We need new health insurance

[VeeHam]

As the title describes, our health insurance through DH's work is bad. We need something else with more coverage. Does anyone know of a way to get health insurance for a family without going through an employer that doesn't costs thousands per month. I don't want a bare minimum plan as I have two kids and hopefully will be adding another in the near future. Thanks

 

[wiigirl]

I had to get my own inusrance for a while and got Blue Cross Blue Shield. It wasn't the best coverage but it was the cheapest I have ever found.

 

[pryncess527]

My H needed coverage for awhile when in between jobs. His COBRA options were awful and adding him to my plan was even worse. We shopped around at ehealthinsurance.com to find him something that worked well and was surprisingly cheap. We never had to use it though so I can't comment much on quality, but it was a policy through Aetna and the coverage looked good.

What state are you in? You may be eligible to participate in the health care exchange market if your state is setting one up.

 

[VeeHam]

Thanks.
We are in Texas. I looked at ehealthinsurance and they had a decent one with BCBS but it had no maternity coverage. It was $800 per month.

 

[blueferral]

Obamacare exchanges open up in two weeks. That will be an option if you can hold out until Jan. 1 when those plans become active. Otherwise, ask around for a good insurance broker.

 

[mm1971]

Obamacare exchanges open up in two weeks. That will be an option if you can hold out until Jan. 1 when those plans become active. Otherwise, ask around for a good insurance broker.

That was my initial thought. If you can hang on your existing insurance for a few more months, you may have options under Obmacare. If your existing plan does not meet certain minimum guidelines, you may be eligible for discounted insurance, tax deductions on what you do pay or even both.

If you can't wait, there are very few "inexpensive" options. All have holes in coverage somewhere.

 

[VeeHam]

Thanks everyone for all of the ideas. We can wait. I'm just shopping around. Do you know what the plans with obamacare will entail. This is something I haven't researched. I guess I should get on that!

 

[pryncess527]

In Texas the exchange is being run by the federal government. I don't think details are out yet but should be published soon.

I know there was a big push to include maternity coverage in more plans, so I would expect that will be something you can find when the exchange opens. Your husbands plan must be grandfathered (many are) or I'm pretty sure they'd have to cover maternity care under the new law.

 

[mm1971]

Thanks everyone for all of the ideas. We can wait. I'm just shopping around. Do you know what the plans with obamacare will entail. This is something I haven't researched. I guess I should get on that!

The specifics are not finalized. Basically, they will determine the level of benefits that meet the minimum requirement. Once those are determined, then you can compare your existing plan and cost to the plans offered. Your husband should get a notice before October 1, 2013. If he does not, his company is subject to significant fines. Included will be a worksheet and details that should help understand the process. I have already sent our notices out to our employees.

Basically, you will compare your plan to the minimum. Depending on the plan, your income and the calculations you may be eligible for tax credits or subsidies. There will also be a list of insurance companies that will offer qualifying plans that you have the option of purchasing. There is way too much info to put into a post, but you can view the insurance companies and plans. Do a google search on "Health Insurance Marketplace".

Good luck!

 

[GrnMtnMan]

our health insurance through DH's work is bad

Can you elaborate on whats 'bad' about it? There's no free lunch here, and if you want a low monthly premium, then you'll have a high deductible. Also, employer provided health insurance has tax benefits, that could make a cheaper looking policy cost you more at the end of the year when you have to pay taxes....

 

[blueferral]

Obamacare exchanges open up in two weeks. That will be an option if you can hold out until Jan. 1 when those plans become active. Otherwise, ask around for a good insurance broker.

 

[VeeHam]

Can you elaborate on whats 'bad' about it? There's no free lunch here, and if you want a low monthly premium, then you'll have a high deductible. Also, employer provided health insurance has tax benefits, that could make a cheaper looking policy cost you more at the end of the year when you have to pay taxes....

I am comparing this current health insurance to all the other health policies we've had before. We have basic dental which only covers cleanings and fillings. I had to have a root canal 2 weeks ago and had to pay OOP for that. They cover nothing else.
Our medical has a $3000 deductible per person per year for in network. 80 % coverage with maximum $3000 OOP after deductible for approved coverage. Out of network is $6000 per person and 60% coverage after the deductible. I need to call back tomorrow and check on maternity. I'm not sure about vision since we haven't used it yet.
Granted, our insurance could be worse, but it's the worst we've ever had. I will be taking everyone's advice and keep checking around. I think we pay $600 OOP per month. I'm not sure what his employer is paying.

