Same here on rates, even with Federal Employees. My (AETNA FFS)premiums went from $140 per 2 weeks (Jan 2012) to $190 (Sept 2012) to a whopping $315 per 2 weeks on 1/1/13, for a 225% total increase. Luckily, we have about 10 choices on coverage so I was able to choose a similar plan (BCBS FED)for $91 per pay period. This premium is up 50% from last year, too. I was able to add a Humana Dental plan for $28, and still come out paying less. I’m guessing that most Freepers don’t have the options we do, and ended up paying a lot more.
The plans are almost identical, except the new one has higher co-pays on meds. Newer, more expensive meds are covered 80/20 with no upper limit. They were a flat $65 on the old one.
BTW, not all of the increase was due to Obamacare. Our Union participated in this screwing big time. In an effort to cut costs, the Postal Service agreed to continue funding the union plans at the same rate. Union insurance plans are basic catastrophic health plans with high deductables.
The insurance plans offered by the USPS (HMO, PPO, POS, FFS) will be funded at lower rates, decreasing every year through 2015. That was the reason for the September increase last year, and we’ll have another increase on 9/13 and 9/14. Thank you APWU! (Don’t get me started on the Union. They are on my shit list right behind Barry, Harry, and Nancy.)
BTW, not all of the increase was due to Obamacare. Our Union participated in this screwing big time. In an effort to cut costs, the Postal Service agreed to continue funding the union plans at the same rate. Union insurance plans are basic catastrophic health plans with high deductables.
The insurance plans offered by the USPS (HMO, PPO, POS, FFS) will be funded at lower rates, decreasing every year through 2015. That was the reason for the September increase last year, and we’ll have another increase on 9/13 and 9/14. Thank you APWU! (Don’t get me started on the Union. They are on my shit list right behind Barry, Harry, and Nancy.)
I think you mean it’s a 125% increase ($140 to $315 is a $175 increase, which is 125% of $140.)
That’s bad enough, but it’s not 225%.