Health Insurance. Do you have it?

[El Jefe]

I have been conversing back and forth with another CP member, really cool guy. Anyways we had brought up the topic of Health Insurance. I am faced with a major decision, once I get married I would be looking at paying nearly $700 dollars a month for insurance. I only pay like $120 right now for myself. At $700 I simply cannot afford that, obviously I am paying all out of pocket, but shoot even if it was 400 I still couldn't afford it. I just am curious to see who has insurance, and is it because your employer pays for it, or are you chugging through the costs yourself?

Is there options such as If I just wanted to insure my wife if need be? I talked with an insurance guy from my church and he said women are no longer allowed to take maternity coverage off as an option so women are much more expensive. It's crazy to think that I may not be able to afford health insurance.

[suzzer99]

I didn't have it for a year, then had a high-deductible plan for a year, now just got good corporate insurance. It's a Godsend. I'm actually going in for put-off hernia surgery in a few hours.

Also, this thread will be moved to the DC forum in .3 seconds.

[Bwana]

I didn't have it for a year, then had a high-deductible plan for a year, now just got good corporate insurance. It's a Godsend. I'm actually going in for put-off hernia surgery in a few hours.

Also, this thread will be moved to the DC forum in .3 seconds.

That depends........

[seclark]

yes, through my job.

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[suzzer99]

Health insurance has been swallowed up by the great politicized blob. It can no longer be discussed in polite company.

[El Jefe]

yes, through my job.

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Man that's awesome :thumb:

[Buehler445]

Look into a group policy with your shop. We Did it at the farm with 4 people. Optimally you'd like to get your wife a job with insurance, even if the pay is not great, her effective compensation would be good.

Shop around though. We had ae jackass take like 3 months to look through a bunch of plans and they still couldn't touch blue cross. Don't believe what they tell you. Shop around.

Your other option is crap ass insurance that will basically only guard against big shit.

Oh. And don't drop maternity coverage until one of you gets fixed. You don't want to pay for an "oops" out of pocket.

[luv]

Does your wife have a job? Does she have her own insurance? If she's got pretty good insurance, then you could both be on her plan.

[Buehler445]

Is she going to school? When I was at esu, they had student insurance for damn cheap. You could risk it for you and get that for her.

[MOhillbilly]

co pay doubled for the 3 youngest in the office. dropped mine. screwed the tier pay for the company plan. Made everyones ins. go up(holy shit need coffee). now theyre looking into another plan.
mother**** em'.

[El Jefe]

Does your wife have a job? Does she have her own insurance? If she's got pretty good insurance, then you could both be on her plan.

Is she going to school? When I was at esu, they had student insurance for damn cheap. You could risk it for you and get that for her.

Yes she is a full time student. So is it possible to just have her get insurance through her school, and I can go without or I could just keep my individual I currently have?

[luv]

Yes she is a full time student. So is it possible to just have her get insurance through her school, and I can go without or I could just keep my individual I currently have?

Just because you're married doesn't mean you have to cover each other. At least from what I remember from my HR days. So much has changed since then, though. Just find what works best for what you can afford. I personally hate going without health insurance, but that's just me.

[QuikSsurfer]

Yup, through my job -- we use humana

[Sofa King]

It's expensive. If i were you, i'd keep yours and see if she can get her own or go through her work.

Raising the deductible is an option as well, but you have to be able to afford the large amounts if you have to.

[seclark]

Man that's awesome :thumb:

depends on how you look at it. i could get it myself for a lot cheaper than the company pays. they don't want to do it that way. fine w/me as long as they don't try to use it against me.
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[Saulbadguy]

Yep, through my job.

I've only used the dental and vision portion of it. Haven't been to the doc in 12 years.

[El Jefe]

Just because you're married doesn't mean you have to cover each other. At least from what I remember from my HR days. So much has changed since then, though. Just find what works best for what you can afford. I personally hate going without health insurance, but that's just me.[/QUOTE]

I know, I am the same way.

[QUOTE=Sofa King;7598170]It's expensive. If i were you, i'd keep yours and see if she can get her own or go through her work.

Raising the deductible is an option as well, but you have to be able to afford the large amounts if you have to.

Good thoughts.

[El Jefe]

Anyone else want to chime in?

[Saulbadguy]

Anyone else want to chime in?

Do the student insurance thing, don't put her on yours. Or go without.

[vailpass]

Has the obamacare provision for raising the age at which children may be covered by their parent's insurance kicked in yet?

