Weddingbee boards

If you have any choice in what plan you end up with, here are some points to consider:

• How much is the premium (amount you pay every month)?
• How much is the deductible (amount you have to pay out of pocket before the benefits take effect)?
• Is there a maximum out of pocket amount (when you pay $xxxx, you no longer pay anything and the plan picks up the rest)?
• If there is both a deductible and maximum out of pocket amount, is the deductible included in the maximum out of pocket amount?  Are prescriptions costs included?
• Is there a annual/ lifetime limit (if the plan pays $xxxx, they no longer cover your expenses)?
• Are you limited in what doctors you see (in-network vs out-of-network)?
• Are you limited in what hospitals you can go to (in-network vs out-of-network)?
• What is your copay for a standard office visit?  Visit to a specialist?
• Do you need a referral to see a specialist?
• What is the copay for medications?  
• Are there preferred (formulary) and non-preferred (non-formulary) medications?  
• Is there a mail-order service (often less expensive - you receive 3 months of medications all at once).
• If you haven't had insurance for a while, are there any rules about pre-existing conditions?

the costs vary depending on if its through work or personal self employed coverage.

I have BCBS FEP (which is the federal employee coverage - the "so called congressional plan" that everyone talks about in the news.) and it SUCKS for what i need it for. they cover only what they want. and since i have had both cancer and female problems AND i have auto immune disorders, they are pretty much useless. but for the run of the mill illnesses they are great and wide range of doctors.

i used to have Cigna, and i loved them. great plan. doctors are a bit more limited though.

it really does depend on your area, whats available and how much you are willing to pay for it.