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Health Insurance

3K views 25 replies 17 participants last post by  gticlay 
#1 ·
I am in the market for some affordable insurance...assuming there are a few of you out there that like me, do not get insurance through job and would like to get some that is....

Affordable monthly payments and deductibles in the case I actually use it. Not a rich person here.

Seems most that are low monthly payments have such huge deductibles and coinsurance payments that you could never afford to use it if you needed to.

Insurance...seems to be a big scam but I need it.

Cheers
 
#2 ·
What state are you in? That'll matter. MA makes it semi easy to shop for your own health insurance. Thankfully, I don't have to do that any more.
 
#3 ·
It really depends on your health record and age (and where you live, too, of course).

When my COBRA ran out from my previous employer I could not get into any of the "normal" plans because I am T2 diabetic and was treated previously for high cholesterol. Suspect health history == no insurance. I literally had to recall and write down every time I had been to the doc in the previous 10 years. 10 years!!!

I eventually got into a "HIPPA" plan, which is "The plan we offer to people who we don't want to insure". :)

This was 10 years ago, my monthly premium has gone up 50% since then (they also hate insuring people over 40). My deductible is $2500/year, which while painful could be worse. My monthly payment is just under $700. Pain. :(

I expect minor changes when Obamacare kicks in in 2014, it will at least address part of the problem of having a pre-existing condition. I'm not expecting miracles though.

Ask around and see if you can find a health insurance broker that works in your state.
 
#4 ·
Going thru the same dilema. I have it now but with a $5,000 deductible it really is useless unless something major comes up. So I'm paying $250/mo for nothing as I'm relatively healthy. I'm going to drop it and just get an AFLAC accident plan - covers you for sports and auto mishaps as I understand it and much more suited to what we need. I'll be following this thread!

Have FUN!

G MAN
 
#6 ·
Just keep in mind most helicopter rides are NOT covered under your normal health insurance coverage. More than a few folks get a supplemental policy just for this.

A good way to think about health insurance is: take each individual decision point, and at that point think the most cravenly cynical and brutal thought you can about what the insurance company will do/won't do, will cover/won't cover. And assume the worst.

This saves disappointment later! :)
 
#7 ·
MA is actually one of the worst states for purchasing one's own insurance, unless you have pre-existing conditions (in which case it's the best by a long mile).

Insurance is quite simple, actually: the general rule of thumb is to get the deductibles as high as possible for you to be able to pay them without feeling financial pain. Low deductibles, dental plans, vision plans, and the like are simply cash cows for the insurance companies. Avoid all three like the plague whenever possible (ie, not in MA or in post-Obamacare land).

In non-MA/Romneycare locales, you can get good coverage for under $100/mo. Quite affordable. Get it while you can... : (
 
#12 ·
^^^ Absolutely right. My premiums have already gone up 33% since Obamacare passed, since they need to money to cover those who choose not to pay into the program. Get in while you can.

(And yes I know what I'm talking about, my significant other is an analyst for one of the big insurance companies. The goverment already dictates EVERYTHING they do and exactly how much they charge, sometimes the goverment even makes the insurace raise their rates if they're making less than 2% profit. If an insurance company goes out of business it's no good for their members.)
 
#10 · (Edited)
Throwing that $h!t in our tax paying faces makes you a dirtbag; The kind that needs to be eliminated through the election of a few Libertarian politicians to replace the defunct neo-cons and liberals in there now.

YOUR statement MAKES ME SICK! But as a Libertarian that supports the constitution, I back your right to say it.:thumbsup:
 
#11 ·
wow man. No reason to act that way. I pay the same taxes as you, I also pay for my insurance just like you. All I was saying was I'm glad my work offers a plan so I don't have to deal with the hassle of a private provider. I'm not trying to throw anything in anyones face.
 
#13 ·
Obamacare = FAIL .. Hopefully people will wake up and realize that the government is slowly taking away OUR rights and as mentioned before dictating everyone .. Soon it will be too late .. And if you dont have insurance you have to pay a fine/penalty at the end of the year .. We need a republican asap , socialist = fail capitalism = win

But back on topic , i dont have insurance but i do pay my bills. I like having a choice of having insurance or not . I am a working citizen that pays all my dues and taxes .
 
#14 ·
I was with blue shield....over 44 and paying 200 a month...My plan was pay the first 1000 or 1500 outright then 20% for next 2500 (once you meet your deductable for year you ...you don't pay anymore)

saved my @ss....I had over 600,000 in doctor bills with wrist surgery then losing my spleen form biking accidents
 
#19 ·
jerkoff comment from someone who doesn't understand what they are talking about. Unfortunate.
This is the neg rep that some $%#@*^&! won't even put their screen name on. :thumbsup:

If your offended by my statements, then come out and say so instead of pathetically hiding by not just hiding behind a screen name, but not even claiming it.:skep:

Pathetic:nono:
 
#24 · (Edited)
got canadian insurance here and private for dental, eyeglasses, and a bunch of other stuff... plus a pension plan with full care...

i'm also looking for a lead hand. if you have a curriculum vitae with some experence in industrial setting. fabracation skills a must (mig welding, basic machine shop, rigging] ... electric cylinders, pneumatics, encoders, plc's, etc... knowledge a plus.
lastly hvac/pipe fiter, tin knocker knowledge gets you to the front of the line...
 
#26 ·
I couldn't afford our not-so-great $900/month insurance anymore so I just switched to a high deductable HSA plan. You get a special health savings account at a bank that does them and pay for stuff out of the money you start saving in that. The insurance itself is higher deductable but pays for regular preventative care. If you don't have an issue, that money you are putting into the HSA is yours and the account operates a bit like an IRA. Anyway, you should look into it.
 
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