Originally Posted by RgrMurdock

Thanks for the feedback all. Anyone know how the diamond plans works if you also elect some FSA funds as well?

Originally Posted by Gjn290

You have to deplete the HRA before you can spend the funds you put in your FSA.

Originally Posted by PrattFan

Seriously...you don’t think I’ve run the numbers...every year? I shouldn’t have to explain it, but I will so you guys will stop making your claims.

It’s not that hard actually, prescription drugs.


B plan

Per paycheck premiums $353.85 x 24= $8,492.40 + $750 deductible= $9,242.40 max health care costs annually (100% pre tax money with FSA covering the deductible).



Diamond plan

Per paycheck premiums $154.94 x 24= $3,718.56 + $7,000 max out of pocket= $10,718.56 max health care costs annually.
In reality, it would effectively be $12,168.56 since only $6,368.56 (premiums + 2018 FSA limit of $2,650) of total would be with pre-tax money, the remaining $4,350 after tax money would require $5,800 in earnings at the 25% tax bracket.

Here’s the part you guys miss. The $3,000/year company funded account can not be used on prescription drugs. The Diamond plan non-formulary brand prescription drugs (tier 4 drugs) have a 50% copay (min $50/no max) until you reach your max out of pocket. Even brand drugs are 25% copay (min $25/max $300).

When you have a loved one who has a prescription drug need anywhere from $5,000-$15,000 monthly, you could easily reach the max out of pocket ($7,000) in February, all self funded, and haven’t seen a doctor or been to a hospital yet. Meanwhile, the company’s money sits unused because the out of pocket max was reached, and the plan pays the rest. So what, it rolls over, you say? Sure, same thing happens next year, and the next year, and the next.

You guys think in terms of healthy vs. catastrophic. High costs don’t just come from catastrophic events, they also come from expensive drugs associated with chronic illnesses. I’m not alone, I know of pilots and/or their loved ones with MS, cancer, genetic diseases, etc. who are in the same boat on prescription drug costs that make the Diamond plan cost prohibitive. What’s sad, it’s allowable for Spirit’s money to cover drugs, they choose not to allow it. R&I is skeptical that will ever change, but should it, I’ll be on the Diamond plan right along with you. Although, if you know you’ll hit the max out of pocket I’d argue the cost differences would be negligible.


If you are curious what was wrong in the union’s cost analysis? They showed the annual cost for the B plan including the $3,000 max out of pocket. Where that’s misleading, the plan pays 100% after the $250/$750 deductible is met, except for mental healthcare. So unless you have mental healthcare needs, it’s really just the premiums plus the deductible annually, as I showed above, which is $2,250 less than what the union analysis reflected.

This is all a moot point, the B plan is closed to new entrants. So you guys get what you believed to be true, the Diamond plan is best for everybody. Well, except those of us that were on it.

Originally Posted by flyingpuma1

I had to go back and find this (its from May) but the math is still (about) the same. For me I will never go off the POS B until the force me.

Originally Posted by Flightcap

Interesting that this guy says the out of pocket max only applies to mental healthcare. Is that accurate?

Originally Posted by PrattFan

It’s accurate, but I’ll clarify my previous language a little. The plan pays 100% after the deductible is met, except for mental healthcare, that pays 90% after the deductible, assuming in-network. So while the plan language doesn’t say the max out of pocket doesn’t apply to non-mental healthcare, since they are paying 100% for in-network after the deductible that’s how it works out. So in a catastrophic year you wouldn’t need to meet the $1000/$3000 to get 100% paid by the insurance, rather just the $250/$750 deductibles.

Where the $1000/$3000 max out of pocket does come into play for non-mental healthcare costs, when you add up all your costs, deductible, office copays, emergency room copays and Rx copays, if those all add up to $1000 for one family member or $3000 for the family, in theory you should pay nothing for the remainder of the year. No more copays for office visits or Rx. I say in theory because I’ve never hit it, but have come close to the $1000 individual in various years.

I’ll reiterate, the Diamond plan is a great plan that most should be on. There are some very unique situations, like mine, that the plan B is better and I hope the others like me were on it when we signed the new CBA. For new people, or those who come into new situations that would have benefited from the plan B, it’s unfortunate you can’t get in it. At the end of the day the costs between the 2 plans is anywhere from $1200-$1700 different (excluding mental health related issues) and that number is getting smaller every year as the annual premium increases have a larger effect on the plan B’s higher premiums than on the lower premiums of the Diamond plan. I haven’t done the math on the out years, but eventually the plan B will become obsolete in nearly all situations, barring a very rare situation of course.

Originally Posted by flyingpuma1

I had to go back and find this (its from May) but the math is still (about) the same. For me I will never go off the POS B until the force me.

Originally Posted by dfwflyboy

I love the diamond plus. $18/paycheck and $1000 HRA company contribute every year. And it rolls over. Best medical insurance imo. Most I’d ever pay Out of pocket is $1500. (2500-1000 free HRA). So if I don’t use much. It’ll roll over. Already have several thousand. So I’m free. I could have millions in medical bills and not pay a penny