Kaiser HMO or Aetna PPO (Reston: insurance, deductible, live)

[edamron]

Hi All--

We moved to Reston and we need to choose a plan. Kaiser and Aetna seem good, but Aetna is super expensive.

Do you recommend one over the other? Will we be able to find good doctors in the area with Kaiser HMO?

Thank you in advance for any recommendations you may have,
-e

[VRE332]

Keiser is not a national plan, and it's spotty. It's in the midwest and isolated places. So therefore go with Aetna.

[Carlingtonian]

Aetna is more expensive because it's a PPO. I've heard nothing but bad stuff about Kaiser.

[san312]

Anthem is good, you can look for them, I had them and there service is good plan rate are reasonable, I recently applied again for them after moving from my Group plan there are rate are in range of $350-$600 depends on co-insurance and deductible for family of 4. You dont have to pay for wellness visit for kids (as per requirement) and adults (1 per year).

[gammann]

Kaiser is in this area, and it looks like they have a facility in Reston. Since it's an HMO, you will have to go to their facility. Even if you need a referral to a specialist, you will need to see them first. With your PPO plan, you can choose any doctor you want, in-network or out-of-network.

Use Kaiser's site to look for Drs now, https://healthy.kaiserpermanente.org/

I assume the Kaiser premiums are cheaper than your PPO premiums, because they have better control over the costs.

I know people who have used Kaiser and are happy. I think if you live near of of their facilities, it's probably not bad, depending on your family's health.

You probably really need to compare the plan details though. This can be a pain, as not everything is apples to apples. Cheaper premiums could mean a higher deductible, or more money out of pocket.

[oneasterisk]

I dislike HMOs because you're limited to where you can go. Also I don't like to have to ask for a referral just so I can see another doctor.

I have an AETNA HDHP plan and it works out in my case. I'm young and barely go to the doctor. I pay around $90 a month, but they fund an HSA at $62.50 a month. So $750 a year and I get to keep the money in the HSA if I change health plans. They way I look at it, I only pay $30 a month since the HSA money stays mine after I leave. With most health plans you end up with nothing after you leave them.

[arabellava]

We had aetna and fortunately their in network plan had all of our docs so we stick to this- plus they have better ppo coverage than our current United healthcare PPO (choice)- hmo is sticky for what i hear..

[gammann]

Originally Posted by oneasterisk

I dislike HMOs because you're limited to where you can go. Also I don't like to have to ask for a referral just so I can see another doctor.

I have an AETNA HDHP plan and it works out in my case. I'm young and barely go to the doctor. I pay around $90 a month, but they fund an HSA at $62.50 a month. So $750 a year and I get to keep the money in the HSA if I change health plans. They way I look at it, I only pay $30 a month since the HSA money stays mine after I leave. With most health plans you end up with nothing after you leave them.

If you can afford it, I would max out the HSA. Usually once you get a certain amount in the HSA you can invest it. This can basically be another retirement vehicle for you, albiet only for medical expenses.

[LetsRock]

We love our Kaiser plan. Easy to get to see doctors and the facilities are clean. No sitting in an emergency room with a bunch of people with no insurance waiting for treatment.

[sullyguy]

We have a PPO (BCBS) and would not look back - it for sure is more expensive than an HMO but we can and do go to any doctors for any reason whenever we want (there IS some sort of maximum cost per year which we've never hit).

No referrals needed, no "can't choose the doc you want".