Fepblue BCBS Federal Employee - Standard or Basic ??

Lori A.
on 9/9/08 6:37 am - rosamond, CA

Hi,
This question is for anyone who has this insurance, FepBlue BCBS Ferderal Employee Insurance. Which option is better Standard or Basic?, I have the Benefit booklet plan, and it looks like there is no difference between the two when it comes to having the RNY. I have seen alot of people saying they had the Basic and it was covered, but what about the Standard? Please respond if you have had either Standard or Basic and let me know how it went with you. I have an HMO right now, that SUCKS!!!!, I hate having to answer to my Medical Group, So come December, I'm going to choose this insurance, I just want to make sure I pick the correct one. Again I have the Benefit Booklet and I know Its already covered, My question is Standard or Basic - which is better. Thanks

Josie C.
on 9/10/08 4:13 am - High Desert, CA

It depends on what you are looking for...yes, the plans do cover the same things; however, the difference is:

Basic - you have to go to their pre-approved doctors, must get referrals for any other doctor than your primary, and yes, use the labs and hospitals they have approved. Basically, pre-approval for everything.

Standard - you can select anyone, go anytime to any doctor, hospital or lab. (Still should get pre-approval for surgeries though...just so some of the cost is covered)

Clincher is that Standard will cost you more out of pocket expense for any treatment. It gets a little complicated...and very hard to explain in an post.

Hope this helps,

Are you sure this will work?

Lori A.
on 9/10/08 4:49 am - rosamond, CA

RNY on 10/27/08

Thanks for the info, I know it is complicated........thats why I though i would ask. I just want to make sure I pick the right one. I don't mind paying a little more to get the surgery without going thur all the referral crap. I have an HMO right now and they Approved the Consult, but Denied the Surgery. I have already seen the surgeon had the pre ops done, I did the psych eval, everything......and now the Medical group has denied me for the surgery..........its so stressful when you have a HMO, I'm in the process of appeal. My mother just had the surgery and she has a PPO and she called made her appt saw the surgeon, did the pro-ops and a month later she had the surgery. Thanks agin for all the info Lori

Josie C.
on 9/10/08 5:04 am - High Desert, CA

Just remember unless you go to a BCBS Center of Excellence for surgery the costs could surprise you. You still need to get approval for the surgery itself...and it is way easier. I had a deal with my surgeon before I had mine...knew what the cost was upfront...however, to my surprise what I paid didn't cover other things...like anesthesist, labs, and other things...got that worked out, but really would have like to know about it before I had surgery. So unless you have a nice pot of money to pick up the extra charges make sure you use the BCBS Center of Excellence...that way you know they will work within the system to get everything covered. They didn't have them when I had my surgery.

Fepblue BCBS Federal Employee - Standard or Basic ??

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Fepblue BCBS Federal Employee - Standard or Basic ??