Health Insurance Help!

[MKSquared]

Hrm.

I'm not currently covered, but I'm working on getting health insurance. (No lectures -- I'm working on it!) My current plan quoted me an estimate of $200 for my monthly premiums, and the official quote came back at more than $500!!! OK, I'm young and a non-smoker, but I'm overweight and have a non-threatening pre-existing condition. Mom wants me to get a maternity rider, but frankly, I don't see the need. Is the addition of the maternity rider a HUGE expense? I know so little about it all ...... Any suggestions on someone to go with while I'm substitute teaching?

[misskitty100]

Have you looked into getting insurance through Costco? I have heard they have some really affordable plans. Sorry I can't help with your questions above more....

[tbb113]

Mary Kate - I don't remember how much the maternity rider added to my insurance (since it was 17 years ago). I do remember that there is a waiting period before it kicks in (3 months? 12 months?)

IMHO - unless you are planning on becoming pregnant or are having unprotected sex, you don't need the rider. You should be able to add it when you need it....

[donleyk]

No help here MK, sorry. On the butter thread I asked how the job search was going so I see here you are subbing. I hope it turns into something. Are you still in the Columbus area?

I did want to agree about the rider... not necessary if you aren't trying to get pregers.

[mightyh]

I'm not selling this product, I swear!

My school suggested this insurance for those post-grad times when you are in between jobs and, thus, health insurance. I used it right when I got out of college (10 years ago) and was looking for my first job and my brother has used it in a similar situation in the past few years. Check it out and see what you think...

https://www.temporaryinsurance.com/stm/Zip/

[blazedog]

I feel your pain as I have to pay for medical insurance and rates for personal coverage are out of sight.

That said, the rate seems high for someone in your age group. In your circumstances, I would suggest opting for a high deductible which should lower the monthly fee. You wouldn't be covered for normal medical expenses but you would be covered for catastrophic stuff.

If you have a pre-existing condition and want to be covered for the medical expenses covered with it, you will have to pay a lot for personal insurance. You need to run the numbers -- the cost of your doctor visits/medication for the year versus the savings by self insuring yourself for these costs and opting for a high deductible plan.

[Goin' Coastal]

How about checking with your college's alumni association? I know for a couple years after my DDs graduated from college we got tons of mail offering health insurance. Many of the envelopes had the school as part of the return address.

I have been keeping my fingers crossed for my oldest daughter. She hasn't had health insurance since she dropped off our policy almost 2 years ago. She is done with graduate school in Dec, and I am most looking forward to her getting a full time job and HEALTH INSURANCE!

Good luck on the continuing job hunt! Hang in there - I know of a number of teachers who have gotten full time positions after paying their dues and subbing a while.

[AZLorena]

Hubby was on private insurance for the past 2 years before we became just utterly disgusted with it. When we first signed him up his payment was $174/month. By the time that we ditched it (and put him on my insurance) we were paying $536/month. Yes, that's right, it was only in 2 years that his premiums were raised that much.

Here is what I understood from dealing with those insurance brokers. You particular health is not what determines the cost (unless you have some catastrophic illness.....my husband's diabetes was not counted as catastophic....because it is maintainable....he is insulin dependent and actually has few lingering issues related to his illness because he manages so well.) The cost seems to be determined by the average "cost" it takes to cover someone in that age group. I say that because when we signed up, just for kicks I asked them how much it would be to cover me....and my premium amount was a lot higher (even higher than your quote). The explanation for that was that I was child bearing age.....even though I am in great health (except about 40 more lbs that I would like to lose).....with absolutely no history of anything major in my family, non-smoker...etc...etc. This made no sense to me because DH and I have made the choice to not have children and have made steps to make that a permanent decision....why should I pay for some other women to have babies. So anyway, that is what I was told ......You might want to ask why the premium is so high.

Lorena

[lhall]

When I was out of college and not employeed full time I ended up getting some short term major medical insurance. My parents were generous and paid the premiums. I got 18months of coverage with a $1000 deductable. Basically it would pay for any major accident or illness, but not routine stuff. I'm pretty sure the coverage came in 6m increments.

MK, I'm not sure if something like that would work for you or not.

Leigh

[blazedog]

My understanding of private insurance is that it is the average cost of your age group UNLESS you are booted into a higher risk category because of a condition such as diabetes or being overweight. At least that's how it works in California -- if you have had health insurance, you must be offered health insurance but it will be as part of the high risk pool with higher rates for minimal coverage. That's why you have to fill out an application with a complete medical history for private health insurance -- if you haven't had a recent enough physical, you will be required to take one at your expense.

Some people with pre-existing conditions are actually uninsurable unless the state mandates a high risk pool which carries higher premiums. In California (my state) you can be denied coverage unless you have been covered by a policy for a set period of time prior to the application.

Hopefully, the shocking state of affordable health insurance coverage which is now available only to those who work for large corporations is impacting enough middle class people so that they will start pressuring Congress for meaningful reform.

[ChristieinMB]

I agree about not getting the preg rider. I recommend going to a broker website online doing a cost comparison. I have BC, am 57, normal weight, no preexisting, but my plan is $271 per month. My 27 year old son is $172. We both have high deductibles, but pay very little out of pocket. Remember even if you don't reach your deductible you still get insurance benefits with lower payment for service and covered expenses.
Christie

[Jsmith82]

I feel your pain. My company has no group policy, so we have to go out and find our own insurance. I ran into a similar situation with pre-existing conditions and just found the whole process frustrating and confusing. I ended up finding an insurance broker who was so helpful. He knew how several companies would categorize my condition and called those he was unsure of. And he calls me whenever my rates go up (generally yearly :( ) and we switch when it makes sense. My current monthly rate is $215 and it is about to go up again. If I recall correctly, the maternity/pregnancy rider was pretty expensive. I am getting married in a few weeks and will be so happy to get on my soon-to-be husband's policy. Good luck!