Where can I find health insurance that won't break the budget?

[traces7]

From where I sit, the price you're paying for a family plan is not all that bad. We are self employed and pay more than that for coverage that isn't as good as what you describe.

If you decide to go for cheaper insurance on your own, then make sure that you know what you're in for. I recently needed an MRI - $250 co-pay. Physical therapy went from $40/visit in 2010 to $60/visit in 2011. I've been going every week, twice a week since the beginning of Dec. I'm still not done. My daughter's prescription went from a $20 copay to over $70/month.

You might be able to get a policy like I have and pay less than what your employer's policy is costing but you might wish you had better coverage if you start having to pay for all the higher out of pocket costs.

This is kind of what scares me and stops me from looking elsewhere!

 

[starry_solo]

Just some things I want to point out:

1. Your plan through your employer is considered a group plan. That means that as long as the premiums are paid, the insurance company cannot ever cancel your coverage.

2. If you get individual plans, although they may be cheaper, in the long term they may not. They could cancel your coverage for failing to disclose, etc. If you do choose to get individual coverage, I would try to get it through the same company you currently have the employer coverage through (that way, they can't pull anything on you about failing to disclose).

 

[Zerosinthecloset]

My wife manages a medical office here in Santa Fe, and the doctors long ago decided to provide the best medical insurance plans to the employees/families. They provide essentially 100% medical coverage, with the exception of copays at no cost to the employees. The kicker is that most of the employees would rather have an extra $100 in their paycheck every two weeks than have the medical coverage, even those with young children.

The other situation is that they provide a very lucrative retirement plan at no cost to the employees, besides what they are able to put away in their individual SAR SAR/SEP plans. Most of the employees withdraw whatever monies are deposited, either from the doctors plan or their own, out of their retirement plans the very day it is deposited.

It just boggles the mind that people are so short sighted.

 

[KennyandKim]

That seems extremely high to me. We live in Missouri. I found through my employer most of the things we needed for coverage was not covered. I am now a single mom. My childen have insurance for a premium through the state but I do not nor canI afford insurance for myself. I need insurance but will not be getting it anytime soon.

 

[homedad]

I would almost never recommend dropping a group plan to buy individual, so many more negatives and off the top of my head I cannot think of any positives, if you have any health issues it probably won't make sense financially

 

[jodifla]

I wouldn't drop group coverage for single coverage. With group coverage you have a lot of protection...with individual coverage, you can be dropped at ANY time.

 

[Tink-aholic]

That seems extremely high to me. We live in Missouri. I found through my employer most of the things we needed for coverage was not covered. I am now a single mom. My childen have insurance for a premium through the state but I do not nor canI afford insurance for myself. I need insurance but will not be getting it anytime soon.

How can you NOT afford insurance? I am a single mom, too, but I pay extra for the "family" plan at work (we only have 2 tiers instead of 3, so I pay the same for DS and I that the Duggars would pay). It is just an expense of living in the US.

ETA: My son has had 2 bone marrow transplants in the last three years that would have cost close to three quarters of a million dollars. I didn't spend ONE NICKLE on any of it. I will NEVER be without health insurance, because there is no way I would be in a position of telling him he can't have that surgery (benign tumors, so it wouldn't have been "life saving") OR where I am in debt for the rest of my life over that. Just. No. Way.

 

[CinRell]

Good luck! I have a very minor pre existing condition that I have not been to the doctor for in YEARS and take NO meds for (PCOS)... and could not get ANY health ins. company to cover me! Flat out denied (My company closed down last summer so I had to find something privately)

Finally Aetna accepted me. I pay about $260 a month and am actually happy with the coverage. They won't cover anything for the PCOS but it's not a huge deal since, as I said, I haven't had to have much treatment to this point.

 

[jstbcuz]

How can you NOT afford insurance? :confused

We have been in the same situation........even tho we are a two parent family. We just could not afford the insurance that his work offered. It was over 1000 a month........which would be one of his pay checks. Believe me when I say, its not because we dont want insurance. We do have a single policy for him because they will pay for it, and the kids have it thru the state, but for the last 5 years, I've been without.

ITs not that we live in an elaborate home, drive new cars, etc........its that we choose for me to be a stay at home mom, and that means giving up certain things. IF the money isnt there, you dont get it. We get paid twice a month and one check goes for mortgage and the rest for the bills........but as with everything else the rising cost of utilities and having 3 kids involved, it makes things tight.

