Choosing between ‘Aetna’ and ‘Aetna Sutter’ in California?

Got a new job and I have the option of choosing between ‘Aetna PPO 500’ or ‘Aetna Sutter PPO 500’. The ‘Aetna Sutter’ option is a relatively new one that just launched last year, so it’s been hard to find information about it. The ‘Aetna PPO 500’ is described as an ‘OA Managed Choice POS’. The ‘Aetna Sutter PPO 500’ is described as an ‘Sutter Health OA Managed Choice POS’.

I’m researching as much as I can, but I wanted to see if anybody here has experience with either plan. The difference in monthly premium between the two options is $26. The deductible, OOP max, and coinsurance rates are identical. There is a $5 difference in copay rates for office visits.

I’ve had good experiences with Sutter Health before, and I’ve found a PCP within Sutter that I’ll be going to. But I don’t know if it’s the right move to get ‘locked in’ with Sutter health, by choosing the Sutter-Aetna option. If I go with just Aetna, I’ll have more options (maybe?), but I don’t know how often I’d even be looking for a provider outside the Sutter network.

Any advice is greatly appreciated.

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