what do you "normal" people do for health insurance?

[uofom3]

can you define HMO and PCP
thanks and i appreciate your insightful input.

Around here it's HMO and PPO.

I believe that with a PPO, you have to go to doctors who are inside that PPO coverage, where as with an HMO you can go to whatever doctor you please (this could be ass backwards, but I think that's right).

If you aren't getting a job immediately, then go with COBRA - that seems to be what most people are on who are between jobs that I know of.

Also, many employers will require you to work for 90 days or so before that begin your coverage.

You want a plan that offers you the most flexibility in doctor choice, so be sure to examine that when you are looking at insurance options. I have Pacific Source and it's been great to this point. I'm also still student, so it is through my dad's policy, but I believe my coverage is about $90.00 a month... for my whole family (mom, dad, myself) it's about $300.00 I believe.

[Turf1600]

You should have COBRA. Use it

do you know how much cobra costs?

[jflip2002]

$64 A month for me through blue cross with the auto dealer discount. If I wanted to add a wife on, it goes up $120 a month. If it were me, Id try to claim poverty, and collect welfare =\

[nando]

Want to know what I do?

I live in Canada =)

ah, land of huge taxes and government spending. how are those specialists treating you? oh, you don't have any? is that why canadians come to the states when they need a specialist? :p

it's expensive in the US because malpractice insurance is $$$$. too many doctors get sued by people looking to make a quick buck (it's the same for medicine - thank you FDA). our insurance system is fine - it means that people who have a hangnail won't go to the doctor when they don't need to instead of going for any minor cut/bruise because it's "free".

so yeah, how are those taxes treating you? :p

[Turf1600]

Around here it's HMO and PPO.

I believe that with a PPO, you have to go to doctors who are inside that PPO coverage, where as with an HMO you can go to whatever doctor you please (this could be ass backwards, but I think that's right).

If you aren't getting a job immediately, then go with COBRA - that seems to be what most people are on who are between jobs that I know of.

Also, many employers will require you to work for 90 days or so before that begin your coverage.

You want a plan that offers you the most flexibility in doctor choice, so be sure to examine that when you are looking at insurance options. I have Pacific Source and it's been great to this point. I'm also still student, so it is through my dad's policy, but I believe my coverage is about $90.00 a month... for my whole family (mom, dad, myself) it's about $300.00 I believe.

You have HMO and PPO backwards. With an HMO you have to choose a PCP (primary care physician) from a list of accepted providers. With a PPO you can go wherever you want. Since it seems like he's worried about catastrophic events only - the HMO will be cheaper and serve this purpose just fine. With a PPO you're generally subject to a deductable (between $0 and $10,000) - after this deductable has been met your insurance will pay a set amount. With a HMO you generally just pay a co-pay for whatever - but you often have a lifetime max. Another benefit of a PPO is some offer a Max out of pocket - where after you spend a certain amount your insurance will cover 100%.

either way - cobra is generally mega expensive. I'd look to the smaller but good providers for cheaper insurance.

[Rigmaster]

do you know how much cobra costs?

Beat me to it. COBRA is expensive as shit. I don't know how they legally can get away with charging what they do. It's another Federal Gov't requirement that companies cover their employees after they leave the company (whether they're fired, quit, whatever) so that- in theory- people don't go too long without healthcare coverage.

I worked for the same company for 17 years, then they "reorganized" and all the hourly employees were terminated. One of the things I had to deal with was health insurance- I figured I'd just get COBRA since it was easy- but it was ~$1100 a month for my wife and myself!!! Fook that.

I went without for a while, but about 2 years ago I got insurance through Blue Cross Blue Shield of NC. Cost about $250/mo for myself and $275/mo for my wife and 5 year old son. Coverage is pretty good- but we have some high deductibles for RX's and other things, which I can live with, as long as we have good coverage for the big stuff, which we do.


I started a new job recently and they have company paid healthcare coverage, the copays and deductibles are about the same as what I have now. I talked to the owner of the company and he said it costs him about $280/month for each additional employee. If I want to add my wife + son it'll cost me another $500- so they're staying with BCBS.


Whatever you do, do NOT go with one of these "association" healthcare programs- most seem to be affiliated with Mega Life and Health insurance. It's the biggest ripoff you will ever see. We spoke to a sales rep about this, the cost seemed too good to be true, and the benefits did too- but then we read the fine print and they have all sorts of really low limits on what they pay out- like ~$5000 for a surgical procedure, etc. If they tell you that all you have to do is sign up for a consumer's association and pay the dues, then you're eligible for these great benefits- RUN the other way.


Bret.

[kylebes1]

save $300 per month while you are young and vital in George Bush's Health Savings Account. Which earns healthy interest and is tax free.

That way you are covered for catastrophe.

You will have to pay out of pocket for normal doctor visits, and what not... It works for me because men in my family are healthy.

The theory is keep and use your money instead of giving it for them to use. Then when you have a situation you use your own money.

[delfin]

im hoping the government will step up and take care of all my needs. i think private health care is over rated. we need more government and less choices.

How is it that no one calls out your trolls anymore? Hahaha

[Kruzen]

Benefits package. Bling bling. Life, dental, health, optical.

[Farbin Kaiber]

I just sit back and wait for blunt to say it like it is.

[mrsleeve]

I have full benefits through my job. low co pays an good scrip coverage.. Our dental is kinda weak but its not that bad.

[moatilliatta]

Anybody have plans on you own and not threw work?

[trashcop 80s 80s]

Anybody have plans on you own and not threw work?

~$80 a month for me with a high ass deductible.

[Turf1600]

~$80 a month for me with a high ass deductible.

don't you work at a hospital? What's the deal?

I have a 0 deductable 90% PPO

[z31maniac]

Beat me to it. COBRA is expensive as shit. I don't know how they legally can get away with charging what they do. It's another Federal Gov't requirement that companies cover their employees after they leave the company (whether they're fired, quit, whatever) so that- in theory- people don't go too long without healthcare coverage.

It's not like COBRA is some other provider or something. COBRA allows you to get the same insurance you had through the company you were working for, only now you pay ALL the premiums instead of your company paying for some or all of it.