Now that it is Open Season for Federal Employees Health Benefits, I am seeking comments on the Blue Cross Blue Shield options.
I was on Standard for decades while still working, then went to Basic the year I became eligible for Medicare A&B, and am now on Aetna Direct. I did not see any point to being on Standard with Part B--expensive, and Basic does not have additional Skilled Nursing Facility days, but the Focus option is such a low premium and apparently covers just about as well as the others when combined with A&B that I thought it worth looking into. I was very pleased when on BCBS previously. I do know that Basic gives the $1600 per year reimbursement but that still doesn't make up for the premium difference between Basic and Focus (Self+One). I do see that the Specialty Rx appears better with Basic. Focus has a higher Catastrophic but that might not be such a factor with Medicare involved. Same with the lack of out of network coverage. I have been very pleased with Aetna Direct and its flexible HRA, especially covering Rx coinsurance/copays but do wonder if anyone sees anything else about the three BCBS options and why or why not they chose them.
I really haven't heard much about anyone using Focus with Medicare. Any comments?
I was on Standard for decades while still working, then went to Basic the year I became eligible for Medicare A&B, and am now on Aetna Direct. I did not see any point to being on Standard with Part B--expensive, and Basic does not have additional Skilled Nursing Facility days, but the Focus option is such a low premium and apparently covers just about as well as the others when combined with A&B that I thought it worth looking into. I was very pleased when on BCBS previously. I do know that Basic gives the $1600 per year reimbursement but that still doesn't make up for the premium difference between Basic and Focus (Self+One). I do see that the Specialty Rx appears better with Basic. Focus has a higher Catastrophic but that might not be such a factor with Medicare involved. Same with the lack of out of network coverage. I have been very pleased with Aetna Direct and its flexible HRA, especially covering Rx coinsurance/copays but do wonder if anyone sees anything else about the three BCBS options and why or why not they chose them.
I really haven't heard much about anyone using Focus with Medicare. Any comments?