How to Utilize Your Care

Retiree Health Savings Plan (HSP)

The GW Retiree Health Savings Plan (HSP) is designed to give you control over your healthcare dollars and save for your future.

 On the Retiree HSP:

• The GW Retiree HSP covers in- and out-of-network services (you’ll pay more for out-of-network providers)
• In-network preventive services and medications are covered at 100 percent.
• For all other services, you are responsible for paying the full cost of care until you reach the plan’s deductible. Then, you are responsible for a portion of the cost of care (your coinsurance) until you reach the plan’s out-of-pocket maximum.
• There is no need to designate a Primary Care Physician or to obtain specialist referrals.
   

Health Savings Account (HSA)

When you are covered by a high deductible health plan like the GW Retiree HSP, you may be eligible to participate in an HSA. An HSA helps you save and pay for healthcare expenses, including deductibles and coinsurance, in a tax-advantaged manner. If you do not currently have an HSA, many banks, brokerages or other financial institutions offer HSAs (fees may apply).
 

Save Money by Using Freestanding Facilities

Prices vary significantly for imaging and lab work – even if you go in-network.

Not only do prices vary, but if you participate in the GW Retiree HSP, you will pay a lower coinsurance when you use a freestanding network facility instead of a hospital for healthcare services or treatments that do not require an overnight hospital stay. A freestanding facility performs outpatient services and submits claims separately from any hospital affiliation. GW offers a preferred network* for labs, X-ray and major diagnostics. When you go to a preferred network freestanding facility for these services, you will pay 20 percent coinsurance under the GW Retiree HSP. If you go to a facility that is not in the preferred network, you will pay 40 percent coinsurance under the GW Retiree HSP. LabCorp and Quest Diagnostics will continue to be GW's preferred vendors for lab work.

When you do need outpatient lab tests and imaging, refer to the checklist below of what to ask.

For instructions on how to compare costs and locate a preferred provider for networks and labs view UHC's flier for freestanding facilities.

*In-network freestanding facilities and GW Hospital

When using outpatient lab tests and imaging, ask:

• Do you know the cost of the tests you are ordering?
• Is the provider or laboratory in my network?
• Since my share of the cost is less for services performed at a freestanding facility that is not connected to a hospital, can the test or service be performed at a freestanding facility?
• Can you recommend a freestanding facility in the UnitedHealthcare network?

Average costs of imaging and diagnostic services for the GW Retiree HSP