Health Insurance

Exit99 · Feb 1, 2015

Anyone out there have advice for a noob on getting health insurance? This will be the first time ever we won't be covered under an employer's plan. I have spoken to a few people and just wanted to throw it out there for the forum...

Like, should I get a broker to help me? Would that be the best way to sift through all the hype (crap)? What's an average monthly premium?

Thanks all!

Greg · Feb 1, 2015

Not sure if it applies to everyone, everywhere, but mine is based on age, residency and smoker status. This for an individual plan, without subsidy (government interference)

Daffyduck528 · Feb 1, 2015

I called my previous insurance and got an individual plan. I'm happy with it so far but it's not the cheapest.

Mailer · Feb 2, 2015

If you haven't seen it, you can put in some numbers and get an instant estimate for the monthly premium. It's based on adjusted gross income(AGI).

https://www.healthcare.gov/see-plans/

Exit99 · Feb 2, 2015

Mailer said:
If you haven't seen it, you can put in some numbers and get an instant estimate for the monthly premium. It's based on adjusted gross income(AGI).

https://www.healthcare.gov/see-plans/

Yeah, I knew it wouldn't be cheap. But I did go there and had to restart my heart and remind my lungs to suck in air...severe reality check! Used to the employer-subsidized prices...

Oh well, we don't get sick much. Thanks for the input, gang

Anyone else wanna weigh in?

davekc · Feb 2, 2015

Exit99 said:
Yeah, I knew it wouldn't be cheap. But I did go there and had to restart my heart and remind my lungs to suck in air...severe reality check! Used to the employer-subsidized prices...

Oh well, we don't get sick much. Thanks for the input, gang

Anyone else wanna weigh in?

Obama wants to make sure you are "doing your fair share". Someone has to pay for all the people that don't have it.

ysracer · Feb 3, 2015

Exit99 said:
Yeah, I knew it wouldn't be cheap. But I did go there and had to restart my heart and remind my lungs to suck in air...severe reality check! Used to the employer-subsidized prices...

Oh well, we don't get sick much. Thanks for the input, gang

Anyone else wanna weigh in?

Yes, I will. Are you using adjusted gross income, i.e. after deductions ? Also, look at the Silver level plans as they have the max subsidy and you will have better coverage at less cost (premium and out of pocket) than the Gold plans. Last year I paid $288.00 per month for Blue Cross/Blue Shield Gold plan. This year, I raised my income estimate by $2k but, by choosing Silver Blue Cross/Blue Shield plan my premium is $67.00/month. Out of pocket max for the year went from $3200.00 to $500.00. Doctor visits went from $25.00 pcp/$45.00 specialist to $10.00/$25.00, respectively.

For a broader comparison, 2 years ago I was on a employer provided health care plan. Total premium was $580.00/month, of which I paid $164.00. Out of pocket was $3700.00/year and doctor visits were $25.00/$35.00.

Do yourself a favor, ignore the "Obama is the devil" crowd, and do your own research. Find a insurance agent to walk you thru the process, if necessary. You can them enter their code when applying, and they will get credit for the sale.

Hurry ! The clock is ticking. If you miss the enrollment deadline you will have to wait until next year.

SWTexas1 · Feb 3, 2015

Just some advice from a former health insurance agent. Work with an agent you know, or was referred to you by an agent. When looking at these plans some look really good, until you look at things such as " in network" are you really cover two states over when you get sick under a load. " out of pocket" is that for the calendar year or per incident. The same with " deductibles per year and incidents, and max family's ". Some of theses plans have great looking monthly premiums, but you may not be getting what you think. Work with someone who knows the market and spends the the time to get to know you and your family. You may pay a little more but you will know what you have. You won't have to find out the hard way that your not cover like you thought you were. Just my two cents .

You know what Santa Claus, the Easter Bunny, and the prefect Health insurance plan have in common?

They don't exist

Exit99 · Feb 3, 2015

Ah, the voice of reason! Thanks again to all who commented...See you all out there soon!

layoutshooter · Feb 3, 2015

We lost 100% of our coverage. Went from a plan we could afford, to nothing. We have spent well over 100 hours on the phone, countless emails to senators etc, since 19 Dec. No progress.

davekc · Feb 3, 2015

Well, we will be covered but not anywhere like before. More than double the premium, double the deductible in network, and when in Florida, it is 20k. Take the cheaper plan and it is between 30k and 40k. Insane to say the least. Unless you have these huge deductibles, you have no insurance.
All kinds of little places they limit or provide no coverage. We don't get any subsidies but it is clear we are paying for those who do get them. Oh, I did get maternity care that I didn't have before.

layoutshooter · Feb 4, 2015

davekc said:
Well, we will be covered but not anywhere like before. More than double the premium, double the deductible in network, and when in Florida, it is 20k. Take the cheaper plan and it is between 30k and 40k. Insane to say the least. Unless you have these huge deductibles, you have no insurance.
All kinds of little places they limit or provide no coverage. We don't get any subsidies but it is clear we are paying for those who do get them. Oh, I did get maternity care that I didn't have before.

Yeah, that maternity care for me is a MUST! What a freakin joke! I'll tell you one thing the ONLY way we can afford what we had, before it was made "less expensive", would be form ME to get knocked up and then sell the rights to the story to the National Enquirer. Then at least I could use the maternity coverage that MEN, and women who are beyond child bearing age, are FORCED by law to have.

Mrs Layoutshooter was on the phone AGAIN, today, for over an hour, with some brain dead government hack, being told that it now takes time to fix these problems. SHOOT, the pony express could move information faster by horse back then this pea brained government system can do with massive computers and an army of idiots to answer the phones.

davekc · Feb 4, 2015

I think they will be resistant to just about any kind of change unless it involves raising the rates.

layoutshooter · Feb 4, 2015

davekc said:
I think they will be resistant to just about any kind of change unless it involves raising the rates.

Raising rates, curtailing freedom, and taking control of people's lives is ALL they are after. Only fools believe that this is "good" for anyone.

Unclebob · Feb 4, 2015

It could be worse. Insurance companies could use Obamacare as a smoke screen to raise rates and make even more profits. They could blame it all on Obamacare.

It's a good thing they have such high morals.

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

ysracer · Feb 4, 2015

layoutshooter said:
Raising rates, curtailing freedom, and taking control of people's lives is ALL they are after. Only fools believe that this is "good" for anyone.

Rates have risen exponentially for as long as I have been privy to the coverage/cost equation, or 24 years.

"They" have less control of me now, as insurers must offer me coverage that was previously unavailable to me.

Only fools think the existing system worked. This "insurance reform" is a one step forward, two steps back first effort. But that's largely a result of the insurance, big pharma, and medical establishment ensuring they all profited, or it was a non-starter.

layoutshooter · Feb 4, 2015

Unclebob said:
It could be worse. Insurance companies could use Obamacare as a smoke screen to raise rates and make even more profits. They could blame it all on Obamacare.

It's a good thing they have such high morals.

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Not to worry, those in power are getting their kick backs.