The news is out. BCBS will be increasing their rates 22.9% This is less than last year’s increase of 24.3% but the dollars are still flying out while the quality of care keeps declining. http://blog.bcbsnc.com/…/premiums-rise-2018-affordable-car…/
We are recommending people look at their insurance plans and go to a higher deductible plan and become members of OneMD Direct. Typical savings switching to a bronze plan from a gold plan range $2000-$9000 a year. With that savings a OneMD membership of $900 a year makes a great combination.
Take a look at the most common plans from Blue Cross Blue Shield to see what you get from each:
| What’s included / fees per plan | GOLD | SILVER | BRONZE |
| Deductible in network | $1,500 | $5,000 | $7,150 |
| Deductible out of network | $6,000 | $20,000 | $28,600 |
| Family deductible in network (if applicable) | $3,000 | $10,000 | $14,300 |
| Family deductible out of network (if applicable) | $6,000 | $40,000 | $57,200 |
| Primary care co-pay in network | $5 | $10 | – |
| Primary care out of network | 40% | – | – |
| Urgent Care Co-pay | $30 | $40 | – |
| ER Visit After deductible | $500 | $600 | – |
| Rx deductible | $200 | $200 | – |
| Co-insurance in network | 10% | 30% | 0% |
| Co-insurance out of network | 40% | 60% | 30% |
Now look at what each plan would cost – the monthly premiums. These numbers came directly from the BCBS of NC website.
| Highest Gold Plan | Lowest Silver Plan | Lowest Bronze Plan | |
| 55 years old | $1,001 | $781 | $7,150 |
| Couple each 55 years old | $2,251 | $1,756 | $1,469 |
| 45 years old | $665 | $519 | $434 |
| Couple each 45 years old | $1,468 | $1,145 | $957 |
| 35 years old | $599 | $467 | $391 |
| Couple each 35 years old | $1,199 | $935 | $782 |
Look at what the Gold plan and the Bronze plan total up to annually and see the savings if you convert from a gold plan to a bronze plan.
| Annual for Gold Plan | Annual for Bronze Plan | Savings | |
| 55 years old | $12,012 | $7,944 | $4,068 |
| Couple each 55 years old | $27,012 | $17,628 | $9,384 |
| 45 years old | $7,980 | $5,208 | $2,772 |
| Couple each 45 years old | $17,616 | $11,484 | $6,132 |
| 35 years old | $7,188 | $4,692 | $2,496 |
| Couple each 35 years old | $14,388 | $9,384 | $4,004 |