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Does anyone have health insurance plan that is a bit more reasonable? - MT

Posted: Dec 02, 2012

I'm a poor, struggling medical transcriptionist, as most of us are. I'm six years away from receiving Medicare benefits and have been struggling to pay medical insurance the last few years. I just found out my premiums are going up from $256 to $308 monthly starting Jan. 2013. This insurance is not great, does not even pay for x-rays. Does anyone have an insurance plan that is a bit more reasonable? I am not young, but do not have any pre-existing conditions and really don't use the insurance but feel like I must have it. Any suggestions would be welcomed.

Try ehealthinsurance.com - sm

[ In Reply To ..]
That is where my husband and I found our private health insurance. They will give you quotes for a bunch of companies in your area. It really worked out well for us. I do have pre-existing conditions and we pay about $175/mo to cover my husband, myself, and our 5-year-old son.

Hope this helps!

that would be fine for someone.... - anon

[ In Reply To ..]
who is young enough to have a 5-year old child, but when you get to the age of 50 and above, the monthly payments at least double, and it depends a lot on what state you live in, as well. good luck, but don't count on anything spectacular.

Is it possible for ANYONE on this board to - be positive???

[ In Reply To ..]
Jeez.....

It's worth a try, it's free, and it explores most of the companies in your area that offer private pay insurance.

Glad I don't live in your world...I'd probably just go stick my head in the oven if everything was always so bleak and dire!! I really feel bad for you...how sad....

Health insurance - Anonymous

[ In Reply To ..]
Sorry if this comes across as negative, but what you are currently paying is probably what you will pay if you obtain your own insurance and the coverage may not be as good, group rates are generally better than individual policies. I'm 58 and investigated health insurance when I was temporarily laid off. I got quotes on line and also consulted an agent. To have x-rays, presciptions and lab work covered is very expensive, so look at the coverage, not just your monthly rate, when choosing insurance, also look at the deductibles. If you need meds, many pharmacies offer 90 day generic plans regadless of insurance coverage, that are incredibly cheap. Set some money aside in savings to cover some of your health insurance costs (HSA plan). I was able to stay with my employer so ended up being able to keep my insurance, but for 2013 our coverage changed and employees are paying a portion of their premiums for the first time ever, increased costs are affecting everyone. That is the reality of the situation even though it may not be what people want to hear.

very truthful and honest post...not negative at all - even though some may

[ In Reply To ..]
disagree due to their OWN circumstances. I had mentioned above that for someone young enough to have a 5 year old child, the group rate they have and had gotten through einsurance, may not be the same for someone over 50, single, in a different state, and got slammed for being "negative." I was not trying to appear negative, only that there are different rates for different situations. I also had obtained individual rates from several insurance companies, also going through einsurance, as well, and the rates I was quoted were twice what the other poster stated, with deductibles of $3000 or more, per "incident", not just annually, and what they covered was not acceptable to me. I rarely go to the doctor unless I am on my deathbed, and just meeting the $3000 deductible would absolutely never happen, so I figured why should I pay someone upwards of $350 a month for something I would never come close to being able to use anyway. I asked an insurance agent that very question at that time and he stated, "well, this is primarily for something catastrophic that may happen." Catastrophies can and do happen, but not all the time, and I just cannot afford to just hand over $350 a month on the slight chance that some catastrophy may befall me. This was at least 5 years ago, as well, and I am sure the "going rates" for my age group would be much higher now and with even higher deductibles and less coverage. So, I was not trying to be "negative", just stating the facts as I have experienced them. Those who want to slam me for saying this...so be it. I hope your insurance payments are different, but they were not for me. Good luck to whoever is searching.

Truthful - Anonymous

[ In Reply To ..]
Thanks, that is what I found to be true for me although I've noticed that whenever someone tries to tell it like it is, they are blasted for being "negative." One thing about the high deductible plans, they all cover preventive care so that you can get your Pap smears, mammograms and annual doctor visits if you need, as long as you are being seen for well care. The deductibles may be high but remember that things can change in a heartbeat. You could become injured, and even an overnight hospital stay can cost 20K. I think you could do better than $3000 "per incident" but as you say things vary by state. Non-smokers qualify for lower rates too, so if you don't smoke ask about that. Anyway, good luck. The younger people will learn as they go because as we know, nothing stays the same forever....

about gambling with insurance... - anon

[ In Reply To ..]
I recently toyed with the idea of going part-time for various reasons. In the end, I just didn't feel comfortable going without health insurance, even though I'm healthy and in my mid 30s, so I stayed full time. Well, recently I found a lump in my breast and need a mammogram. If I had gone part-time, I would be having to foot the bill myself (which I could not afford), as well as anything further the results could lead to.

My advice is that if you gave decent insurance for several hundred dollars, you're probably lucky and won't find much better. And gambling with skimpy insurance, or none at all, is truly a gamble.

life is a gamble day to day... - but

[ In Reply To ..]
I cannot hand out $350 a month or higher when I don't have enough now to even cover my mortgage. I have been living on my savings since I lost three clients to EMR two months ago. I have since taken on three new clients, but none of them come near to giving me enough work to pay my bills. My savings is being depleted monthly. Insurance is about the last thing on my mind these days. I appreciate your advice, but it is just not doable for me.

If you have house or auto - insurance...sm

[ In Reply To ..]
double check with the company(ies) to see if they offer discounts. Mine did not offer much in the way of savings, but yours might. Good luck.

Health Insurance - me

[ In Reply To ..]
You have a great deal where you are. I am paying over $1000 per month, and that is a huge discount, as I am getting it through my business as an IC. My husband lost his job and healthcare along with it years ago.

health insurance - MT

[ In Reply To ..]
Thanks to all who answered, positive or not, and I will definitely check out ehealthinsurance.

try this site, too - sm

[ In Reply To ..]
http://www.healthcare.gov/index.html

I think I may have some options when the State Health Insurance exchange kicks in. Over 50, too, and realize that there are limited options at this age.

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