Just did a once-over on the docs for 2011 enrollment that came in the
mail, and a provider lookup.
Looks like my premiums are about the same as for 2010.
Might be $150 a year more if I remember what I'm paying now right.
Obvious differences a
My HMO was dropped and replaced with a PPO.
No visit co-pay or cost for preventative care, saving me $50.
Yearly $500 deductible per person added.
Looks like the drug plan doesn't pay as much, but I'm not sure.
Didn't see my last GP on the provider list.
I don't care about him, since I only saw him once after my long-term GP
left that clinic.
Followed that doc when the clinic moved a few miles further but now I'll
find a closer one, since this PPO has many more providers than the HMO.

What's the same is wife's OBY/GYN is on the provider list, and so is the
hospital I like, and which I'll make sure my new GP will be associated with.

What's better is no referral needed to see a specialist.
No lifetime or yearly coverage limit.
But a specialist will probably hit my deductible now.

We normally only see the docs for yearly checkups and don't use drugs so
if that continues there's no real cost increase.
If one of us maxes a deductible it's a 10% increase in my cost.
If both do it that's a 20% increase.

Looks like "Obamacare" caused my employer (large multi-national) to
squeeze out the HMO and probably keep the PPO price in check.
Figures, since they're paying 50% and have negotiating clout.
The PPO was a bit cheaper - maybe 10% my cost - than the HMO in 2010,
and looks to cost about the same now. But the law specifies no dollar
coverage limits now, and includes children to age 26, no pre-existing
for children, etc.
This is all from a once over and I can't see all details until I enroll
on-line on the 18th.

I expect the cost trend to stabilize, then begin to decline, since the
insurance and med industries are catching heat.
Looks like Obama/Reid/Pelosi is doing to them what Reagan did to PATCO.
As the sainted Ronald Reagan put it, PATCO was a ""peril to national
safety." The same warning has been laid down for the med/insurance
industries. Obama has filled Reagan's shoes and then some.
Lot harder to bust the insurance/med industries than a union.
Good.
They'll find out you can't squeeze blood from turnips.
Otherwise they'll be replaced by foreign scabs willing to work for less.

Jim - hehe.