How is GEHA HDHP not a scam? What's the catch?

So the formatting below isn't perfect and it's possible I may have made a small calculation error here or there because I'm running low on time to do it and wanted a rough estimate. I basically decided to go through all the coverages and found estimates for care costs in my area to calculate what it would cost taking into account the average plan allowance/out-of-pocket cost. Based on these arbitrary estimates of how often I may use these services per year across BCBS Basic and the GEHA plans, I'm coming out saving $1,000 on GEHA HDHP switching from BCBS. Granted I need to verify my prescription costs and that providers are in network, but how is that possible? How are they paying this much of your costs (like 5% coinsurance on top of giving you the HSA amount? It just seems too good to be true. Is their customer service bad? Do they make you jump through hoops to get things covered? What's the catch?

**BCBS TOTAL COSTS:**

* 4 PRIMARY CARE VISITS (4X $35 = $140) * 9 SPECIALISTS VISITS (9X $45 = $405) * 1 ER VISIT ($250) * 2 URGENT CARE VISITS (2X 35 = $70) * ADVANCED URGENT CARE VISIT ($250) * INPATIENT SURGERY TOTAL COST FOR 3 DAYS: ($1700) * SIMPLE LABS, X-RAY, ETC: ($54) * COMPLICATED LABS, X-RAY, ETC (EG BRAIN MRI BEFORE/AFTER CONTRAST): ($100) * ANNUAL PREMIUMS: 2489.24 * DEDUCTIBLE: 0

**TOTAL: 5458.24**

**GEHA HIGH TOTAL COSTS:**

* 4 PRIMARY CARE VISITS (4X $20 = $80) * 9 SPECIALISTS VISITS (9X $20 = $180) * 1 ER VISIT ($500) * 2 URGENT CARE VISITS (70) * ADVANCED URGENT CARE VISIT ($0) * INPATIENT SURGERY TOTAL COST FOR 3 DAYS: ($1545.70) * SIMPLE LABS, X-RAY, ETC: ($0) * COMPLICATED LABS, X-RAY, ETC (EG BRAIN MRI BEFORE/AFTER CONTRAST): ($45.7) * ANNUAL PREMIUMS: 2824.9 * DEDUCTIBLE: 350

**TOTAL: 5596.30**

**GEHA STANDARD TOTAL COSTS:**

* 4 PRIMARY CARE VISITS (4X $20 = $80) * 9 SPECIALISTS VISITS (9X $20 = $315) * 1 ER VISIT ($750) * 2 URGENT CARE VISITS (70) * ADVANCED URGENT CARE VISIT ($37.7) * INPATIENT SURGERY TOTAL COST FOR 3 DAYS: ($4059) * SIMPLE LABS, X-RAY, ETC: ($54) * COMPLICATED LABS, X-RAY, ETC (EG BRAIN MRI BEFORE/AFTER CONTRAST): ($250) * ANNUAL PREMIUMS: 1823.9 * DEDUCTIBLE: 350

**TOTAL: 7789.60**

**GEHA HDHP TOTAL COSTS:**

* 4 PRIMARY CARE VISITS (77.6) * 9 SPECIALISTS VISITS (207) * 1 ER VISIT ($250) * 2 URGENT CARE VISITS (16.5) * ADVANCED URGENT CARE VISIT ($12.5) * INPATIENT SURGERY TOTAL COST FOR 3 DAYS: ($1352.35) * SIMPLE LABS, X-RAY, ETC: ($18) * COMPLICATED LABS, X-RAY, ETC (EG BRAIN MRI BEFORE/AFTER CONTRAST): ($22.8) * ANNUAL PREMIUMS: 1857.7 * DEDUCTIBLE: 600

**TOTAL: 4414.45**

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>**Edit**: Based on another comment I ran the numbers again using data from [fairhealthconsumer.org](https://fairhealthconsumer.org). This is an estimation of the out-of-pocket costs for a gallbladder removal surgery based on my area and based on it being in network. I may have made some mistakes here or there and feel free to point them out. This is tedious and your eyes run together after a certain point. Healthcare companies and organizations also keep things confusing and obscure for a reason, so I used my best guess on a few charges. These may be filed elsewhere which would slightly change costs, but I did my best to be accurate. I also imputed doctor costs and admission costs based on the little available research. **Based on these numbers, I believe that BCBS Basic and GEHA HDHP are both competitive plans for large costs like a surgery, but it's worth running your own numbers.**

**RESECTION OF GALLBLADDER, OPEN APPROACH ICD-10 CODE 0FT40ZZ**

**Out of Pocket vs. Avg In Network**

**Semi-Private (two beds) - Medical/Surgical/Gyn (3 days at $6,992/day)**

Uninsured: $20,976

Avg Plan Allowance: $5,112

* GEHA High: 10% = 511.20 * GEHA Standard: 15% = 766.80 * GEHA HDHP: 5% = 255.60 * BCBS Basic: 0

**Recovery Room (1 day at $1,263/day) - Not sure if this goes under Inpatient Admission Cost or Room and Board. Placing under Room and Board.**

Uninsured: $1,263

Avg Plan Allowance: $515

* GEHA High: 10% = 51.5 * GEHA Standard: 15% = 77.25 * GEHA HDHP: 5% = 25.75 * BCBS Basic: 0

**Pharmacy - This probably varies widely and I’m not sure if it goes through Pharmacy benefits or admission or other costs. For this example I will use the avg plan allowance for all.**

Uninsured: $14,211

Avg Plan Allowance: $3,242

**The next few devices and supplies I’m putting under other inpatient costs.**

**Medical/Surgical Supplies and Devices General:**

Uninsured: $4,975

Avg Plan Allowance: $1,228

* GEHA High: 10% = 122.80 * GEHA Standard: 15% = 184.20 * GEHA HDHP: 61.40 * BCBS Basic: 0

**Medical/Surgical Supplies and Devices Non Sterile Supply:**

Uninsured: $365

Avg Plan Allowance: $184

* GEHA High: 18.40 * GEHA Standard: 27.60 * GEHA HDHP: 9.2 * BCBS Basic 0

**Medical/Surgical Supplies and Devices Sterile Supply:**

Uninsured: $14,985

Avg Plan Allowance: $4,290

* GEHA High: 42.90 * GEHA Standard: 643.50 * GEHA HDHP: 214.50 * BCBS Basic 0

**Laboratory General Classification (putting this under simple):**

Uninsured: $1,736

Avg Plan Allowance: $878

* GEHA High: 0 * GEHA Standard: 131.70 * GEHA HDHP: 43.90 * BCBS Basic: 131.70

**Laboratory Chemistry:**

Uninsured: $14,383

Avg Plan Allowance: $4,360

* GEHA High: 0 * GEHA Standard: 654 * GEHA HDHP: 218 * BCBS Basic: 654

**Laboratory Hematology:**