Do you have health insurance?

[ChrizJen]

I certainly don't live in a perfect world but I would do whatever I can to find a way to get health insurance. Like I said, what would their finances look like if they suddenly had $500,000 in medical bills. For me it just isn't an option to go without. There are ways to make it work but it takes work. No, it isn't ideal but it is better then the alternative. Again, they are making the choice to not have insurance no matter how you look at it. They are choosing NOT to find an alternative to getting insurance. There are plenty of over the road truck driving companies out there looking for drivers-they offer health plans-why not apply there? If he is self-employed then the health insurance premiums are a business expense and money can be saved on taxes to help make up the difference. There ARE options, you just have to find them. Again, you are never going to convince me that people don't have a choice in taking health insurance or not because they ALWAYS have a CHOICE, sometimes they choose not to go through the work to get it done.

What about the single mom with 3 kids, who makes just enough to get by? She makes slightly too much to qualify for medicaid, but not enough to afford health insurance? You say get another job, or two or whatever it takes. Then who will care for her small children while she's working 20 hours a day? She makes too much for childcare assistance, but not enough to cover all of the extra childcare a second or third job would require. So now she's working 3 jobs, but all of the income from the second and third jobs is going towards paying for the childcare while she's at those jobs...
I'm sorry. Sometimes it's not a matter of trying harder. Sometimes it really truly is a matter of facing the fact that there are some people who cannot afford health insurance. Period. I'm not sure why you can't admit that no matter how they bend it or stretch it, some people just cannot make ends meet. The money is simply not there.
And when faced with how you're going to put dinner on the table vs. what will happen should you fall ill, I'm sorry but the most pressing issue is going to be putting dinner on the table. I don't know of any person in his/her right mind who would let a child starve just so they have coverage for "what if?".

 

[golfgal]

My DD is 24 and going to college in New York. She is no longer eligible for our health insurance. I went through an insurance broker to try and find a policy for her; the cheapest one I could find was over $400 a month. Hello, she is a college student and can't afford that. She did manage to get on the university health insurance. Thankfully, because the first week of school, she broke her toe. The problem is that this policy has a really low total payout about $50,000. If she should get seriously stick, she will be in big trouble.

My darling granddaughter was diagnosed with cancer just over 2 years ago at the age of 8 - every parent's worse nightmare. Her parents have great health insurance which has had paid most of the almost a million dollars in bills that she has incurred. She will have to get tests for the rest of her life -- right now they are every 6 months. However, when she gets older, there is nobody that will give her a policy on her own.

Everybody thinks that it won't happen to them. That they have insurance and that they always will. Well, I was laid off in February. Of the 75 people that were laid off, 2/3s of them now have no health insurance because they can't afford in on unemployment.

What's that saying, "There, but for the Grace of God, go I".

Her parents need to make sure that she does a good job in school and gets a job with a company that offers benefits. Also, I know people that have had cancer and have health insurance (private policies not group plans). It isn't an automatic decline-trickier yes, but not impossible.

I think the real issue is people need to do something at their state level. I don't know why we have it so much easier in MN then everywhere else?? If you get denied coverage you automatically are eligible for our state plan-which is a sliding scale plan. It is also there for those, like the single mom who doesn't qualify for medicare, again, on a sliding scale. I know one woman paying $30/month for her family of 6--and the state plan is a really good plan.

Disney 1990--for a major medical plan with a $1500 deductible for someone your DD's age she could get that plan in MN for around $100/month. If she wanted something with some coverage for appointments, then you pay your deductible, then you are covered at 100% that would be around $200/month. I know a couple, both have high blood pressure and are overweight, 48 year old getting coverage for the two of them for $550/month with a plan like I just described. I'm sorry but I just don't see HOW it is so different across the country? It makes no sense to me at all.

 

[Feralpeg]

I have insurance through my employer starting this month. Its about $90 a month for health, dental and vision. I did not have insurance before this for about a year and half since I got kicked off my dad's plan for finishing school. I don't go to the doctor for more than my physical each year. I have never broken a bone or had a medical emergency. Guess I am lucky. The only times I was ever in a hospital was when I was born and when I had my son. Flame me all you want, but I really don't feel like health insurance is an absolute necesity. I think if it comes down to having a roof over your head and some food to eat or having health insurance, its just a choice you have to make. I don't think one is more right over the other, but its a personal choice and each person knows what is right for them in their situation. Personally, I would not take out a policy for myself if it was not offered through my employer.

