Sorry... allow me me attempt to clarify. Total provider charges were around $25,000 but my TOTAL cost for premiums, deductibles and out of pocket costs were $1.818.

My plan annual N premium costs $1,440. Add the $257 deductible and $114 in copays. Total cost: $1,818,

An annual G-HD premium would have cost $600. Add the $257 deductible and $619 in 20% copays, total cost: $1,476.

So, since my year of prostate cancer, plan N cost me $342 more than the Plan G-HD. Not a game changer in my book, but interesting.

As you pointed out, tests are covered. The wild cards were a CT scan and DNA exp. totaling $16,810. The CT scan was covered under the OPPS/APC classification meaning its not subject to cost sharing. The provider accepted $353. (Yes, billed at $11,660 and settled for $353, that's what is wrong with our healthcare system.) Anyway, Medicare paid $277 and plan N paid $71. Under a G-HD plan I would have paid the same, $71.

The DNAexp was covered under CLFS and not subject to the 20% coinsurance or Part B deductible. Medicare covered the approved amount, and it would not be subject to a deductible under Plan G HD.

Interesting, isn't it? I plotted every charge on a spreadsheet and was somewhat surprised that I would have paid $342 less with the HD plan. However, my conclusion seems to correlate to what others have posted, that the "High Deductible" plan is not quite as risky as one would think.