Aetna, District of Columbia
PPO 40

Vimo Editorial: Health Plan Profile

Aetna 's PPO 40 may have rock-bottom premiums, but it also has moderately high co-pays and a very high deductible. Individuals would also pay a very high out-of-pocket maximum (OOPM) before the plan would pay for 100 percent of benefits – while families would pay an OOPM twice as high.

The PPO 40 is a brother to Aetna's other Advantage Plans – the PPO 20, 25 and 30 plans -- which offer the same benefits but have smaller deductibles and OOPMs. These plans were built especially for individuals, families and the self employed. They also work with Aetna 's excellent online tools to manage your healthcare. Because you're joining a preferred provider organization (PPO), the Advtange Plans enable you to visit doctors outside of the Aetna network, although you'll pay a larger share of the costs if you do so.

BEST FOR: Healthy people who want to keep their premiums low but want insurance to cover them in the event of a calamity. This is not the plan for someone who expects to visit the doctor often. If you're a recent college grad with no health problems, this plan may be for you.

PROS: The low, low price and Aetna 's excellent online tools.

CONS: The sky high deductible means you won't see much benefit from this plan until you have spent thousands of dollars. Again, this plan is to cover you in the event of a serious health problem.