[Simplex3]

Private insurance is expensive, in part because of the fact that you are forced to take features like maternity that you don't want or need. We have group health coverage because my wife and I are both members of my company and you only need two people for a group in Kansas.

If you're both young and healthy I would recommend looking into just getting some kind of catastrophic coverage and then paying cash every time you go to the doctor. A lot of them will reduce their rates if you're paying cash on the spot. If she does wind up prego then shop hospitals and tell them you'll prepay in cash before the baby comes. As I hear it you can get 50% or more knocked off the bill that way.

[vailpass]

Private insurance is expensive, in part because of the fact that you are forced to take features like maternity that you don't want or need. We have group health coverage because my wife and I are both members of my company and you only need two people for a group in Kansas.

If you're both young and healthy I would recommend looking into just getting some kind of catastrophic coverage and then paying cash every time you go to the doctor. A lot of them will reduce their rates if you're paying cash on the spot. If she does wind up prego then shop hospitals and tell them you'll prepay in cash before the baby comes. As I hear it you can get 50% or more knocked off the bill that way.

Very scary way to live especially with young children.

[ChiTown]

I'm self employed. When you include my deductible and other rates, I pay, on average, about $1000/mos for Family coverage. It's T-Totally Fk'd UP!

[El Jefe]

Very scary way to live especially with young children.

QFT

[Simplex3]

Very scary way to live especially with young children.

Child only coverage used to be cheap (thanks Obamacare), and I would recommend covering kids. It doesn't sound like he has any, though.

I think our family of 4 pays $1,100 a month and my wife is probably 60% of that, but we got the kids covered before Obamacare axed preexisting conditions.

[vailpass]

Child only coverage used to be cheap (thanks Obamacare), and I would recommend covering kids.

I think our family of 4 pays $1,100 a month and my wife is probably 60% of that, but we got the kids covered before Obamacare axed preexisting conditions.

Good on you. It is a significant expense to be sure but one that is absolutely necessary unless you have the wherewithal to pay cash for all medical services.

And stop bashing obamacare, it is the best thing for us we just aren't smart enough to realize it.

[El Jefe]

Good on you. It is a significant expense to be sure but one that is absolutely necessary unless you have the wherewithal to pay cash for all medical services.

And stop bashing obamacare, it is the best thing for us we just aren't smart enough to realize it.

lol brah.

[Simplex3]

Good on you. It is a significant expense to be sure but one that is absolutely necessary unless you have the wherewithal to pay cash for all medical services.

And stop bashing obamacare, it is the best thing for us we just aren't smart enough to realize it.

If I were a spring chick again and had no assets to speak of I wouldn't be paying it, though.

[Deberg_1990]

And stop bashing obamacare, it is the best thing for us we just aren't smart enough to realize it.

without this getting too politcal and out of control, explain please....

[Simplex3]

without this getting too politcal and out of control, explain please....

I'm going to guess you need to tune your sarcasm meter.

[vailpass]

without this getting too politcal and out of control, explain please....

res ipsa loquitor

[Simplex3]

res ipsa loquitor

I had to look up the meaning, so you're a step beyond me already, but I think you got the spelling wrong:

res ipsa loquitur

[vailpass]

I had to look up the meaning, so you're a step beyond me already, but I think you got the spelling wrong:

res ipsa loquitur

yep. fat finger ftw.

[rockymtnchief]

yes, through my job.

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This.

Then I pay an additional $65 a month for each of my daughters.

[Bane]

Yes.
Posted via Mobile Device

[Buehler445]

Yes she is a full time student. So is it possible to just have her get insurance through her school, and I can go without or I could just keep my individual I currently have?

ESU offered some kind of insurance. I don't remember anything about it. But I also remember they had a free clinic.

You and your wife don't have to be on the same plan. I'm not on my wifes

[GoHuge]

I'm self-employed and have a Coventry POS plan that has a $500 deductible, then 90/10, and the max out of pucket of $1500. I pay $136 a month. A POS plan is a mix between a PPO and HMO. I use to sell health and life insurance so this is in my wheelhouse. HMO's aren't nearly as big of a pain in the ass as they use to be. No more paper referrals (with most) from a primary a PCP. You're just asking for it if you don't carry any health insurance. At least get one of high deductible plans in case something catastrophic happens. You get extremely sick and are in the hospital for two weeks and you are financially ****ed. Will be alot easier to pay $9000 in out-of-pocket costs than $150,000 especially with your financial limitations that you've disclosed. Gotta find a way to carry some coverage for yourself and future dependents. I can guarantee you there are things you spend money on that you can cut down on to make room for health insurance.

