Eh, I figured with my luck I would need the best plan. My already legally blind without my contacts so I need the VSP insurance (pretty good too) ... but I think I might lower my health care to the middle tier next time around, haha. What's your copay on the lowest tier?

Horizon- employee is covered at no cost to employee with medical/dental/vision (though not good vision coverage). Also have life insurance equal to 1 year pay at no cost.

About $300/month to cover my wife and son with medical/dental/vision.

One thing I have liked with Horizontal is that Alaska Air Group is self-insured. They pay Blue Cross to manage air group money for health costs. Kind of nice as since it isn't Blue Cross's money and they don't fight over coverage.

Are you for real? I contacted many insurance companies privately and got shafted by their high prices. Couldn't afford it. As for work insurance, we have a $25,000 annual cap and a $100,000 lifetime cap. We're having a baby and I'm sooooooo scared! I hope it doesn't go over $25,000.

This is not necessarily a "good" thing. Being self-insured works for large companies, until large claims hit. Cancer, premies (baby), and chronic illness can terrorize a company and expenses go through the roof. Co-pays, Rx costs, and premiums rise quickly once this happens.

The self-insured vs. plan debate is much like car insurance (I gave this analogy on the company board).
$150/mo for all required coverage and a low deductible (lets say $250)
$75/mo for all required coverage and a high deductible (lets say $1500)
-The $75 plan sounds great until the kids start driving and have numerous wrecks.

Cancer and premies (just a couple of each) can cost as much as the total healthcare budget for the rest of the "healthy" group. The airlines, as usual, try to win by betting on uncalculateable risk.

May not ultimately be the best for the company and in the long run that is important. In the short term selfish view though it has made it easier for me to not squabble with insurance over coverage.

$34 every 2 weeks. It is actually good insurance. Have had everything covered by just paying copay. Even found a loophole....If you ever need an MRI it is covered 100% as long as the MRI is done at the same facility as the covered doctor.

B00sted- You have the best Avatar ever.