Individual Health Insurance... who has it or knows about it?

[TROLL]

Anyone have their own health insurance (not through their place of work)? Just curious what type of plan you have and why you chose it.

I spoke to a really helpful agent who recommended a high deductible health savings account type of setup for me since I don't take any regular meds or have any regular doctors visits. Seems like it could work out nicely but its a bit more complicated and takes some more organization.
Other options would be a normal deductible policy, or a HMO or PPO, etc.

Just figured I'd see if anyone has any input on things. I know its all a balance of cost/coverage so its a sliding scale.

Thanks in advance!
Bryan

[crazyduckme]

I am paying for my own insurance right now. It was just supposed to last me till I got a full-time job with benefits, but after a year, I'm still on contract.

I currently have Aetna. It's an Open choice plan. It's pretty basic, but I don't go to the doctors too often.
I did, however, go to the emergency room a couple of months ago... and it covered basicially everything except an Ultrasound which was pretty pricey. But my bill was over $6k and I only had to pay $400 of it.

There are MUCH better Aetna plans btw... I just have a fairly basic one. Unfortunately, I pay $205 for my damn plan. Totally sucks!! But all that matters is that I'm covered by someone!

[TROLL]

I've been looking at plans anywhere between $100-$150 a month for the most part, depending on coverage and the type of plan it is. Seems not all that bad actually to be honest. My employer offers the option to go with their benefits plan but for the cost of it I feel I can do better on my own. Didn't think that would be the situation but the individual health insurance isn't as expensive as I expected (again, depending on many factors).

[crazyduckme]

I had blue cross/Blue Shield for a long long time, but the individual plan my parents wanted me to get was way more then I wanted to pay.

I'm currently looking at getting a different plan. I'm tired of paying $205 for minimum coverage I barely use. LOL!

[underpressure02]

I dont know much about the individual plans but I would look into what they cover for hospital/er emergencies and surgery. I went into the ER out here in Chicago for what I thought was just a stomach bug for a few weeks and turned out I been walking around with an appendicitis. They took it out that day I got the bill which they submitted to ins and it was over 26K and I was in the hospital for less then a day. So it will be interesting to see how much is covered.

[Got Insulin?]

This is a topic that is rapidly approaching in my own future, but I'm on the opposite side of the fence. My condition requires regular doctor's visits and a few yearly or twice-a-year specialist visits, plus the pretty large costs of insulin and supplies. My current employer has nothing to offer me in the way of benies, so I've been on the search for the last year or so for something that is cost effective and has enough coverage come January when I gradumacate.

[jpalamar]

Julie and I are experts, well mostly her. since she is self employed and has migraines(previous condition). We went thuogh hell with insurance privately. I'll give her my user/password so she can post info that we found.

[The Alchemist]

I got self insurance.

Im self employeed and its something that is needed.


I have Horizon PPO blue cross of NJ.

I pay about 160 a month for it.

When you buy a plan make sure that your emergency room visits are covered above like 500 bucks. You dont want a plan that gives you coverage above 2000 bucks. I went to hospital one time for 4 stitches in my arm and they charged me 3g's for it. But I have good plan so I only paided 250.

I had a nurse go over my plan for me before I bought it and she said it was good.

Doctor co pays are 30 bucks.

These plans are tricky to buy just make sure that you dont buy a bull **** plan like E-Health insurance.

[angdefeo]

You have to analyze the low monthly premium versus the high deductible. Or just the opposite. Alchemist’s post is very on point about what it costs to visit the emergency room. Same thing for medicines and hospital stays.


Depending which broker you can use to find the insurance you might be able to get into that is designed for small business owners. It allows all small business owners to get together and pool their insurance needs in order to get a better premium.

The lower cost monthly premium’s are generally associated with HMO’s. Also before you choose, make sure that the doctors and hospitals in any group are in your area. Analyze what the “out of network” costs in case you do need to see a doctor which is not covered in your group. In cases like this you first have to pay the doctor directly then submit receipts to the insurance for reimbursement. Here is where it gets complicated. The insurance tells you when your shopping that you will be reimbursed at 75-85% for the out of network expenses after you meet the deductible. But what is not clear that they will reimburse at the 75% rate of the “set rate” for each specialty. For example, you see an out of network dermatologist and the visit costs you $200. Insurance company has the rate set at $150 for reimbursement. So you submit your 200 receipt and only get back $112.50 (150x75%).

The other thing to consider when your shopping around for insurance is that your most likely getting vision and dental care from your work. Vision and dental care are not covered under regular health insurance.

[Chris B.]

I went through a period of time when I worked for Xerox between 2002 and 2005 where I paid for my own health insurance. Xerox was under restricted hiring at the time, so I had to work as a contractor for at least a year, then a Xerox temp for 18 months before I became an employee with full benefits.

I ended up going to this site:
http://www.ehealthinsurance.com/
Then I searched for the types of plans they offer in my price range and picked one best suited for me. They offered plans through Aetna, Blue Cross, and some other well known companies. You can choose your decuctible, type of plan, copay, and monthly cost.

I had no issues with the company and they would follow up regullarly to see if I had any issues with my insurance.

[cmr076]

i just got a bill for 1900 dollars yesterday... apparently i have THREE polices, one through my dads company, one ive been paying 300/month for and one through my work ALL THROUGH BLUE CROSS! i have some phone calls to make tomorrow.

[SovXietday]

I pay my own, blue cross here.

125 a month
$25 copay
$100 a night hospital
10-20-50 medication
$50 xray

Take into consideration I'm young and have no pre existing problems. So it will probably be a little bit more expensive for others.