Check for Changes

As the Open Season begins to wind down, you may have heard a bit about changes in the FEHB's most popular plan: Blue Cross/Blue Shield's standard option.

If you're a member of the plan, you should know by now what those changes are. You may decide the plan is acceptable and want to stay with it. You may decide to see if there might be a better deal for you somewhere else.

Either way, it proves the point you need to check for changes to your plan, no matter what plan you're in.

How's that again?

According to the NIH, " that twenty-two million American adults between the ages of twenty and sixty-nine have permanent hearing damage from exposure to loud sounds, and thirty million are at risk." If you fall into one of those groups, you may want to consider a plan that covers both tests and hearing aids. The American Postal Workers (APWU) Health Plan, for example, has a new benefit for 2009 which covers both. Of course, talk with your doctor about your needs and check the plan you're in to see if your hearing needs will be met.

Just Do One Thing

Is your internist awesome? Your podiatrist perfect? Your gastroenterologist great?

Then if you do nothing else this Open Season, do one thing: call your physician's office and make sure they'll be staying in your plan next season.

It's common sense: you might not be as happy with your plan if your favorite doctors aren't participating next year.

Singlicious

Singles can save $1,000 or more next year by picking the best plan for them.

Walton Francis, editor of CHECKBOOK's Guide to Federal Health Plans, says his rating system takes into account the premium you will pay next year in each plan, plus your likely total costs (premiums and out of pocket expenses to you) for people with few expenses, heavy expenses or average expenses.

Most importantly, a single federal or postal worker under age 55 has a 5 percent chance next year of having medical costs of $25,000 or more. But between 55 and 64 the odds jump to 30 percent. Big difference! Be sure to check the catastrophic coverage of the health plan you are considering.

Mirror, Mirror

Thinking about having some cosmetic surgery?

Walton Francis, editor of CHECKBOOK's Guide to Federal Health Plans, says don't expect your health plan to pick up the tab, but there are two exceptions to that.

If you need to have it after an accident or after some other surgery, you'll probably be covered.

For example, says Francis, reconstruction after breast cancer surgery is covered by most plans.

If you're not sure if you'll be covered, check with your individual plan.

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