Overview
Medical insurance can protect you from paying the full cost of medical services. Your choice of a medical plan should be carefully considered based on your anticipated needs. For 2024, Bedford City School District offers eligible employees three different medical plans. All three plans include the same national PPO network, Cigna Open Access Plus:
- Base Plan: $600 Deductible ($1,200 for family)
- Buy-Up Plan: $300 Deductible ($600 for family)
- H.S.A. Plan: $4,000 Deductible ($8,000 for family)
Which Plan Should I Choose?
The differences between the three medical plan options are the per-pay cost and the annual deductible.
Base Plan: $600 Deductible with Cigna's Open Access Plus network
This medical plan option offers a low annual deductible and reasonable per-pay costs. Families with frequent care needs and known chronic conditions sometimes choose a lower deductible plan to limit their out-of-pocket costs. At the same time, this plan has per-pay costs that are lower than the Buy-Up Plan but higher than the H.S.A. option. Employees who enroll in the Base Plan are not eligible for a Health Savings Account (HSA).
Buy-Up Plan: $300 Deductible with Cigna's Open Access Plus network
This medical plan option offers a very low annual deductible but higher per-pay costs than the Base Plan option. Families with frequent care needs and known chronic conditions sometimes choose a lower deductible plan to limit their out-of-pocket costs. Employees who enroll in the Base Plan are not eligible for a Health Savings Account (HSA).
HSA Plan: $4,000 Deductible Plan with Cigna's Open Access Plus network
This medical plan option offers the lowest per-pay costs of Bedford City Schools' three medical plan options but also the highest annual deductible. Those who are comfortable paying the first $4,000 in medical expenses ($8,000 per family) each year sometimes choose a higher deductible plan to save on their per-pay insurance premium. Employees who enroll in the $4,000 Deductible plan are also eligible for a Health Savings Account (HSA).
Do I Have to Choose a PPO Network?
No, you do not need to choose a PPO network. All three medical plan options use the same PPO network, Cigna's Open Access Plus (OAP). This network includes all of our area's major healthcare systems and a nationwide selection of Cigna providers.