As I remember it the Mailhandlers plan was usually the most cost effective. Last few years of service I did not carry any as the plan at wife's work was even more cost effective. So I can not remember the prices.

But if you want to talk about low cost the local teacher's union has done themselves proud. I can't remember the exact cost but it is below $60 per MONTH for the teacher. And when they retire it continues, for life, but I am not sure they have to pay at that time.

Prior approvals by insurance providers is usually one of those things that are spelled out in the offering that nobody reads and only finds out well after the fact! But how much longer will that take when it is a Government board that is making the decision.

Quote Originally Posted by steelish View Post
Interesting. In the USPS, health care is a benefit for which employees are deducted a very insignificant amount in each biweekly paycheck (for individual coverage - family coverage is slightly higher, of course, just as it is with any employer-sponsored health care plan).

I've seen the "offerings" but declined coverage. I am a part-time employee and am not offered it as a benefit. I would have had to pay in full for it and found it was cheaper (and I received a better plan) by going with Humana. For three family members to have HMO coverage I pay just barely over $300.00 monthly. We can visit the doctor as often as needed,. Our copay for dr visits is only $10.00 per visit. Since we've been on that plan I've had two lumps removed from my left breast, skin cancer removed, my husband goes to the chiropractor regularly, and my son has regular visits to get his Adderal prescriptions for ADD. We've not had one single problem with our coverage.

On the other hand, a full-time co-worker of mine had to have knee replacement surgery recently. She's on one of the government run plans. She had to wait a month to receive approval from her insurance company so she could have it done. (She was injured ON THE JOB and THAT is the reason the knee replacement surgery was necessary)

Side note: Under my insurance plan, once the doctor(s) recommended knee replacement surgery all I would have had to do was set a date and show up.