Of course, luck can change. I did not expect to get breast cancer at age 31. My friend did not expect to be bitten by a stray cat and end up having rabies shots and care for a bone infection that totaled over $20,000. My cousin did not expect to be in a motorcycle accident that resulted in 3rd degree burns to half his body and medical costs in the neighborhood of a million dollars. Fortunately, we all had health insurance.

I'm not trying to give you a hard time. If a person cannot afford it, they cannot afford it. Some things really have to come first (rent, food, etc.). If you can afford it and just decide not to because you have been lucky, you are playing risky game. It just takes one illness or accident to ruin you financially for the remainder of your life.

 

[golfgal]

He is not self-employed. And as for "plenty of companies looking for drivers" uhhh no they're not. Many, many companies are going under and many of the bigger companies are hiring only trainee drivers--dh is a bit past that.

We are making a choice--I will give you that. A choice to keep a roof over our heads, a car so that I can get to work, clothes on our backs and the lights on in our house and food on the table. Sorry, but all those things trump health insurance.

We didn't just haphazardly decide to let him go without coverage for awhile. We made a decision that we had to make at the time. His coverage tripled in cost and his income went down by half. Dropping that coverage was basically a no-brainer if we didn't want to lose everything we have. We do not plan for him to stay without coverage; his income is starting to come back up again and we will be able to either get him on my insurance or get insurance for him on one of the other plans we have looked at or he may change jobs to a company with more and better benefits; but right now that option is very, very limited.

https://www.schwansjobs.apply2jobs....ion=mExternal.showJob&RID=54728&CurrentPage=1

Here is one, great company, great benefits--they have several posting for truck drivers actually.

http://www.careerbuilder.com/JobSeeker/Companies/CompanyJobResults.aspx?Comp_DID=C7X2L96P38G8VQ059YQ

http://www.careerbuilder.com/JobSee...S=NO;TITL=0;OB=-modifiedint;JQT=RAD;JDV=False


Again, it is up to you what you do with your life but these just go to show that there are jobs out there with benefits available and yes, it is a pain in the rear to look for a job, etc. but again, it comes down to choices.

 

[Handbag Lady]

I am just dying here. This is going to sound strange, but I had no idea how good we had it here.

We have individual plans here at work. I don't have kids, so I don't know what family plans run, but I pay about $70 a month for vision, health, and dental. The coverage is pretty good, in comparison to what I am reading here. My husband pays the same for the same coverage.

The thing is, our coverage used to be so much better for less money two years ago and we've been complaining about higher co-pays. Our doctor visits are now $20 instead of $10, for example.

Now, I don't now to lament what has been lost or if we should be jumping for joy.

 

[clori]

Right now I think my family is in the same position as many families. My dh was laid off in January. Due to a federal program we have been paying around $300 for family insurance since March. Right now we are evaluating plans to switch to starting December when the program ends. I believe I can keep cobra for the next 8 or so months but full price starting December 1st is in the $1300 for the family plan.

I live in Ma which mandates health insurance. They do offer low income programs but honestly since dh worked all last year and has gotten a severance package this year our income is too high based even though there is a chance we will be on unemployment soon. Dh is currently doing contract work for the same company that laid him off but the hours have recently gotten reduced to part time and he was told next week is his last week.

If we keep our current plan BC/BS of MA we will pay $13xx but no deductiibles, no coinsurance, $20 office visits, $100 er and a 3 tiered rx program etc. This is a ppo so no referrals and all that.

According to mahealthconnector.org other programs range from $8xx to $17xx per month for an individual family plan. The lower prices have coinsurance, deductibles etc. I thought I found a plan that might work for us until I saw what drs/hospitals it can be used at. Since I live near Boston and have kids I can't imagine not being able to use Childrens Hospital in an emergency.

Right now the plan we currently like best costs $1052 per month. It has a $2000 deductible which is mostly for hospitals and dr visits are $20 per visit. All of the many local hospitals are covered. Honestly I never thought much about how important the hospital part was but my dd broke her arm about two weeks ago. I am currently typing this at Boston Childrens Hospital since dd had surgery today. I do love the piece of mind with health insurance but considering it may cost as much as a mortgage I fully understand why it may cost too much for many people.

