Health Care

[~Laura and Nick~ 5]

My parents are really concerned because since my hubby lost his job, neither of us has health insurance.

They want to buy it for me and I'm not sure what company to go with.

Anyone have any recommendations??

Thanks a lot all!!!

[kaffy 2]

Are you and your husband eligible for coverage under the Continuation of Health Coverage Act (COBRA) until he finds a new job?

http://www.dol.gov/ebsa/faqs/faq_consumer_cobra.html

[mox 298]

Definitely look into COBRA. If his employer provided health insurance while he was employed, they *must* provide COBRA. He would have gotten something in the mail. If not, he should contact HR at his old workplace.

[~Laura and Nick~ 5]

Thanks guys.

Yeah, Nick knew about COBRA but it's extremely expensive...up to $500 dollars a month...and that is something we just don't have.

We are just getting by paying the bills with his unemployment without going into our savings so that's out.

Anyone else know any good companies?

[Chica Yeyé 41]

I don't sweetie pie; but tell me: does NJ have some sort of health aid for folks with low to no income? I know WA does.

Luvz yah stinkers, be strong (and don't get sick, mm'kay?)

[Mononoke28 135]

Thanks guys.

Yeah, Nick knew about COBRA but it's extremely expensive...up to $500 dollars a month...and that is something we just don't have.

We are just getting by paying the bills with his unemployment without going into our savings so that's out.

Anyone else know any good companies?

Unfortunately most private health insurance companies will charge around the same a month. It's pretty expensive, that's why so many Americans are currently without health insurance now days, they just can't afford it. I was one of them for a very long time, I searched everywhere but the less expensive one was COBRA at $400+ dollars, which is too much money in my opinion.

Good luck!

Diana

[mox 298]

Thanks guys.

Yeah, Nick knew about COBRA but it's extremely expensive...up to $500 dollars a month...and that is something we just don't have.

We are just getting by paying the bills with his unemployment without going into our savings so that's out.

Anyone else know any good companies?

If neither of you has any existing conditions, it might be possible to find something that costs less than COBRA. Otherwise, $500 might be cheap compared to what you'll be charged for pre-existing conditions.

As Len suggests, Google around for programs in your state. And if you've got any conditions such as diabetes, etc, there might be Federal programs for assistance. If you are pregnant, you automatically qualify for Medicaid.

Wish I knew more. There are private health insurance companies (just Google), but I don't know how they stack up against COBRA.

[TBoneTX 46,190]

COBRA is indeed expensive. Try Golden Rule insurance. They have plans of varying lengths, si man.

[CBR 0]

If you don't have any chronic problems and just want to know where to go when you get sick or injured, I'd look into free clinics. Doesn't get better than free. The doctors and nurses that staff free clinics usually do so on their own time & truely want to be there. I'm not sure how it is out by you, but here you'd be seeing the same docs that those with insurance are Paying to see. It's just an idea to get through a rough time until you have insurance.

If you have chronic illnesses that you or he take meds for, call the drug companies. Often they will mail months worth of freebies to patients in your situtation. I've helped many patients with the applications for this in the past.

What about Nick's doctor? Does he/she know about your insurance situation? Some of our docs here will continue to see their own patients & not charge temporarily in that situation. Labs & tests have to be paid out of pocket prior, but the office visit is free and samples are provided when possible.

I don't know what the attitudes of the doctors is out by you, but I'm just suggesting what I've seen happen where I work. It's worth asking. My parents pay for their health insurance and it's alot more than $500 a month. In addition to that any time they need anything there's a huge deductible. It's horrible. I don't want to sound pushy, but personally I'd check out these options (for freebies) before your parents fork out a ton of money which will result in you paying a ton of money for deductibles anyway.

I wish you the best of luck.

[MrsCat 6]

wow - great advice CBR

[beejay 125]

*edit* posted before I was finished writing

Edited November 20, 2008 by beejay

[Chica Yeyé 41]

wow - great advice CBR

Indeed

[beejay 125]

I remember going through this when my husband and I first moved home. It's not fun. We looked into Blue Cross Blue Shield for our state which had a variety of different coverage options. I'm not sure if you're in NY or NJ but here are some blue cross blue shield links for those two states

Blue shield healthy NY

or maybe this one if your in New Jersey

blue cross blue shield NJ

good luck!

[Reba 2]

Wow, $500 is CHEAP! Are you sure that's for both of you and not just for Nick? When I was between insurance policies, I was quoted $700 for COBRA, and if I were to lose my current job and insurance, it would probably run me about $800! I think they basically figure it as whatever your total policy costs now, which includes the employee's monthly premium payments, plus the employer subsidies, which is usually about the same.

So take a look at whatever your monthly payment was before Nick got laid off, then double it, that's probably what COBRA will cost you.

If you find a free clinic in your neighbourhood, that should work for stuff like sore throats, monthly bcp, and whatnot. But you can also search for "catastrophic medical insurance" which is much lower monthly payments, (usually about $100 per month) but only covers you for emergency care like car accidents and toilet seats falling off the space station and hitting you on the head. You REALLY don't want to be caught without insurance if that happens!

[Carlawarla 1]

I know nothing about COBRA sweetie, but Gene pays $1200.00 a month for BCBS. His employer pays $900.00, he pays $300.00 and that's a month. We have no pre-existing conditions and frankly the policy is one of the cheapest they have!

$500.00 sounds pretty attractive.

Let us know what you google or research about in case others are asking.

Actually I've seen other posts in this section, so you may be able to search for them and see what others have suggested.

Best of luck!