Employee health care plan for newborn (Kaiser DEPO vs HMO)

Work & Housing

So both wife and I have employer covered health insurance and we’re both in open enrollment trying to figure out who has the better plan to keep our 2 month old on (first kid).

Wife’s plan - HMO $2,232 in add’l annual premium for baby $0 deductible $2000/$4000 OOP max Primary care visit for injury/illness = $20 copay, no visit cap Various copays for other things

My plan - DEPO $938 in add’l annual premium for baby $1000 deductible $2400/$4800 OOP max Primary care visit for injury/illness = visit 1-4 1 00% covered, 5+ @ 10% coinsurance, deductible does not apply 10-20% coinsurance for other things

My first glance is that the two plans are maybe somewhat of a wash, especially if baby stuff meets the deductible or even the OOP max. Also, the uncertainty of what coinsurance amounts could end up being concerns me.

What I’m unsure about is evaluating copays vs coinsurance, and whether one plan or the other is better for ‘generic healthy baby’ vs ‘baby with a buncha needs’. The $1300 increase in annual premium in her plan over mine isn’t going to break the bank, and I suppose we could switch in the next enrollment period if we find out she’s better off under my plan long term.

Thanks in advance for any feedback/advice!

Posted Nov 14, 2025, 7:00 PM UTC

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