Just trying to add my $300 to the HSA account and finding that the Anthem health assessment is a long winded questionnaire asking boat loads of questions that you would need to assess your medical files to (properly) complete. I thought the added money was going to be easier to qualify for than they are making it. Two thumbs down so far!

By the way, if you do request this additional money, the deadline for filling out the assessment Nov 30.

 

You are right. I didn't find my Purple premiums until I did a comparison on ehr. I only had the number for the buy up.

 

I was seriously leaning towards the purple plan after reading about it, as who can resist the potential of 4K annually added to the pot (or more), growing over the years if you don't use it?

However, on second thought....the premium difference compared to the buy up plan is negligible for me. Instead of being able to put $2500 in a FSA, I would be limited to $1100 in an HSA (if I read that right), unless I want to earmark it for vision or dental only. That costs me $560 in tax breaks directly right there (difference of $1400 at the 40% tax rate).

I think of how expensive medical costs are, and it is very challenging trying to do comparison shopping for medical. For family members, that minor operation? 6K. Orthotics and visits with a podiatrist? 1K. So many things that the medical field charges massively for. I can see how you would just decide not to get these things done. And how incredibly annoyed I would be to get these massive bills for someone working a couple of minutes on me, and not being able to do anything about it but pay the bill.

 

Yes, what a ridiculously long and detailed questionnaire, with dates requested for screenings you've done a long time ago, and may not even remember or be able to track down.

All that to get the analysis that I need to work on my eating and drinking habits. Well, tell me something I don't know already!

 

Unless I missed something
HSA or HRA are only available via the Purple or Orange CDHP
A limited FSA (Vision and dental) is available with the CDHPs

Buy Up plan = no HSA or HRA, but full up FSA (the Flexible Spending Account is via a new provider next year)

So, opt for Purple or Orange and you have the potential to get two spending cards. One for the HSA\HRA that FedEx funds through the year (one month at a time) and a Limited FSA card (amount at your discretion)

Or-opt for the Buy UP and get a full up FSA card (amount at your discretion)

 

My understanding is that the HRA is tied to the $4600 dollar fund that they put $383/Month in, but I was told you'd have access to the full amount initally (however, I don't see that in writing anywhere so it's probably not true!) It specifically says (page 15 para.3 2017 Pilot Benefit Enrollment Guide) there is "NO" debit card associated with the HRA and substantiation is required...

Seriously we're the bank for this! (If I had a sick kid I'd have to worry about reimbursement of potentially thousands of dollars! The pilot is on the hook for paying expenses hoping for reimbursement!?

The HSA (your money up to $2150) specifically has a mentioned Debit Card associated with it, but that's your tax exempt money anyway...

Buy Up solidified here again, someone else can be the Guinea Pig on this one; and some want us to renegotiate/change our retirement language... we'll get bent over the barrel on that I can already see it (Accepted Fares, Lay Flat Seats, CDHPs, Bid for training, the list goes on...) we think it says one thing and the company reinterprets it to mean nothing even close!

 

This!!! .........

 

Also agree with Flaps50 on this... I'm not interested in being a test pilot for the CDHP. We had to deal with receipts/reimbursements in CGN, and it was an absolute pain in the a$$. Really, it was the most challenging part of our time in the FDA. I see the potential for that huge additional workload with the CDHP, no thanks. We'll stick with our great Buy Up option, for a higher cost, but greater peace of mind.

Also, trying to find an answer to busdriver12's question, can we go back to Buy Up once we've gone to CDHP?

 

Eventually the company will attempt to push everyone into the HRA and HSA and make the buy up more expensive.

Once they get people hooked on them those "surveys" will include blood tests for cholesterol and other metrics yearly. In order to earn the "free money" you will have to meet the benchmarks or complete an online education course.

Studies have proven that HRA and HSA plans reduce the companies exposure to costs associated with health care. People are reluctant to get care since they have to have money up front to pay for it.

 

So here is a hypothetical.

For round numbers let us say the difference in premium between Purple and Buyup this year is $500.

Pilot A goes Purple and Pilot B goes Buyup.

Both pilots have two doctor visits. Pilot A ends up spending $550 of his seed money for the doctor visits, Pilot A pays $40 in copay for the doctor visits.

Right now for this year Pilot B has paid $10 less in health care costs than Pilot A.

Yes Pilot A paid his expenses with the seed money but that is now $550 less than he started with and Pilot A still has the entire amount available if a switch is made next year.

One more doctor visit and Pilot A is clearly ahead.

What am I missing?