Health Insurance for settled and retirees update

I was under the wrong impression that the three existing plans (1 Blue Cross and 2 Fallon, Select & Direct) were being replaced by plans from the same carriers.   The main differences are the new plans have deductibles and tiering of hospitals.   After reviewing his options we decided to go with Blue Cross mainly due to the fact the Boston Hospitals are in the network, while you need to go through Fallon's Peace of Mind program to gain access to the Boston Hospitals.

Although the annual difference in billed premiums was $3,760.44, the difference to my friend was only $760.08 since the City of Worcester does flat percentage not flat dollar.  To save only $760.08, it was not worth it to him.  If it had been $3,760.44 then he may have in fact switched to Fallon.

The other day he came back to me and told me that he can still choose the current plans...   We then looked at either a) keeping the current Blue Cross Plan or b) switching to the new Blue Cross Plan with deductibles and tiering.  Although the difference in annual billed premiums is $3,180.36, the difference to him is only $795.12.

Current plan has no deductible.  He figures between his family of 4, one MRI would cost him the $250 deductible and another $450 if done at a hospital with the new plan, while the current plan would cost 0.   That is $700 right there.

Bottom line he is keeping the same plan that will cost the City of Worcester $1438.14 per month (1917.52 billed less employee deduction of 479.39).      The total monthly premium for the new Fallon deductible plan with the Select Network is $1,339.12.