Aetna, California
MC Value Plan 5000

Vimo Editorial: Health Plan Profile

Aetna of California has three MC Value plans, with $1500, $2500 and $5000 deductibles. If you compare these MC Value plans with the standard MC Plans with the same deductibles, you'll notice the Value versions have higher out-of-pocket expenses, along with more "value" in terms of lower premiums.

For the MC 5000, the deductible for brand name drugs is higher than the standard MC Plans and office visits are subject to the deductible. So, like most value plans on the market, you won't feel any benefit until you've burned through the deductible. Of the three, the MC Value Plan 5000 has the lowest premiums – but it also has additional limits beyond its much higher $5,000 deductible. While the other plans make you pay a 25 percent coinsurance charge, this one charges 30 percent, with a coinsurance maximum of $7,500 for in-network services.

BEST FOR: Healthy young people looking for coverage of medical emergencies.

PROS: The rock-bottom premiums. Another big pro is Aetna itself. Aetna's nationwide network includes more than 684,000 health care professionals, including over 405,000 primary care and specialist doctors and 4,135 hospitals.

CONS: The higher out-of-pocket maximum means you will spend a huge sum before covered services are paid completely by the insurance company. There is also no maternity coverage.