Ron, I’m not really referring to “Jones’” plan.  I’m talking about the plan in general compared to going out get bene’s on your own.  I’m also talking in general about large company health care plans in general.  it’s very difficult to compete with your employer on healthcare, all things considered.  I’ve seen friends in other businesses make big mistakes on healthcare because they were trying to save $5/mo. on premiums (exaggeration).  But it does end up coming back to bite them when, OOPS!, I found out they don’t cover prescripts and I was just diagnosed with XYZ, or my wife was, or my kid, or whatever.  Or they find out it doesn’t cover some major medical procedure, or it doesn’t cover hospital care, or the premiums were great, but the deductible is 10K, or it covers a lot, but none of my doctors even participate (that was my friends problem).

  My point is, when trying to go out on your own, you HAVE TO compare all things in the plan.  In some cases (young, healthy, single) maybe you CAN do better.    No, Jones' plan is not the richest plan out there, but it is very comprehensive.  But I have come to the conclusion that the days of nearly-free healthcare is gone (unless you have an employer that's going to cough up 100% of the premium on an HMO/PPO with no deductible).  With the exception of a few F500 companies that I am familiar with, I don't know of many people that rave about how inexpensive and comprehensive their plan is.     

B24–

  In a previous post I said that in many Western states it was quite easy to find better coverage (line for line, feature for feature, dime for dime) compared to the group plan offered at Jones.  During the time that I was there, their insurance was offered through United Healthcare.  United Healthcare had exactly zero, and I do mean zero, presence in many markets out West.  No provider networks, no negotiated discounts on scrips or procedures, no customer services--nothing.  I know it has changed since then with the use of Blue Shield of Illinois, but remember that every market is different.  I'm sure you know your market, but I'm also pretty sure that you don't know mine.  The coverage might be great in Pennsylvania, but trust me, it sucks in Wyoming (or Utah, Montana, Idaho, Nevada....). 

At this point my family is not on a single medication. At my last job my health insurance was paid for me, but I had to buy it for my family. It cost me about $400 a month with a $1,000 deductible PER PERSON, plus it had caps. If I’m reading the Jones plan right there are no caps to coverage once the deductible has been met. Since it’s $5950 for families that’s a $1950 increase in our total deductible for insurance that is about half the price, doesn’t have a copay on wellness visits, immune shots…and so on. I’m ok with the Jones plan even if I’m not thrilled about the huge increase in deductible a month after I join.

  We just had a baby a month before I moved to EDJ and I just got all the medical bills in. I'm having to pay a total of about $3000 out of pocket. I feel like we got screwed on the expenses because everything was in network, it was a natural birth and we were in and out of the hospital very quickly. With the Jones plan I know exactly what I will have to pay, and the money is already in the HSA.

River_King, you are right in your assumptions about the plan.  My son had surgery this year and it was like 45K.  My total out of pocket for the year for my family was my deductible (5K) plus my premiums (like $180/mo. - I am currently still subsidized).  Even now, we have some expensive scripts that are paid for 100%, no co-pay.

  Sooth - you may be right there.  I have no idea how the coverage translates in other markets.  In my area, we did not have to change a single providor when I went from another providor at my last job to UHC.  I have not heard that complaint from others, but does not mean it's not an issue.  However, I have to believe that there has to be coverage in all the areas that Jones has a presence.  Otherwise I imagine I would see screaming all over Joneslink about it.