It appears Joe C decided he wasn’t interested in the Costco plan. From the looks of things, he’s probably better off leaving “well enough” alone.
I’ve been an Aetna Advantage (PPO) member (HDHP) since 2004. I medically qualified thru their own salespeople in PA. I didn’t use a broker.
I just had a chance to review my (HDHP) policy and it appears mine is *better* than Costco’s “Preferred Network 5,500 Deductible Plan” (which it most resembles) in a number of ways.
These differences are for In-Network providers:
My Annual Deductible is $5K/$10K. Costco’s is $5,500/$11K.
My Coinsurance Maximum is $3K/$8K. Costco’s is $5K/$10K.
My Annual Out-of-Pocket Maximum is $8K/$20K. Costco’s is $10,500/$21K.
My Emergency Room copay is $100 (waived if admitted). Costco’s is $350.
My Generic pharmacy price is $15 copay (ded waived). Costco’s is $15/$20 (at Costco only). I can fill mine anywhere at this price. (I’ve actually gotten them at $5 and $9 in the past, depending on what they were.)
My Preferred Brand pharmacy price is $35 copay (ded waived). Costco’s is $30/$35 (after ded).
My Non-Preferred Brand pharmacy price is $50 copay (ded waived). Costco’s is $40/$50 (after ded).
I also have this additional coverage (which may or may not be a part of Costco’s plans – they don’t state):
Urgent Care Clinic copay is $50 (ded waived).
Up to 30 days Hospice – 30% (after ded) $10K max lifetime benefit.
Routine Cancer Screening (as ordered by dr) – 100% (ded waived). (I’ve already had two colonoscopies pd for by Aetna as a cost of abt $2200 for both.)
Ambulance – 30% (after ded) $2K max annual benefit.
Organ Transplant – 30% (after ded)
Hearing Aid – $200 every 36 mos (ded waived)
The rest of my coverage is the same as that of the Costco plan.
Fortunately, I don’t have to cover any dependents … only myself.
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Note that I am “grandfathered” into this policy. Even though my premium has gone up >12 times since 2004, I would be a fool to switch carriers until I am Medicare-eligible, at which time I’ll buy a MC supplement and “Part D” prescription coverage (that is, IF MC is still around, then) :=0.
It’s interesting to see how my carrier has insidiously shaved benefits from their plans since the law has required them to accept any applicant, regardless of pre-existing condition. For many of these new applicants, the carriers obviously can’t know in advance exactly what to charge them in premiums, due to the unpredictable nature of their ongoing medical bills. All they can really do is issue this subset of applicants a policy and “play it by ear” as to how much to raise their premiums every 6-12 months :=0
