Help me choose a health insurance.

[joe279]

My new job gave me a list of health insurances to choose from. As a hepatitis B patient, I know I have to pick the one that best meets my situation. I have never done this before so I need some help from those of you that might have more experience/knowledge than me.

Here's a list of health insurances my company provides:
http://www1.nyc.gov/site/olr/health/summaryofplans/health-sbc.page

I will be seeing my gastroenterologist twice a year and taking blood samples, ultrasound(once a year).
And of course, I will be taking Viread 300mg which costs like $1000 without insurance.

I make roughly 70k. So I hope I get the right health insurance that meets what I am looking for and that matches my income.

Thanks in advance.

[chihep]

You should make sure your physician and specialist (if you have doctors prefered) are in the network of the plan. Most plans have different options depending on in or out network. If you choose out network physician you should pay more out of pocket (check the deductible). I have an employer-sponsored plan, pay monthly premium, copay for doctors visit, lab work and medication. I have had this plan before I was diagnosed hep b so no preexisting condition at that time. Now I take entecavir 1 mg, very much covered by insurance (~1500$ per month), but I was taking baraclude (brand entecavir)  for severel month ( out of pocket payment difference was 1:5=entecavir:baraclude at that time but the ratio changed to 1:70). That is why I am taking entecavir even though I would prefer baraclude. It is better to look carefully the medication option because we are dependent on antiviral.

[mer971]

Also, I heard that changes are done for upcoming year, so see what they cover, and choose which best fits to you

[mer971]

It's up to you, I have health first, and I didn't pay anything, for blood test, ultrasound, no medication treatment

[joe279]

Here are the rates
Individual
Insurance Carriers Code Rate Code Rate
AETNA/US HEALTHCARE EPO F1 $73.57
*** (OPTIONAL RIDER) F6 $181.12

CIGNA HEALTH CARE B1 $278.79

*** (OPTIONAL RIDER) B6 $382.36
DC-37 MED-TEAM/CHOICE 4A $0.00

EMPIRE EPO 6H $257.49
EMPIRE HMO NEW YORK B1 $98.90

GHI-CBP (BASIC) 1A $0.00

* (OPTIONAL RIDER) KA $2.95
GHI HMO W6 $  49.45

*** (OPTIONAL RIDER)           X6 $139.38

HIP PRIME-HMO (BASIC) 11 $0.00

HIP PRIME-HMO
** (OPTIONAL RIDER) 31 $2.63


HIP Prime POS 6M $302.75

*** (OPTIONAL RIDER) 6N $545.63