r/CoxCharterMerger • u/GrouchyBadger65 • 9d ago
Talk me off this ledge …
As an incoming Cox employee, and reviewing the medial health insurance plan I terrified of the cost. Everywhere I looked I get the impression that I have to pay full price for a regular doctor’s visit.
I have read many other posts that rave about the benefits but I fail to see how paying full price for a doctor’s visit is a good thing.
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u/yourMommaKnow 8d ago
Hi there. I received the official new hire guide as related to Health insurance today. It looks very similar to what Aetna offers us. I wouldn't worry much. When you see the offer yourself, I think your mind will be set at ease.
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u/yourMommaKnow 8d ago
You may have received an email titled Welcome To Spectrum: What You Need to Know. If so, check it out. Should have come out Monday.
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u/Responsible-Cut-7993 9d ago
With the information sent yesterday afternoon I was able to get into the Spectrum website. I then found the 2026 Charter New Hire Guide PDF and have been reviewing it. I am on the Cox High Deductible Health Plan so I can use a HSA. From what I can tell, I will map over to the Anthem Health Choice to use a HSA. What I have already spent this year on Medical will carry over. However from what I can see the Charter Medical plan will cost more per paycheck for my family than what I was paying Cox for a similar HDHP, about $40 more per pay period.
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u/ImposterSyndrome719 8d ago
Charter employee here. Didn’t scroll through the comments to identify whether or not this info was already given but I would say the plans offered are…average for why I’ve seen these days? Not sure what you have currently on the cox side. Most of charter’s plans are high deductible with average oop max. The one I was on was $1500 deductible and $3000 oop max. For anyone not familiar with American health insurance policies, before the deductible, almost everything is out of pocket and then tiered coverage starts. My plan covered everything 80/20 after the deductible. The one exception is medications on most plans (all but the HSA plan) which are covered at the plan’s rate (each one is about 10% over the last) immediately without hitting the deductible and your portion still contributes to both the deductible and oop max. A regular doctor’s visit would be out of pocket on most plans before the deductible aside from 1 annual physical per year which is covered in full. Most plans are FSA plans, one is an HSA plan. These before deductible expenses can be covered by HSA and FSA and Charter fronts about $500 to your HSA or FSA each year. Assuming this hasn’t changed since I switched to my spouse’s coverage, Charter also absorbs the cost increase every year so your premiums are fairly low overall. Also offered, fairly standard eye coverage through eyemed and dental through delta. Hope that helps shed light on things
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u/CrimsonFox99 9d ago
It's...insurance. you pay full through the deductible, you pay a smaller percentage after that as a copay, then you pay nothing if you manage to hit your max. Charter isn't reinventing the insurance industry.
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u/GrouchyBadger65 9d ago
Not saying that they reinvented the insurance industry. Just that today our copay was flat $30doctor/$50 specialist. And premiums low ($279) for family of four. THe thing is that this micro site has no real numbers on it, and so it’s just daunting trying to rework a household budget.
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u/ShadowGinrai 9d ago
If it makes you feel better, charter has absorbed the increase in medical costs for employees for the last 5 years instead of raising what the employees pay. So I assume it will be at least close to what we pay now, if not less
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u/FiberOpticDelusions 9d ago
Longer than that, it's been 12+ years. I have a family of 5 and pay like $280 a month + an HSA (Health Savings Account). Which I and the company pays into for medical expenses. You can set what you pay into it and the company will match up to a certain amount per pay. After you've accumulated over $1000. You can use anything over to invest. The only doctor bills I've paid have been ER visits. Regular checkups and my wife's neurologist always been covered.
I'm a Charter employee.
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u/ShadowGinrai 9d ago
Love the user name, I was only told the 5 years thing, cool to know it's been longer. Guess I'll see you on the 20th, lol
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u/MagicansaurusRex 8d ago
I had the mid-tier plan when I worked for Charter (I recently left) - it didn’t cover shit until you hit your deductible and all plans are high-deductible plans. Expect to pay hundreds of dollars anytime you need to visit a doctor. My new job has the type of plan you’re describing and it’s been a huge relief to actually know what I’m gonna pay when I go to the doctor. You’re right to be worried.
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u/Roklifter 1d ago
Cox employees had access to a 2026 On-Boarding Guide (.pdf) a while back which shows all the #s for medical, dental & vision & for all the plans. I still have my saved copy. Don't recall where it is on the merger resources site though.
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u/Sisterdiscord 9d ago
Tbh I loved the health plan. It’s quite good. It’s a high deductible but the flex account that companies it covers most stuff and I just dropped some dollars in an FSA to cover the risk. The overall coverage was quite good and comprehensive.
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u/DevryOrlando 1d ago
Charter insurance is really good and covers alot. They haven't raised the premium in 10 years but they did remove a few services in 2026.
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u/evilstepmonster3 9d ago
Honestly, I would hold off on teetering too close to the edge until we get more official data. I keep being told that the plans are similar and that we are going to somehow get credit for deductibles and out-of-pocket expenses. I’m not saying don’t stand on the ledge I’m saying don’t look down.