Compare plans (Smart Choice)
Compare medical, dental, and vision with a household total. Dental OOP uses booklet class coinsurance and annual max—not invented typical dollars.
Smart Choice ranks plans using transparent inputs: premium contributions, estimated out-of-pocket from your visit sliders and big-ticket items, employer HSA or HRA contributions, and opt-out credits when applicable. An estimated household total banner adds the lowest-cost medical, dental, and vision options for the scenario you set.
Plan year
During overlapping open enrollment, a year switcher above Coverage / Compare / Select lets you review next year’s options without replacing this year’s elections. Chat and claims stay on the current-year plans until January 1. If a premium is missing from the guide, Compare shows Premium not specified instead of $0.
How estimates update
Primary care and specialist sliders change estimated OOP per visit, using copays on HMO-style plans or deductible plus coinsurance on high-deductible plans. Totals should move smoothly as you drag—not jump between a few usage buckets. Each plan card shows its own estimated total (premium + OOP − employer HSA). Dental and vision visit sliders use class coinsurance and the annual maximum from the extracted booklet (or the highlights you typed)—BenAsk does not invent a typical dentist fee.
Included in all plans
Programs your documents mark as included for everyone (for example telehealth or mental health) appear under Included in all plans, along with optional supplemental coverage. If your packet does not list automatic benefits, the section explains that rather than showing sample programs.
Ask AI
Comparison chat starts collapsed so the totals and plan cards can use the full width. On a large screen, choose Ask AI to open the side panel; on a phone, the same control opens a sheet. Asking a plan card to explain the math also opens chat.
Embedded vs aggregate deductibles
Family plans may use embedded deductibles (individual limits within the family deductible) or aggregate (one person can satisfy the family deductible). The comparison engine reflects the mode your employer configured.
Disclaimer
FAQ
- Can I compare plans for a colleague?
Only use data you are authorized to access. Household comparisons should use your own family context.
- Why doesn’t dental Compare show a typical dentist fee?
Standalone dental is not in the medical Transparency-in-Coverage files. Compare uses class coinsurance and the annual maximum from your booklet (or the highlights you typed). Open Care costs → Find booklet if those numbers are missing.