Do you have this chick already picked or is this just a hypothetical for something that may or may not happen down the road (sorry I only read the 1st page)? Given how you described your financial situation I'd be looking for a better job/go back to school to where you're not sweating an extra $400 a month. If you don't have a particular girl picked out I would recommend finding one that is gainfully employed that you don't have to support like they're a child. I find a girl that embraces being able to stand on her own two feet without needing a man to support her pretty sexy. Find a girl like that and you guys are actual partners rather than her viewing you as her meal ticket.

BTW how old are you? You sound like a pretty young dude to be asking these questions, and I don't mean that in a negatve way by any means........only asking. I'd just try and find one that is financially sound herself and isn't looking to get married for the financial benefits. I'm not married or some relationship guru, but I would think two people that are fine on their own financially would be together and eventually get married for all the right reasons. I'm 31 and single, but I'm not looking for marriage or really a relationship because I'm way to greedy with my time. I'll also admit that it's possible my way of thinking is all ****ed up and I'm way out in left field without a clue..........after all I seem to be the only common denominator!! :)

[Los Pollos Hermanos]

I was recently laid off. Just got the COBRA info. $1700 a month to continue my family coverage.

[GoHuge]

Yes she is a full time student. So is it possible to just have her get insurance through her school, and I can go without or I could just keep my individual I currently have?If she is a full time student and under 25 she can still be listed under her parent's insurance policy, but if she gets married she's no longer eligible for coverage on their plan.

[Simplex3]

You can almost always get cheaper insurance by hitting the market on your own instead of using COBRA.

[Los Pollos Hermanos]

You can almost always get cheaper insurance by hitting the market on your own instead of using COBRA.

Yeah, I'm sure I could. We decided to go with coverage under my wife's employer. It's more expensive then what we had but much much cheaper then COBRA.

[AndChiefs]

I have no insurance coverage. Too expensive, especially when you're unemployed.

[38yrsfan]

Family is covered through wife's work, I'm covered through my work.

We have family dental coverage from both of our employers which is working out great - essentially they both cover just about anything and we have no out of pocket expenses for covered procedures.

When we had to cover ourselves it was with a catastrophic-type plan with a high deductible.

[underEJ]

Mine is part of my compensation plan, but in addition to that, my kick ass employer has brought one of the plans doctors on site so we can make an appointment and stroll on over to his full office in one of our buildings here. No specialist work, but all the general stuff is available, and he is really great and everyone loves him. Apparently sick days are down in a big way, so it might actually prove to be a great business model. Time will tell, he's only been here six months.

[GoHuge]

My dumbass has decided not to carry dental insurance as I've never had dental issues and have my teeth cleaned every 6 months. Had a car accident about 2-3 months ago and had my seatbelt on, but my forehead smashed into the steering wheel and cut a big ass gash on my forehead that also broke my nose. Didn't know it for a week or two and then started having pain when I drank anything cold and was constantly getting shit stuck in my teeth. Got out a mirror and I had broken the 3rd bottom molars on both sides. Things are almost broken in half. Went to the dentist yesterday because these things are fuckin killing me and the one of the left has to be extracted because there isn't enough tooth left to put a crown on. So that one has to be extracted, have a post put in, and then put an implant. The one on the right a root canal and crown. Also says my wisdom teeth have to come out. So all in roughly $5-6000. If I had dental coverage it would be half that. I have to pay all of that up front and hope State Farm pays for it. My auto policy has $5000 available to me for shit like this and lost wages. Used about $1000 on lost wages so have about $4000 to work with. Crossing my fingers hoping they pay......just another example of how dumb not having insurance is. Who the hell thinks they're going to break two molars in an auto accident? Never know......why you gotta have it.

[Earthling]

Medical discharge from USN in '72 and all my hospital and doctors visits are paid for by the Gov. for life. (As long as I use the VA docs and hospitals) I actually have used it very sparingly over these years but its a great spare-tire to have access to.

