Cost
Once you understand the general shape of your plan—HMO, PPO, or Indemnity Plan—the monthly premium is the next thing to consider. Because it is such a convenient yardstick, the premium is also the most likely source of surprise, both pleasant and not, and individual experience with the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) plan can vary widely. Here's why:
- Some people are in group plans, either through their
partner's plan, or through their congregation if it is part of some larger
business group or can buy its own policy; some are on a COBRA continuation.
Group plans can average costs over a very large base, an entirely differently
different situation from ours, where we are still establishing our pool and are
just beginning to understand our members. When people in a group plan look at
the UUA plan rates, some will find our rates to be much higher, some much lower,
some about the same. In any case, you will be looking at the real cost of
healthcare for someone of your age living in your zip code.
- Other people are already in "non-group" plans, the plans that are most often available to individuals who cannot get coverage through their employer. These individual plans generally use age and geography to match the premium to the individual. People in non-group plans will generally find the UUA plan to be quite competitive, with most rate differences based on the benefit design.
Remember that when you compare rates, it's important to compare premiums for the same year. The rates published for the UUA health plan will be in effect for all of 2008. Other plans with premiums current for 2007 will likely raise their 2008 premiums by 10% to 12%, based on recent history and current industry projections.
You can check your 2008 cost here.
For more information contact healthinsurance @ uua.org.
Last updated on Friday, April 18, 2008.
