Comparing percentages is comparing apples to apples. You are not comparing anything. Remember everything else rises in price also. You need a 3-4 percent raise each year just to maintain status quo in spending power. When one thing raises 20 percent (health insurance in this case), it decreases your spending power. Our next two pay adjustments are just cola. I would not call that winning.

 

I calculate the HRA gold plan went up 8%. Nothing else changed so not sure where the 20% is coming from. I get your point though, 3% per year doesn't cut it even if healthcare didn't go up.

I switched to the Silver HRA from gold because I have almost $5000 in the HRA account....we have been very lucky the last 3 years on the healthcare costs. $99/mo for a family is good and if I have a worst case scenario disaster it will really only cost me $3000 more than the Gold after they use all my HRA money and I save $2000 in premiums. If we could roll HRA money into an HSA I would switch to one of those, but I'll lose all my HRA money so I guess I'll stay there until I use it someday.

For the newbies coming in....if you look around corporate America we still have very good, and cheap, healthcare compared to most companies. Most people will pay over $400 per month for a high deductible plan that costs us $99 for a family.

 

Rocky,

You may want to look into this more... I'm not an expert (so be sure to verify any info), but I believe the hsa money stays with you and can be used in subsequent medical (non hsa) plans. I think what you want to do is possible. The money stays in the hsa, but can be used to cover any medical expenses even in a hra plan. You cannot contribute any more $$, but you can spend what you already have without tax implications. In addition I think you can roll over the money to an Ira or just keep it as an investment account until retirement. If you are considering changing plans you may want to give Delta or ALPA a call.

 

I have the DPMP plan. It went from $400 to $480. 20 percent. The gold HRA only raised the premium 8 percent, but it raised the deductible significantly. The deductible that does not count towards out of pocket expense. To me that is the same as the premium though as I have never spent less than the deductible. I will also say that the compare tool is inaccurate. It really bothers me because every year it shows the gold as being the cheapest, but when I actually look at my claims and do the math myself, I always come ahead in the dpmp. Claims seem to always be left out in the compare tool.

 

Sorry, disregard all of this...got hsa/hra all confused. Long nights lead to inaccurate posts in the morning.

 

How do you check your balance in your HRA?

 

So I got an email from the DAL pilot selection team saying they looked at my app but need my high school info (I guess I forgot to add it...despite having a masters I guess you still need to prove you graduated high school!). It said to update the app so they can give the app "further consideration".

I'm assuming they don't error check every app on file, so hoping maybe a real person is looking at it...got my fingers crossed I might get an interview. Anyone else have this happen? Or is it an automated email?

 

Definitely not automated.

 

Good to know...maybe I'll hear something soon.