Tuck

Why would you ever take any plan offered that's more than $233/month ($2800/year, deducible plus max out of pocket)? In fact why would SWAPA even allow those distraction plans in the contract?

No one has a lot of preventative care - by definition - it's preventative so you can't have a lot of it - in fact everyone probably has about the same based on age and if you choose to do it.

It sounds like an excellent plan but don't understand why SWAPA wouldn't just tell everyone to go RP and either ignore every other plan, or, better, don't even allow those other plans in the contract?

Stitches

History lesson: Not everyone who works at SWA is a pilot subject to the SWAPA cba. In the past the company's choice plus plans were significantly cheaper then they are today however none of the offered plans were contractual for any employee group.

In one of the most insightful moves old SWAPA ever made, they realized that the company could increase choice premiums at will. They negotiated the regular plan into the pilot cba which acted as a ceiling preventing the company from offsetting future raises by excessively increasing health care costs.

Under Obama the choice plan premiums rose significantly and eventually overtook the cost of the regular plan. Today it's a no-brainer for most pilots to choose the regular plan but it didn't always used to be that way. The intent of the regular plan was only to prevent excessive premium increases on the choice plans.

Those "distraction plans" used to be a better deal but not anymore and every enrollment period SWAPA has been educating pilots on their options. As far as the choice plans, SWAPA doesn't get a say whether to "allow" the company to offer them. They're not contractual.

Smooth at FL450

These other plans are not in the contract. Contract requires the Regular Plan or similar to be provided. Also, pretty sure SWAPA doesn't want the liability of telling somebody what health insurance to take.

Skyward

What type of plan is the RP, and how good is the coverage? Is it like an HMO where you can only go to certain doctors, or are you free to go to any participating provider without a referral that is in network?

CA1900

Even better — the regular plan has NO limited provider network. Go to whoever you want; if they don’t bill UHC directly, you can submit for reimbursement after the fact.

In a nutshell, a 20% coinsurance (your portion) on covered services (most everything except preventative care and vaccinations). After you hit $2500 annual out of pocket maximum for your family, no more coinsurance. No monthly premiums.

It’s not perfect but it’s damn good. No provider network is the main reason we went with it; my wife would have had to switch half of her doctors on the Choice Plus plan, and that’s not something we wanted to do.

Skyward

That sounds pretty good! So no traditional co-pay, but just pay 20% of that visit up to 2500 for the year? Does that apply to the whole family?

*edit: I just re-read page one and answered most of my questions

Boogie1

Can anyone speak to note 3 about the regular plan? It says you may be required to pay amounts over the $2500 annual limit.

Thanks



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CA1900

I believe it's when the doctor charges more than the "reasonable" rate the insurance company covers, which can be a factor when using a doctor out of UHC's usual network. For instance, if they say a visit should cost $100, they'll pay $80. If the doctor charges more than $100, that overage is not covered nor applied to the $2500 OOP maximum.

saab2000

Another option is the Health Savings Account, or HSA. It costs me $4.50 per pay period, or $9 per month. Whatever I save in it can be used for qualifying expenses and after a threshold is reached, it may be invested like a 401(k).

I contribute $150 per pay period which will get me to the annual limit of $3400 by the end of November. The money can grow like a retirement account. That money is mine to be used later. The $9/month is pretty reasonable IMHO.

Look at the coverage and it's not bad at all, plus I keep an account for deductibles and other expenses.

Worthy of a look at least even if they're not for everyone. This is NOT a "Use It or Lose It" account that some people think it is.

rplowden

For those with the Regular Plan and kids, how much do regular well visits run if paying out of pocket? What about vaccinations? We're done having kids and our youngest just turned 2, so I know I still have some vaccinations coming.