A community of 30,000 US Transcriptionist serving Medical Transcription Industry

Employee offered insurance... not really better than my own?? - Confused

Posted: Jun 03, 2010

I am new to the MTSO thing. IC for 10 years and bought my own health insurance. It was $242.00 a month, and I let it go a few months ago after losing my job. Now I am being offered by my employer an HSA plan for around the same amount or a PPO plan for around $300.00. (this is them paying 60% and me paying 40% and that is what it equals??) This seems OUTRAGEOUS. Am I crazy?

I am single, no children, spouse... under 30....

What is some opinions on going with employer health insurance or trying to find your own?

I know lots of people read these things and never comment... I hope some people speak up, I'm really new at this MTSO thing and I'm thinking of maybe going with their dental and vision plan... but I've never looked into that elsewhere either... I know I have to do tons of research, but they have to have this back to them in 2 weeks... (we found this out yesterday - in which ive had a week planned vacation leaving in 2 days!!) ugh.

Really a tough call - Depends on so many factors

[ In Reply To ..]
Wow, it's such a tough call with the prices of insurance.

The MTSO for whom I work had a BC/BS plan that by all accounts should have been fantastic...at about $420 a month, but included medical, vision, dental, etc., and covered my husband and I. HORRIBLE policy. They wouldn't approve anything. Everything was subjected to "pre-existing conditions." It was like burning $420 a month.

At the first of the year, they switched to another carrier which I'd never of but they have approved literally EVERYTHING. Even though it costs about $5 or so a month more than that godawful BC/BS policy, I've saved about $600 on various co-pays, referrals, etc., since the beginning of the year. Although I'd never heard of them, when I first went to their website, I discovered there were over 200 physicians in my area that accepted this insurance, and every local hospital did as well.

My husband and I both have medical conditions that require monthly treatment, so we definitely need to have medical insurance. Perhaps if we were both healthy and I felt I could get away with purchasing a private policy to cover only MAJOR issues, I would have passed on the MTSO-provided policies. I know our ERs here in CA have started requesting anywhere from a $100-300 co-pay in advance and having insurance makes that easier to work around (I don't know many people these days with that kind of cash set aside for an unexpected ER visit).

I pretty much think the rate they're quoting you is within reason compared to my experience, but as to whether or not to sign up for it is a pretty personal decision.

Sorry if this rambled; it's early here for me and I'm still on my first cup of coffee, but I saw you needed info ASAP and wanted to let you know, IMHO, the charge for their insurance doesn't necessarily seem out of line to me.

Good luck, and enjoy that vacay coming up!

This is a BC/BS plan ... from their state - Confused

[ In Reply To ..]
This is where I get confused. They say that the plan based in their state does cover all 50 states... I am glad you brought up some stuff about what I will need the insurance for .. you didn't ramble :) I'm also on west coast time and was just in a baffle this morning! I got in trouble for not sending my lines on May 31 and I was like, ugh! that was a holiday and I didn't even turn ON my computer, and I just got up! (it was 930 my time... not so early theirs haha)... I am learning so much this past month of new employment and I'm just stressing out I know I need to take a deep breath... It's scary for me to not have insurance, but I took a pay cut to join this company as it is and can barely force myself to even get to full time status... I can't imagine a big chunk coming out of my paycheck like that...
You are right it is personal... Even though I'm very much an adult, I feel like such a child sometimes and still need my mom's help for stuff like this... I know I need to grow up and make the decision... but financially it's been tough for so long that this is just another thing that hurts.
I guess it's a risk not having it, just like anything else... it's meant to help if something DOES happen, but what if it doesnt... UGHHHHH :(

I definitely need the vacation... although if I'm serious about it, I am just going out of town, I still have to work... but at least I can throw some pool time in there :)

A policy of your own - Buying it myself

[ In Reply To ..]
I am just over 30 and for my 2 cents I'd say get the policy on your own. From what I hear on these boards it is hard to keep enough work from the MTSOs to keep your benefits. If you buy your own policy you aren't trapped with this company either. You can take a job with a higher pay if it comes along!! Especially being so young you know you aren't going to be with this company forever. Sometimes working 2 part time jobs is safer in this industry. Then at least if 1 company is slow you have the other to fall back on. Or if one company gets bought out by MedQuist (I'm just sayin!)

Especially if you were buying your own before and it cost roughly the same per month... Do take the time to compare the benefits though. I've seen it wildly vary for policies of the same cost.

Now one thing I want to stress to you is, get insurance -before- you turn 30 and don't let it lapse after that. The rates go WAY up if you are getting insurance after 30 without having prior coverage. You can change insurance companies but your rates will always be cheaper if you currently -have- insurance.

As a transcriptionist I know you've seen enough emergency cholecystectomy, appendectomy procedures to know that if this happens to you, you'll be SO glad you paid that insurance premium each month!! These things DO happen to younger people.

The other advantage is, that if you DO get sick you won't be in pre-existing condition hell for a year when you do buy insurance. This is totally frustrating but it was the only way I could get my condition covered. I had to pay for everything myself while at the same time paying the premiums, now that was a big chunk of my paycheck!

My favorite advantage of buying it myself is FREEDOM! I'm not dependent on my employer and am free to change jobs if I want to.

Good luck! And do try to relax by the pool!

An options for a 62-year-old (me) who did not take the MTSO Ins - because of $5000 deductible

[ In Reply To ..]
Unfortunately I ended up in the ER in early April (with a kidney stone) and the ER bill was close to 2 thousand, followup CAT stone almost the same, and seeing urologist another 2 thousand. I passed a 5 mm stone but still have a 9 mm stone that could dislodge at any time. Then I would need surgery and would really be up the creek. I make lowly wages, do not qualify for any aid in my state because I am just above the qualifying level. If anyone knows where I could get insurance without paying a terrible deductible, please let me know. Thanks for any help.

I know exactly what you mean - Really a tough call

[ In Reply To ..]
This was BC/BS out of Georgia that I was saddled with (the godawful one that wouldn't approve ANYTHING). The co-pay was $10 per office visit more than with this current plan and the prescription co-pay was also double (the ONLY thing it did pay). I've been awaiting surgery to remove a tumor for 8 months because of this insurance company denying everything or calling it out of network...just an unending nightmare of red tape and paperwork. The new carrier immediately approves everything within 3-5 days (sometimes sooner). The difference in responsiveness is amazing and, because I had to find a new PCP, I have to admit I feel like I've discovered an oasis; real doctors that call me at home to see how I'm doing, follow-up on referrals to make sure I've been contacted, etc. Without the transition to this new insurance carrier, I'd have never heard of this medical group, so everything apparently does happen for a reason.

If I were younger and in better health, I have to admit I'd be tempted to wing it without any insurance, either, and hope for the best. It just seems such a waste of money every month when you're young and relatively healthy and can truly go years without any serious illness or injury. Maybe it's cheaper to just put aside a reasonable amount ($500 or so) in case you needed to pay for an urgent care visit or ER visit rather than invest in a plan every month.

I'm with you...Sometimes I just want my mommy or daddy to decide these things for me, lol! The simplest decisions in life can be the most overwhelming to deal with!

I think I need a vacay too...I'm WAY too rambling today!

I'd do the employer thing for now... - cindyoh

[ In Reply To ..]
I have the BCBS plan through my employer (Diskriter)that runs me around $195 a month. I'm single, no kids. I did a bit of shopping around but everything else seemed higher and didn't cover as much. Happy with my plan and glad to have it, I'd be afraid to wing it.

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