantly lower.
Over time, the insurer in the public plan started restricting certain optional coverage (vision/dental) and increasing premiums for that coverage. These optional plans were worth it as there was no charge for the office visits and $ amount limits on the total reimbursement. When the premium went up I was basically self insuring by paying the plan to pay the doctor.
I have recently moved to Aetna Medicare Advantage Preferred plan, a PPO. In Washington state this plan has:
$0 premium, $0 deductible, and $0 co-pay for primary care
$40 co-pay for specialists. Maximum out of pocket is $6,900, assuming you use in-network providers. Out of network providers have higher co-pays and maximum out of pocket expense
I can self refer to a provider, it does include dental, and vision at no added premium.
Over time, the insurer in the public plan started restricting certain optional coverage (vision/dental) and increasing premiums for that coverage. These optional plans were worth it as there was no charge for the office visits and $ amount limits on the total reimbursement. When the premium went up I was basically self insuring by paying the plan to pay the doctor.
I have recently moved to Aetna Medicare Advantage Preferred plan, a PPO. In Washington state this plan has:
$0 premium, $0 deductible, and $0 co-pay for primary care
$40 co-pay for specialists. Maximum out of pocket is $6,900, assuming you use in-network providers. Out of network providers have higher co-pays and maximum out of pocket expense
I can self refer to a provider, it does include dental, and vision at no added premium.