 

[staley7580]

We have insurance through my husband... Pretty good insurance, I think. We pay $200 a month and it is through BC/BS of Georgia. Yes.. I live in Washington. It just makes me chuckle.. Anyways. I just had a high risk twin pregnancy, and the dr bills cost me $75. That includes going in every two week, and having an ultrasound at each appt. My hospital bills from delivery ran about $2000. Total. Oh.. and in that $2000 includes 4 trips for preterm labor and all that includes, and 3 non stress tests at the hospital. Copays are $25. ER is $100. My deductible is $250. We also have Dental through Guardian.. It is $10. per pay period.

 

[disney1990]

Her parents need to make sure that she does a good job in school and gets a job with a company that offers benefits. Also, I know people that have had cancer and have health insurance (private policies not group plans). It isn't an automatic decline-trickier yes, but not impossible.

I think the real issue is people need to do something at their state level. I don't know why we have it so much easier in MN then everywhere else?? If you get denied coverage you automatically are eligible for our state plan-which is a sliding scale plan. It is also there for those, like the single mom who doesn't qualify for medicare, again, on a sliding scale. I know one woman paying $30/month for her family of 6--and the state plan is a really good plan.

Disney 1990--for a major medical plan with a $1500 deductible for someone your DD's age she could get that plan in MN for around $100/month. If she wanted something with some coverage for appointments, then you pay your deductible, then you are covered at 100% that would be around $200/month. I know a couple, both have high blood pressure and are overweight, 48 year old getting coverage for the two of them for $550/month with a plan like I just described. I'm sorry but I just don't see HOW it is so different across the country? It makes no sense to me at all.

Yes, insurance is very different in other states. I am glad that you have such great coverage in MN.

I talked to one of the women that I got laid off with. She just got another job 2 weeks ago. Her DH is disabled, so she is the breadwinner. Her salary is $700 a week; after taxes, she brings home $560.

Starting in one month she is eligible for health insurance at a cost of $170 a week. That then makes her take home pay, $390 a week. After all of this, she doesn't have enough left over to pay her bills. She is looking for another job.

 

[aprilgail2]

Yes, I haven't had a day in my life where I didn't have insurance.

me either- once my dad stopped being able to cover me when I got out of college I made sure to look for a job that had benefits. My employer covers everything, I don't pay a penny for medical, optical, dental and life insurance. I do have to pay 3 percent into a company pension plan but its well worth it!

ETA- we do have a 200.00 deductible for hospital stays though- but none on Dr visits. If we go to the emergancy room its a 25.00 fee.

 

[golfgal]

Yes, insurance is very different in other states. I am glad that you have such great coverage in MN.

I talked to one of the women that I got laid off with. She just got another job 2 weeks ago. Her DH is disabled, so she is the breadwinner. Her salary is $700 a week; after taxes, she brings home $560.

Starting in one month she is eligible for health insurance at a cost of $170 a week. That then makes her take home pay, $390 a week. After all of this, she doesn't have enough left over to pay her bills. She is looking for another job.

Is her husband collecting disability insurance or SSDI? Does he have medicaid?

 

[disney1990]

Is her husband collecting disability insurance or SSDI? Does he have medicaid?

No, he is in some sort of lawsuit for a work injury. He has been out of work for several years now.

 

[C.Ann]

Is her husband collecting disability insurance or SSDI? Does he have medicaid?

Don't know how it is in your state, but even if he did have Medicaid, there are states that require a person be on total disability for two years prior to being eligible for Medicaid..

I have a friend in another state who was declared totally disabled 2 years ago (single - no DH) and she won't be eligible for Medicaid until next month.. For the past 2 years she has had no health insurance at all.. Her disability covers her rent (low income housing); her electric; her telephone; her food; and most of her daily medications.. (There were two meds that she had to stop taking because she didn't have enough money leftover to pay for them..)

In a perfect world, these things wouldn't happen.. Unfortunately we don't live in a perfect world - things happen - and how they can be dealt with varies greatly from state to state..

 

[clgwli]

Yes and I always have. Even when both of us had lost our jobs we were always covered. We even like our private insurance so much that we turn down the offers through work.

 

[bigbabyblues]

We have health insurance and have not been without since I got my first job at 18. I work for a hospital (billing, actually), and their insurance is about $280 every two weeks for a family plan with a $4000 deductible. The high-deductible policies are becoming a lot more common, at least in this area. We are fortunate that DH's employer has better coverage, lower cost and lower out-of-pocket.

 

[DarthKTrava]

No. It costs too much to afford it. Not only do insurance companies cherry pick who they cover but WHAT they will cover.