 

[dsneprincess]

I am comparing this current health insurance to all the other health policies we've had before. We have basic dental which only covers cleanings and fillings. I had to have a root canal 2 weeks ago and had to pay OOP for that. They cover nothing else.
Our medical has a $3000 deductible per person per year for in network. 80 % coverage with maximum $3000 OOP after deductible for approved coverage. Out of network is $6000 per person and 60% coverage after the deductible. I need to call back tomorrow and check on maternity. I'm not sure about vision since we haven't used it yet.
Granted, our insurance could be worse, but it's the worst we've ever had. I will be taking everyone's advice and keep checking around. I think we pay $600 OOP per month. I'm not sure what his employer is paying.

This doesn't sound unreasonable. All insurance has gotten to be more patient driven, hence high deductibles and higher OOP expenses. You shouldn't lump your dental and vision in with your health insurance as they are all separate entities. Dental insurance is pretty much a joke byway, because it is pretty much only preventative (which is cheap) and everything else is not covered or cosmetic and not covered. I highly doubt you will do better on a government subsidy than you will with private insurance.
Our newest policies look very similar to what you are being offered, after many years of traditional 80/20. Your monthly premiums seem low for a family of 4 and the coverage is decent. I would enroll in his plan and not get shut out this year waiting for something better. You will have a harder time with an "insurance lapse". JMO

 

[Judyat]

In many states you can do short term health insurance. Take a look at www.ehealthinsurance.com and see if it's an option until the ACA kicks in October with coverage starting in January.

 

[mrsklamc]

I don't know about the health exchanges but apart from them,it is unlikely that you will be able to find something on your own that includes maternity coverage that will be better than what an employer provides. They are using a purchasing power that an individual family just doesn't have.

 

[3boymthr]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patien...rdable_Care_Act#Change_in_insurance_standards

Some of the minimum standards are listed in this page. Many of the minimum standards have actually been in place for a number of years for all "new" plans.

 

[danygirl]

If your employer plan meets the minimum then You won't get any tax breaks or subsidy on the exchange. Odds are that you are better off with what you have

 

[GrnMtnMan]

I am comparing this current health insurance to all the other health policies we've had before.

This is the trend in the country...the place I work used to be on the Forbes 'Best Places to Work' list, but since the Great Recession has retreated from offering an 'industry leading' package of benefits, to offering a 'competitive' package of benefits. This has translated into higher employee contributions and higher co-pays and deductibles. This trend is likely to continue as the Obamacare defined 'Cadillac' plans are going to get hit with high taxes.

We have basic dental which only covers cleanings and fillings. I had to have a root canal 2 weeks ago and had to pay OOP for that. They cover nothing else.

Dental is not universal, so having ANY coverage is a plus. Dental insurance generally just provides a discount on dental service for anything but preventative maintenance.

Our medical has a $3000 deductible per person per year for in network. 80 % coverage with maximum $3000 OOP after deductible for approved coverage. Out of network is $6000 per person and 60% coverage after the deductible. I need to call back tomorrow and check on maternity. I'm not sure about vision since we haven't used it yet.
Granted, our insurance could be worse, but it's the worst we've ever had. I will be taking everyone's advice and keep checking around. I think we pay $600 OOP per month. I'm not sure what his employer is paying.

Those sound like pretty high deductibles, but that really depends on how much you pay, versus your employer. There's no harm in shopping around, but I expect you'll come out the other end of your research thinking that health insurance has just overall gotten lousier....and you'd be right.

Don't forget, you don't pay taxes on health insurance premiums paid by deductions from a paycheck. You *DO* pay taxes on health insurance premiums you pay yourself (unless you're self-employed, which is not the case for you since you say your husband's company).

 

[VeeHam]

Thank you everyone for such great information. You all are the best.

 

[GrnMtnMan]

Here's a chart from an article in today's Wall Street Journal:

Walgreen to Shift Health Plan for 160,000 Workers
Drugstore Chain's Move Underscores Shifting Burden on Insurance

Big companies have been gradually pushing far more of the costs of health care to workers. More than one-third of workers at companies with 200 or more workers had annual deductibles of $1,000 or more last year, according to a report by the Kaiser Family Foundation. That's up from 10% of workers at those businesses in 2006.