Health insurance

[ElizK]

I work part-time at a my company. For me as a part-timer, they contribute half of the insurance contribution that a full-timer gets. I just added up the total of what they pay($389.00) and what I pay($578.00), and it comes to $967.00 per month for medical insurance only for a family of 4. That seems high to me... And as a very healthy family, I wonder if I ought to be looking elsewhere. We do have very good insurance, and the copays are reasonable. It's just that this year is one of the only years that the insurance will have paid out more than what we have paid in, because I had surgery last month. Even the year DD17 broke her ankle and tore up the ligaments in her knee, had 2 casts and 3 MRIs didn't pay out more than we paid in. In most years we would have been better off banking my portion of the cost, by several thousand dollars!

Realistically, I know we cannot go without health insurance, but jeez, is there something different that we can do to cut the costs?

 

[Skatermom23]

I think your getting a good deal! First of all, I don't know any parttime workers that get any medical benefits let alone have a company pay a portion for them! Look at it this way, you are only paying $578 a month for medical insurance. That is a good deal and I doubt you could do better.

 

[clutter]

Actually, your company is getting a good deal. Family coverage for $967/month? We used to pay over $1,300/month. (Don't know my current company's costs.)

 

[tinatark]

We're around $1500 a month for a family of four.

Check with your local Farm Bureau office - the ones here offer group health through Blue Cross Blue Shield and it's very affordable.

 

[ElizK]

I really appreciate your replys. I guess I will stop whining. Or try, at least.

 

[Piecey]

I think your getting a good deal! First of all, I don't know any parttime workers that get any medical benefits let alone have a company pay a portion for them! Look at it this way, you are only paying $578 a month for medical insurance. That is a good deal and I doubt you could do better.

I've worked in banking since I was 18 and always been offered health insurance even though I was part-time.

Anyway, that seems crazy to me! I probably have unrealistic numbers in my mind but we pay $160/month for our health insurance. Last year I paid $780/YEAR for my insurance through the local college. It paid for my entire pregnancy, my c-section, getting my gallbladder out, etc...

I'd look into other means for insurance for sure!!

 

[KLAIT]

I tend to agree that both you and the company are getting a pretty good deal. We do not contribute to part-time employee premium and we (the company) currently pay over $1200 per month for a family with good, but not great coverage.

 

[wvjules]

Try http://www.ehealthinsurance.com/. I got my coverage through there. I have BCBS, $2500/ded, no co-pay on annual check-ups/exams. 100%co-insurance after deductible is paid. Oh, I pay $98/month. And the best part, it is not tied to an employer. My employer has Aetna with a huge premium and terrible coverage.

 

[eeyore65]

I did the same as WVJULES. If you are healthy and lots of people at your employer are either smokers, older or have health issues - you may be able to get cheaper coverage on your own. Do not be afraid of the high deductible HSA plans. Not only do you get what WVJULES described - but if you do have to go you get teh negotiated rate. I just went to the Dr. and had bloodwork - the Dr. visist was $25 (negotiated rate) and teh blood work was $50 (negotiated rate). For our healthy family the HSA plan is WAY cheaper.

 

[PghLybrt]

That is less then my GF pays for herself for medical care every month.

 

[Luv2Scrap]

Wow, you guys are scaring me! Are these costs typical with full time jobs too, or are you guys talking about part time jobs?

Maybe I don't want to give up my low paying county job with (almost) free health insurance after all...

 

[LuvOrlando]

double post

 

[LuvOrlando]

To me it's like my house and car insurance. I pay in every month to protect me when its my turn to need it other years I just pay for the safety net. Obviously my carriers pay out more in areas where there are more crime or natural disasters but that's just how it goes, I'd rather pay in and not need it than not have it when I do need it. For years DH & I needed nothing from my policies, but I paid anyway, medical is just one kind. Then I had my DS and that didn't break even, but when my pregnancy with my DD turned into high risk then I needed 10 days in the high risk unit, then she needed 10 days in the NICU. Well then I realized it was worth it. Now it helps with my DS11 & DD10's Asthma. I know we cost allot right now but at some point the kids will be on their own, maybe even outgrowing the condition and then DH & I will go back to being major contributors as opposed to major drains. Then when we're older we'll go back to being drains again. I think it's all just a part of the cycle of things, sometimes we're on top with our money raining down to help others and sometimes we're at the bottom benefiting from other's contributions. I think it all evens out in the end.

 

[wdwfan16]

I work part-time at a my company. For me as a part-timer, they contribute half of the insurance contribution that a full-timer gets. I just added up the total of what they pay($389.00) and what I pay($578.00), and it comes to $967.00 per month for medical insurance only for a family of 4. That seems high to me... And as a very healthy family, I wonder if I ought to be looking elsewhere. We do have very good insurance, and the copays are reasonable. It's just that this year is one of the only years that the insurance will have paid out more than what we have paid in, because I had surgery last month. Even the year DD17 broke her ankle and tore up the ligaments in her knee, had 2 casts and 3 MRIs didn't pay out more than we paid in. In most years we would have been better off banking my portion of the cost, by several thousand dollars!

Realistically, I know we cannot go without health insurance, but jeez, is there something different that we can do to cut the costs?

Ours is higher than that.

 

[clgwli]

We also shopped around with online places and brokers to find the best deal. We pay about $215/month now for a family with decent coverage. Not top notch but compared to paying $600/month for a family with similar coverage I think we're doing fine.

 

[4nana]

Many of us feel your pain and wish you luck in finding a great heatlh ins. plan for descent rate. If you do, pls share your knowledge ! As seniors we are not eligible for many of the great bargin plans on internet. When DH was working our Cigna ins was $68 mo! Now that he's retired 8 yrs we must manage on SS and small pension, as no longer can count on our 401k. We pay $625. mo for same Cigna medical (that's our share on HNY retirment plan), AARP dental and his Medicare. Even tho I feel very blessed to have health ins., I too used to gripe about cost, until 2 mos ago when DH was critically ill hospitalized one week w/over $40,000 in medical bills. My heart goes out to all those struggling or w/o ins. Sure wish it was less expensive, but I will continue providing daycare to supplement our bennies, as we never know what tomorrow may bring.

 

[Chicago526]

My company pays over $1000 a month to cover both DH and I, so less than $1000 for four sounds like a deal to me. But prices vary by state, so it never hurts to research to see if you can get a better deal elsewhere.

 

[maroo]

Please be very careful if you get off of a group health plan and go individual.

Depending on the rules for your state (and what happens with healthcare here), you could lose coverage for any condition that is pre-existing. Even the condition you don't know about yet.


I know it seems like a lot of money. But if you are ever diagnosed with cancer or have a serious need, you will want to have GREAT health insurance. Usually group health insurance covers well...there are exceptions and without looking at a policy, I can't really tell you.


But I can tell you that we have lots of patients that buy into "cost sharing" and "limited benefits" and low cost health plans that find out the very, very hard way that they really don't pay much of anything if you need chemotherapy. Some of the plans have OK hospital coverage...but lots of care is considered outpatient these days.

Just be careful before you decide to move away from your group health plan. Maybe have a trusted person in the medical field and the insurance field take a look at the policy before you change over.

 

[ElizK]

Ok, I just checked into my benefits. For no additional cost to me I can get a High Deductible Health Plan thru my employer. It's a $1500 deductible per person, $3000 for the family. No fees for annual routine physical check-ups, and 20% copay once the deductibles are met.

If we decide to do it, I would have the $578 per month automatically deducted and put into a separate savings account to pay for anything that comes up.