[Los Pollos Hermanos]

My dumbass has decided not to carry dental insurance as I've never had dental issues and have my teeth cleaned every 6 months. Had a car accident about 2-3 months ago and had my seatbelt on, but my forehead smashed into the steering wheel and cut a big ass gash on my forehead that also broke my nose. Didn't know it for a week or two and then started having pain when I drank anything cold and was constantly getting shit stuck in my teeth. Got out a mirror and I had broken the 3rd bottom molars on both sides. Things are almost broken in half. Went to the dentist yesterday because these things are fuckin killing me and the one of the left has to be extracted because there isn't enough tooth left to put a crown on. So that one has to be extracted, have a post put in, and then put an implant. The one on the right a root canal and crown. Also says my wisdom teeth have to come out. So all in roughly $5-6000. If I had dental coverage it would be half that. I have to pay all of that up front and hope State Farm pays for it. My auto policy has $5000 available to me for shit like this and lost wages. Used about $1000 on lost wages so have about $4000 to work with. Crossing my fingers hoping they pay......just another example of how dumb not having insurance is. Who the hell thinks they're going to break two molars in an auto accident? Never know......why you gotta have it.

Usually, dental expenses caused by an injury or accident are payable under your medical plan.

[Earthling]

My dumbass has decided not to carry dental insurance as I've never had dental issues and have my teeth cleaned every 6 months. Had a car accident about 2-3 months ago and had my seatbelt on, but my forehead smashed into the steering wheel and cut a big ass gash on my forehead that also broke my nose. Didn't know it for a week or two and then started having pain when I drank anything cold and was constantly getting shit stuck in my teeth. Got out a mirror and I had broken the 3rd bottom molars on both sides. Things are almost broken in half. Went to the dentist yesterday because these things are ****in killing me and the one of the left has to be extracted because there isn't enough tooth left to put a crown on. So that one has to be extracted, have a post put in, and then put an implant. The one on the right a root canal and crown. Also says my wisdom teeth have to come out. So all in roughly $5-6000. If I had dental coverage it would be half that. I have to pay all of that up front and hope State Farm pays for it. My auto policy has $5000 available to me for shit like this and lost wages. Used about $1000 on lost wages so have about $4000 to work with. Crossing my fingers hoping they pay......just another example of how dumb not having insurance is. Who the hell thinks they're going to break two molars in an auto accident? Never know......why you gotta have it.

Damn! Hope alls better. That sucks on the money end.

[threebag]

My family plan only runs about 120 a month with no deductibles unless you go to a specialist then it's like twenty bucks.

[El Jefe]

I was recently laid off. Just got the COBRA info. $1700 a month to continue my family coverage.

WOW, that's a crime, are you Jim Bob Duggard?

[Los Pollos Hermanos]

WOW, that's a crime, are you Jim Bob Duggard?

I have no idea who that is.

[El Jefe]

My dumbass has decided not to carry dental insurance as I've never had dental issues and have my teeth cleaned every 6 months. Had a car accident about 2-3 months ago and had my seatbelt on, but my forehead smashed into the steering wheel and cut a big ass gash on my forehead that also broke my nose. Didn't know it for a week or two and then started having pain when I drank anything cold and was constantly getting shit stuck in my teeth. Got out a mirror and I had broken the 3rd bottom molars on both sides. Things are almost broken in half. Went to the dentist yesterday because these things are ****in killing me and the one of the left has to be extracted because there isn't enough tooth left to put a crown on. So that one has to be extracted, have a post put in, and then put an implant. The one on the right a root canal and crown. Also says my wisdom teeth have to come out. So all in roughly $5-6000. If I had dental coverage it would be half that. I have to pay all of that up front and hope State Farm pays for it. My auto policy has $5000 available to me for shit like this and lost wages. Used about $1000 on lost wages so have about $4000 to work with. Crossing my fingers hoping they pay......just another example of how dumb not having insurance is. Who the hell thinks they're going to break two molars in an auto accident? Never know......why you gotta have it.

Ohh man that sucks dude :doh!:

[El Jefe]

I have no idea who that is.

Well it's no funny if I have to explain it :huh:

[El Jefe]

My family plan only runs about 120 a month with no deductibles unless you go to a specialist then it's like twenty bucks.

Go On...

[Bugeater]

Is that jump from $120 to $700 because you're going to a family plan? That's what happened when I got married, that put us in a family plan where you paid the same whether you had no kids or a dozen kids. Fuggin' bullshit.

Anyway, we have it, but every year the premium goes up, the deductible goes up, and the coverages go down. I often wonder if it's even worth having.

[El Jefe]

Is that jump from $120 to $700 because you're going to a family plan? That's what happened when I got married, that put us in a family plan where you paid the same whether you had no kids or a dozen kids. Fuggin' bullshit.

Anyway, we have it, but every year the premium goes up, the deductible goes up, and the coverages go down. I often wonder if it's even worth having.

Yep exactly, it's boggles my mind.

