Some medical coverage questions for UC/LLNL and LLNS retirees living outside of CA
For those of you that are pre-65 and post-65 UC/LLNL and LLNS retirees that now live outside of CA, I have some CA Kaiser vs out-of-state Anthem Blue Cross questions. From our 2023 medical coverage options chart, we can determine high level coverages and their maximum annual expenses based on specific plan deductibles and max out-of-pocket costs.
I am looking for typical GRANULAR expenses (non-emergency Doctor visit, X-Rays, lab tests, etc) that a retiree has experienced over a year(s) to determine the likelihood of hitting the annual deductible and maximum out-of-pocket costs EVERY year from out-of-state Blue Cross, in order to compare those costs with CA Kaiser. I know everyone’s state of health is different, and I am not requesting details on anyone’s private medical health issues. Unfortunately, our Empyrean point of contact does not have granular cost information, and added such costs could be determined after one signs up to become a member in one of the multiple Blue Cross coverage options available to LLNS retirees. Thank You in advance.
5 comments:
I received a 2023 LLNS Open Enrollment package for pre-65 medical monthly contributions that included a chart with 6 columns. One column for Kaiser, and 5 columns for Anthem Blue Blue Cross “Plus”, “PPO”, “Core Value”, “HDHP”, and “EPO”. The charts cover deductibles, with incomplete reference examples as to what services may *cost to reach said deductible, co-pay, and maximum out-of-pocket per year per person.
The only attempt at granular *cost information I found is, “Peg is having a baby”, “Managing Joe’s Type 2 diabetes”, and “Mia’s simple fracture”. The health care costs for the 3 examples included total cost, deductibles, prescription drugs, equipment, diagnostics, etc. and the resulting total payment due for Peg, Joe, and Mia. specific to their care. The top page leading to these 3 examples states, LLNS HDHP Core Plan, Contract Codes 56Q and 56AR, Coverage for Individual + Family, Plan Type PPO.
From the 2023 LLNS Open Enrollment paperwork I received, none of the 4 other Blue Cross options included granular detail as provided for the HDHP plan mentioned here.
Thinking back, I don’t recall ever receiving that information in years prior either. Either someone dropped the ball and didn’t complete examples for the other 4 Blue Cross Plans, or decided 1 of the 5 DIFFERENT Blue Cross options was enough(?), or this task fell into a crack when or after the transition from LLNS Benefits point of contact to the Empyrean point of contact occurred.
I see that Kaiser is also in Colorado and Georgia I wonder if you could retire in those states and keep Kaiser providing you are close enough to their clinic and hospital?
Interesting question as this was one of the reasons why I came to the lab talking to neighbors who retired with lab healthcare and a retirement. This was appealing looking at the future now it seems like it’s tomorrow instead of a lifetime away.
Can't answer about LLNL. I am a 16-year LANL retiree (retired one year after the LANS takeover). I have regular Medicare and a LANL (now Trinity) provided BC/BS National Medicare Supplement Plan. The supplement covers all Medicare deductibles and copays, so I never have any out-of-pocket costs for anything that Medicare covers. Also includes a prescription plan that doesn't require Medicare Part D. Pretty nice. Overall cost is not high.
Remember that the retiree medical plans are provided by LLNS or its subsequent contractor and there is no guarantee that the plans you see now will be there in the future.
When I moved out of California I was guaranteed of one thing - I was no longer in California.
“Remember that the retiree medical plans are provided by LLNS or its subsequent contractor and there is no guarantee that the plans you see now will be there in the future.”
I believe this topic seeks detailed comparative cost information among the existing 5 Blue Cross medial plans offered to retirees.
Yes, UC/LLNL retirees had a long and painful journey to bring their UC/LLNL-LLNS medical costs to a closure through the Court system. The UC/LLNL retiree medical benefits situation should serve as a clear reminder to comb through the terms for the next contract to manage LLNL, and suggest changes as best we can to the NNSA. Assume nothing.
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