I agree with kronan. There is no reason you have to live with the consequences of the HRA plan, just don't select it. Especially if your family uses medical benefits regularly. Simple enough. It seems like a bit of a suckers deal. Pulls you in by thinking about all the money you build up in your HRA (if you select a much worse plan than what you have). I have a family member who now has the similar HRA plan that other FedEx employees have. They are not happy with it, and say it costs them far more overall.

As far as the R and I chairman seeming to "like" the HRA plan, well, I wonder what he has selected for his family. I recall he seemed to think these high deductible plans were a great option for people retiring before 65, in the retirement seminar, which surprised me....why would someone not want to keep our extremely good plan during their high medical usage years, even if the monthly premium was higher?