[threebag]

It's through my employer. I think all told our benefits package runs about a thousand a month per employee or some shit. Other than I have it and really never see any out of pocket expenses. Everyone goes to the dr as they please.

[El Jefe]

It's through my employer. I think all told our benefits package runs about a thousand a month per employee or some shit. Other than I have it and really never see any out of pocket expenses. Everyone goes to the dr as they please.

Man that's a nice benefit.

[vailpass]

Usually, dental expenses caused by an injury or accident are payable under your medical plan.

Yep. Go to your doctor, tell him you were injured in a car accident with jaw pain. Let his office pre-certify your treatment with your health insurance carrier.
Good luck.

[threebag]

It works out great cause all of my Drs. are "in network". If I go out of network then could possibly see out of pocket expense.

[bevischief]

Have try going thru a medial broker or whatever they are call? Have you tried getting on the internet yet and get quotes?

[Dunit35]

After not having it for two years, I get it free through my county job. It's pretty good, same as teachers insurance.

[brian964]

There is no company that offers the best deal for every person. You have to get quotes from different companies online and see which companies can provide you with the best price: quotes-center.com

[alnorth]

I have a high-deductible plan through work and a health savings account. If I had to pay both my share and the employer's share it would be about $200/month for me, plus whatever I put into the HSA.

Its a bad deal if you have a health condition or often get sick, but a pretty sweet deal if you are young and healthy. Basically, I'm able to put money in the HSA tax-free, it can be invested, and it comes out tax-free if I need any money from it for health expenses. If you have money left in an HSA when you finally qualify for medicare, then you can take it out as taxable income like an IRA. Anyone who is young, single, and healthy with a reliable income (or maybe married, young, and healthy) should at least consider an HSA.

When you start, you are basically gambling for a few years that you wont have to pay the deductible, but if you can make it a few years without a medical problem and fund the HSA, then you'll wind up with the ability to cover your deductible a couple times over and now you'll be able to stick with a cheap high-deductible plan for at least a while if not to 65.

The deductibles are complicated, different high deductible plans have different deductibles, all I know is that in my plan the maximum out-of-pocket per year is about $4,250. I was able to go several years without significant health expenses, so I've now basically got the ability to rely on high-deductible plans for cheap insurance for the rest of my life unless I have to hit that deductible more than 2 years.

[cdcox]

The deductibles are complicated, different high deductible plans have different deductibles, all I know is that in my plan the maximum out-of-pocket per year is about $4,250.

I don't even consider that to be a high deductible. We routinely pay that out of pocket for co-pays for docs and meds. (Both my wife and daughter have high medical expenses). I have a flex-spending account so it comes out of pre-tax dollars. It could go much higher because the plan only pays 90% of a hospital bill. That could easily go into the $10K range.

On top of that the plan is expensive. I pay $285 for our plan and my employer pays another $1200. Something doesn't add up.

[suzzer99]

Just got hernia surgery for nothing out of pocket. The difference between good corporate insurance and when I was self-employed is like night and day.

[alnorth]

I don't even consider that to be a high deductible. We routinely pay that out of pocket for co-pays for docs and meds. (Both my wife and daughter have high medical expenses). I have a flex-spending account so it comes out of pre-tax dollars. It could go much higher because the plan only pays 90% of a hospital bill. That could easily go into the $10K range.

On top of that the plan is expensive. I pay $285 for our plan and my employer pays another $1200. Something doesn't add up.

maybe my plan is cheaper because its a group high-deductible plan. Perhaps if I needed to buy an individual high-deductible policy the premium or deductible would be higher?

[cdcox]

maybe my plan is cheaper because its a group high-deductible plan. Perhaps if I needed to buy an individual high-deductible policy the premium or deductible would be higher?

Mine is a group plan.

The other thing that occurred to me is than mine is a family plan. You're single?

[alnorth]

Mine is a group plan.

The other thing that occurred to me is than mine is a family plan. You're single?

yep. I pay $10/check (plus some money/month into my HSA), employer pays $80/check. Works out to about $2,340/year. The deductibles and copays for different things and different situations and per occurances is complicated, but the annual maximum out of pocket is $4,250.

[Pablo]

I have BCBS health and dental through my work. Runs me just shy of $100 a month and I'm single. Haven't had to use either yet but it's fantastic coverage by account of my co- workers.

[BigRedChief]

I've had good health and dental insurance for about 20 years now. The only one that I didn't like was Humana HMO and switched to a PPO.

I get MRI's, tests and referrals without questions or denial.