Case in point: a friend of mine had to have varicose veins taken care of after one burst while he was in the shower. Insurance he had would cover ripping out the bad veins (which woul keep him out of work for over a month!) instead of the less invasive procedure he chose (and had to pay out of pocket for!)

Total BS. Completely.

 

[DarthKTrava]

i'm fortunate enough to have decent coverage at a good price through my employer. My sister, on the other hand, who has 3 children and is a single mom, makes too much to qualify for medicaid, but doesn't make enough to pay the huge amount that her employer charges for coverage. It would take half of her paycheck. And she needs that money to live. Even though you're probably not going to hear a lot about it here on the dis, it's definitely much more of a problem than some even realize.

qft

 

[christineann]

My insurance is paid by my employer, and I pay over $300/month for one healthy dependent. This year the premium went up slightly, and the deductible went from $500 to $2000 (hey, what a deal). This is essentially a catastrophic policy now.

I would suggest that everyone review the EOB's carefully for mistakes. My son went to an emergency room (in network provider) to get stitches in his hand, and the insurance company paid less than $200 for a $1100 claim. I wrote a letter asking for clarification and instructions for how to get an emergency procedure covered and received an "oops" letter stating that they made a mistake and were going to send the hospital an additional payment of over $400. This was not the first time I had discovered an error, and this is one of the big health insurance companies. I would have been SOL if I hadn't checked into it.

 

[DarthKTrava]

No, he is in some sort of lawsuit for a work injury. He has been out of work for several years now.

Sounds like my sis. She's been out for the same reason. And looking at a second surgery on one of her wrists for carpal tunnel syndrome (she got it in BOTH wrists!) she got from work.

 

[luvsJack]

https://www.schwansjobs.apply2jobs....ion=mExternal.showJob&RID=54728&CurrentPage=1

Here is one, great company, great benefits--they have several posting for truck drivers actually.

http://www.careerbuilder.com/JobSeeker/Companies/CompanyJobResults.aspx?Comp_DID=C7X2L96P38G8VQ059YQ

http://www.careerbuilder.com/JobSee...S=NO;TITL=0;OB=-modifiedint;JQT=RAD;JDV=False


Again, it is up to you what you do with your life but these just go to show that there are jobs out there with benefits available and yes, it is a pain in the rear to look for a job, etc. but again, it comes down to choices.

Yes, there are some jobs out there--but are their drivers making anything? Are their benefits as great as they advertise? (the company we are with can make a list of benefits--they are just not as great as they can sound). I never said he had not been looking for another job. In fact I mentioned twice that when things got better hopefully he would get a job with another company that offers better benefits. Do you drive a truck or do you know someone who does? If not, then you are again speaking of something you know nothing about. As for the two companies that you posted, they may offer benefits but we still need to get paid. There are reasons behind him staying put right now and it is the best choice for now. He is choosing to be loyal to a company that is making sure that he is getting the best loads possible right now--they are looking out for him as an individual. Too many drivers are not making enough to live on, many are going bankrupt and some are getting out of driving and going to something else (hence the openings--but that doesn't mean he can make any money for that company). Even if he moved to a company with great insurance, if he can't make the income to pay for it; what will he have accomplished. A driver gets paid for the miles he drives and the loads he carries; if the loads are not there then he doesn't get paid and that is the problem right now--for all trucking companies not just the one he is with.


I do not have to defend our decisions to you or to anyone else; but you really should try walking a mile in someone's shoes before you decide what they should or should not do.

For the third time now, we have every intention of insuring my husband when times are better with trucking--please, keep in mind it is not a company issue the decrease in income is a trucking issue. And things are looking up a bit now, so this will all change in a short time and this conversation will be a moot point.

For the person who said it was irresponsible for someone to go without insurance: Would you like to pay my mortgage so that I can pay his insurance? Or maybe a person should be homeless but have insurance? Which choice would you make?

When/if we have medical bills without insurance, we do the same thing we do if we have big medical bills that are not covered with insurance. We go to the hospital/dr office/health provider's business office and we set up monthly payments. We pay those until the bill is paid in full. They will set them anywhere from $10-whatever a person can afford. So, we are not going without paying our bills. No one has higher insurance because of us.

 

[MushyMushy]

LuvsJack, no you don't have to defend yourself at all. As you can see, most people on this thread completely understand where you're coming from and feel compassion for those of you struggling to pay for health insurance or are without.