Here is what you need to understand to make an educated suggestion- we hit our out of pocket max 70-80% of the time. If you are thinking I'm talking about the deductible I'm not. I'm talking about the total non premium health care cost amount I will pay for the whole year with or without the deductible. From my experience lots of people don't even think about that because they never hit it and only have experience with a deductible.

Well, since most people don't think about the OOP Maximum my work has chosen plans for open enrollment that mean my likely annual healthcare expenses will go up about 66% or $6000 in my case. Keep in mind that the healthcare costs I was paying were already through the roof. That swallow's up every cent of a raise I just got and more. Even with HSA matching and HSA contributions, if this is a normal year, I can expect to pay over $21000 in healthcare expenses. I already reached out to the benefits gal in our office and she and I will be meeting Monday and she disclosed to me that OOP maximum was not even considered when making this year's decisions.

Here's where I need advice. I love where I work but there is a very real possibility I have to move employers over this change and find an employer who offers a plan that doesn't break me financially.

1. What do Obama care plan look like cost-wise, especially the OOP max and monthly costs?
2. Are there any tools out there for comparing plans? For example my work offers a PPO plan with a $1000 deductible but the OOP Max is higher- I would love to consider how a deductible might decrease the cost enough to make a difference by comparing to the lower OOP max on the high deductible plan but how would I know? I would have to make a guess on the procedures and medical care my family will need this year which I'm willing to do, and might be able to do with some accuracy, but I need some tool to help me consider.
3. How would I ever find out what the OOP max is on another company's plan before actually getting hired? Anything like that would be critically relevant to my decisions but I think asking to look over another company's plan would be weird and a red flag for those hiring.
4. Any other knowledgeable options are welcome. I have to think outside the box here.