Can I buy two different health ins. plans? Better one for kids another for us?

[Krischaser]

We have to purchase health ins. soon and it is so outside our budget. Can I purchase a good plan for the kids and a basic plan for us? Thanks

 

[swilshire]

I'm just guessing because I have only purchased policies through work, but there, a family policy costs the same regardless of the number of family members. For example, a couple with no children pays the same as a family with 10 kids. Private policies may be different.

In some states, uninsured children can be signed up for a state sponsored policy. You might look into that.

Sheila

 

[Owlpost23]

Go online and give a look-there are plenty of policies that are affordable.We had a gap last January in coverage,and I went online and went with Golden Rule.A fraction of Cobra (which is obscene!) and someone will talk you through all the options.

 

[ktmo]

When we had to buy our own health insurance, we originally started out with three policies - one for DH, one for me and one for DD. My DH is a "little bit" (okay a lot) older than me and the family plan pricing went based on my DH's age. It was more expensive to have a family plan, when there was just the three of us. When we had #2, we went to a family plan, because then it was cheaper.

I don't think my DH went to the doctor more than once during the three years we were paying for our own insurance. I was tempted to get him a plan that would cover major things, hospitalization, cancer, etc. Then I would have a separate plan for me and the girls.

I would talk to an insurance person and price everything out. It may make sense for you to do what you are thinking.

 

[tar heel]

I'm just guessing because I have only purchased policies through work, but there, a family policy costs the same regardless of the number of family members. For example, a couple with no children pays the same as a family with 10 kids. Private policies may be different.

In some states, uninsured children can be signed up for a state sponsored policy. You might look into that.

Sheila

That's becoming less common. Many companies now have a price for spouse and a price for kids.

For us, the most economical way for everyone to have decent coverage is for DH to cover himself and the kids and me to get insurance through work. We used to also have a third policy that covered our oldest son b/c he turned 22 and didn't yet have a job with insurance. (Yes, this was before the new health program required kids to be covered to 25.)

 

[beansmom]

When we had to buy our own health insurance, we originally started out with three policies - one for DH, one for me and one for DD. My DH is a "little bit" (okay a lot) older than me and the family plan pricing went based on my DH's age. It was more expensive to have a family plan, when there was just the three of us. When we had #2, we went to a family plan, because then it was cheaper.

we're in the same boat...DH is 15 yrs old and is a certified geezer so his insurance is a fraction of what is. We went with 2 different policies as well.

 

[tar heel]

I think beansmom robbed the cradle! It's funny what leaving out a word or two can do to the meaning of a sentence.

 

[swilshire]

(Yes, this was before the new health program required kids to be covered to 25.)

Thankfully, it's actually to 26. This was a great blessing for us. Our daughter is on until the end of her 26th birthday month next February and my son has two more years of coverage. I know this will ultimately make insurance go up, but it's so hard for young adults in that age frame as they try to transition from college to work. Our policy dropped them even if they were in school until this new law passed.

Sheila

 

[bjscheel]

Depending on your income, you may be able to put the kids on your state CHIP program at a low cost. Otherwise, I get mine through work, and DH and the kids are on a policy that we got ourselves. It is a high deductible of $3400, but everyone counts toward that one deductible and if we ever reach it, the insurance will cover 100%. So far we have barely any medical expenses, so I figure if we do, we can handle $3400 in a year. The policy is currently about $289/month.

This is from Wellmark (Blue Cross Blue Shield), the major health insurer in our state and I got it through their website.

 

[bjscheel]

Just wanted to add that sometimes the "better" plan isn't worth it- you end up paying a higher "for sure" premium amount every month instead of a "maybe" deductible. For instance, I compared things like a plan with a $500 deductible and a $1000 deductible. If the $500 plan costs close to $500 more over the year than the $1000 plan, it saves you nothing. So you could buy the $1000 deductible and pay a lower "for sure" amount, and "maybe" have to pay some more deductible, but maybe not, if you don't need it.

Hope that made sense

 

[Krischaser]

Trying to decipher insurance deductibles is even harder! I have three boys who go to the doctors about eight times each a year each. When seasons change here they get strep or ear infections. Oldest has stomach issues. My husband and I maybe twice a year. Any recommendations? We are from Michigan.