Health insurance

[java]

Dh started a new job with no subsidized Heath benefits, not so unusual anymore sadly. I am looking for a job with insurance, but for now we need some stat. Pricing private plans is all over the map. We are a family of 6!

So my question is for those of you that provide yourself with insurance, how do you do it?

 

[Tink-aholic]

Dh started a new job with no subsidized Heath benefits, not so unusual anymore sadly. I am looking for a job with insurance, but for now we need some stat. Pricing private plans is all over the map. We are a family of 6!

So my question is for those of you that provide yourself with insurance, how do you do it?

Are you on COBRA from your old plan? Many people are now going with high deductible plans paired with HSAs/FSAs. I would prefer the HSA myself, but there are pros and cons to both:

HSA: Money is only available after it accrues, but it is pre-tax and it rolls over from year to year. You would use this to pay regular doctor visits, prescriptions, medical supplies, minor procedures, and everything else until you reached your (high) deductible (usually $10K, but I have seen them lower). May be withdrawn for certain other circumstances.

FSA: Total amount of money is available Jan 1, but must be used within that calendar year or is gone. Also pre-tax and used for the above purposes until deductible kicks in. Money is not available for any other purpose and can no longer be used for most OTC items.

Whatever you decide, good luck.

 

[java]

No Cobra. Thank you for the info though. Long story why no cobra but it's not an option.

 

[johde]

HSA: Money is only available after it accrues, but it is pre-tax and it rolls over from year to year. You would use this to pay regular doctor visits, prescriptions, medical supplies, minor procedures, and everything else until you reached your (high) deductible (usually $10K, but I have seen them lower). May be withdrawn for certain other circumstances.

I have a HDHP/HSA for myself but I'm single. The minimum deductible for these type of plans was $1,200 for a single person and $2,400 for a family. My plan has a $1,500 deductible but then pays 100% above that. So for me, yes the deductible is high and most years I don't use it. In the year I did use it, I only had to pay the first $1,500 and insurance paid everything else.

 

[Marionnette]

Dh started a new job with no subsidized Heath benefits, not so unusual anymore sadly. I am looking for a job with insurance, but for now we need some stat. Pricing private plans is all over the map. We are a family of 6!

So my question is for those of you that provide yourself with insurance, how do you do it?

We went to an independent insurance agent and discussed our needs. They asked key questions came up with their recommendations based on our answers. The cost of the insurance is not cheap and it goes up every year. We pay over $800 a month for a family of 5 adults (kids are over 18). Our copays are pretty high but we're covered and that's what matters.

There is no cheap answer when it comes to health insurance. If you're just looking for the short term, you might want to consider getting a policy that only covers you for catastrophic accidents and illnesses. You'll pay out of pocket for all routine stuff but you won't go bankrupt if something happens while you're looking for a job with coverage.

 

[4HOLIDAYS]

We are self employed. We have an indiv plan for our family of 4 on Cigna for 680/mo. Docs are 40 for reg, spec are 60. rX ARE 15,25,50? something like that. We each have a 1500 deduct/yr and 4500 family.

Its not that bad compared to others but not nearly as good as we would like.

 

[mommyof3grlz]

We have a plan from Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Alabama called Individual Blue. We pay $479 a month for a family of 5 and it includes our dental plan. I am 43 and my husband is 45. We got it directly from their website. Not sure if it is still called individual blue, it may be something else now.

 

[luvmarypoppins]

Look at your states health insurance website.

They might have options that you qualify for.

 

[stitchlovestink]

Are you on COBRA from your old plan? Many people are now going with high deductible plans paired with HSAs/FSAs. I would prefer the HSA myself, but there are pros and cons to both:

HSA: Money is only available after it accrues, but it is pre-tax and it rolls over from year to year. You would use this to pay regular doctor visits, prescriptions, medical supplies, minor procedures, and everything else until you reached your (high) deductible (usually $10K, but I have seen them lower). May be withdrawn for certain other circumstances.

FSA: Total amount of money is available Jan 1, but must be used within that calendar year or is gone. Also pre-tax and used for the above purposes until deductible kicks in. Money is not available for any other purpose and can no longer be used for most OTC items.Whatever you decide, good luck.

bolding is mine...
I think you would need to check with your plan... because each plan is/can be different. Our plan allows us to use money from the previous year thru march 15 of the next calendar year. So money we contribute this year, we have until March 15, 2013 to use. And we can use it for certain OTCs and we can use it for even more OTCs if we have a Dr's Script for the item. So you need to check with your plan. And we use our money for our DEDUCTIBLE costs. and then the copay portions after we have met the deductible. The most important thing we learned is that your HSA money can roll over year to year and accrue pretty much indefinitely, but your FSA cannot. You need to use it or you will lose it. so you should ALWAYS use your FSA funds first, then HSA monies. Good Luck figuring out the insurance situation. These things are never easy.