The good news is: I finally did get insurance this month. A policy thru BCBS based on income. Things are still tight, but now getting past the 40 year mark, I feel better having it.

 

[traces7]

How can you NOT afford insurance? I am a single mom, too, but I pay extra for the "family" plan at work (we only have 2 tiers instead of 3, so I pay the same for DS and I that the Duggars would pay). It is just an expense of living in the US.

ETA: My son has had 2 bone marrow transplants in the last three years that would have cost close to three quarters of a million dollars. I didn't spend ONE NICKLE on any of it. I will NEVER be without health insurance, because there is no way I would be in a position of telling him he can't have that surgery (benign tumors, so it wouldn't have been "life saving") OR where I am in debt for the rest of my life over that. Just. No. Way.

I could see how someone can't afford health insurance. Luckily I have a husband, otherwise I could pay for health insurance and the mortgage maybe and that's all I'd have money for. The health insurance is basically one of my paychecks for the month! (I get paid twice a month). I'd have no money for utilities, food, etc. I just don't know how we're going to do it.

 

[chobie]

First, please contact two or three health insurance agents in your hometown, explain the situation and compare their suggestions. Don't ever get a plan though an internet website.

Unfortunately, you and over 50 million other families are going to find out what the impact of the healthcare legislation that was passed by Congress last year is on your family budget. Healthcare costs are going to skyrocket in the next few years, unless that legislation is modified. You will be paying for the 30 million people who have been brought into the system.

Again, get your advice through local insurance agents who have been in business for many years in your community.

As compared to the last several years where health care costs never went up and were oh so reasonable and affordable.

 

[Judyat]

Take a look at www.ehealthinsurance.com When you put in your zipcode they will show you the available plans in your area along with prices and ratings. You can compare plans on this site and the nice thing is you don't have to talk to anyone unless you want to. You can also apply online. It also tells you what kind of plan it is, the doctors in the plan and what it covers. It's a great site to go to if you want to compare plans. You can also see the difference in prices for different plans and deductibles and how others rate it. Good luck.

 

[Jeff_G]

As compared to the last several years where health care costs never went up and were oh so reasonable and affordable.

My premiums have actually gone down in the last 2 years, while co pays and prescriptions have remained the same.

Over the past 14 years that I have been employed with the same company my co pays are the same, prescriptions are about the same and my premiums have not gone up by any significant amount.

Alost every other service or good has risen quite a bit in the last 14 years but
then again so has my pay. Now what I don’t see if what my employer has been paying into my plan, so perhaps that is where this increase everyone is talking about is hitting…

Who knows perhaps this will be the year my employer passes more of the costs onto me...

 

[shortbun]

Can you get your meds by mail for less? I've saved a ton just on the few meds I get and one of my son's. I saved about $400 a year which isn't a lot monthly but it all helps.

Also, I would think long and hard about changing coverages right now. You work insurance HAS to take you. Private coverage could be iffy and cancellable. Sounds like you have some people with health issues and should stay stable. Try to cut costs elsewhere. Yardsale season is coming up. I personally am looking for some additional employment income. Something I can earn from home in several hours a week. Good luck, the health care situation is precarious with the recent changes in jeopardy. Seems like it's a good thing to hold steady right now.

 

[mcraft17]

Try HumanaOne. That is what I use and have had it for 4 years. My husband has type 2 diabetes and his insurance at work for him is really cheap but to add me was really expensive! I have a $1500 deductible but after that they pay 100%.

 

[chobie]

My premiums have actually gone down in the last 2 years, while co pays and prescriptions have remained the same.

Over the past 14 years that I have been employed with the same company my co pays are the same, prescriptions are about the same and my premiums have not gone up by any significant amount.

Alost every other service or good has risen quite a bit in the last 14 years but
then again so has my pay. Now what I don’t see if what my employer has been paying into my plan, so perhaps that is where this increase everyone is talking about is hitting…

Who knows perhaps this will be the year my employer passes more of the costs onto me...

Mine has gone up almost every year since I can remember, either just the premiums or just the co-pays, or both. This is how its been for most people I know as well. You are very fortunate, apparently. I hope that remains so.

Do a google search for rising costs of health care costs predating the health care bill. It's not a new thing phenomena since 2008.