2016 health plans

Yea, that's what we had this year (the bcbs bronze ppo, which was hsa compatible. The hmos offered exhibit these same features but with a much more limited network. In other words, if you like your doctor...plan on him/her not accepting this sh!tty hmo plan

Going through the same thing with BCBSTX. We're moving to Baylor Scott White Health Jan, 1st. They have the only individual PPO plan that I could find. So far they're much better to deal with than BCBSTX.

edit: All of our current doctors in Dallas accept this plan minus the pediatrician who is no great loss.

Why do you suggest it is shitty? The HMO is cheaper right? The service is different but part of it is to offer a cheaper plan to people that aren't concerned with where they go and just want more affordable insurance.

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The HMO is cheaper right?

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cheaper is not better when your doctors will not accept HMO patients

may not be better for you but for others who hardly ever go to the doctor and don't care who their doctor is, it is better.

Great point

@wasp, basically, just want to be able to purchase insurance like I have in the past, which is be given a menu of options for which I pick the appropriate plan based on my family's needs and budget constraints.

Whether or not the next door neighbor likes or can afford that plan is really none of my business or concern, but let's not make this a political chat.

To answer your first question, I assume it's sh!tty because of the networks listed on the various providers sites. The hmo is roughly the same price (3% cheaper) but will require us to find all new doctors (ob for the wife, pediatrician for the kids, etc.). Is this a huge deal? Probably not, and I'm sure we'll figure out a proper alternative because there's no sense dwelling on it. But again, I'm basically being told to cough up more money for less service (fewer docs to choose from and worse customer reviews on the docs).

My goal here was simply to see if anyone had beat me to a better solution than the hmo's I'm finding. I've gotten some good pointers here and appreciate the help. Sounds like many of us are in a similar situation.

Have you looked into any sharing ministries?

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@bestbank, I haven't looked into the sharing ministries simply because they make me nervous. As much as I believe in the private sector it sort of scares me to jump into an unregulated arena. Much of that hesitation could be borne out of ignorance, so please, if you've used them, share your experience. Have you had positive experience dealing with those folks?

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I joined one a year ago because it was more affordable than traditional insurance.

I haven't needed to use it for any medical bills so I would have to go on testimonials, but the sharing ministries are all well established. They're not allowed to exist if they weren't operating before 1999.

Theoretically the whole thing could be a scam, but the odds are very low that someone's been getting away with something that widespread for that long.