If you have health insurance through your employer

[Usui Takumi 1,562]

My contract says I pay zero for my insurance, but since Nov. 08 I've had to cover it myself ~$40 every two weeks because of the economy. My wife is on Kaiser so hers is about 140 a month. Thats about $220 a month then which I think is actually very high since I'm in my late 20's and she's in her mid twenties. We pay about 5% of our income when you consider average levels of prescriptions/her contacts etc.

Ironically that last time I went to a doctor was in April 2007.

Edited October 19, 2009 by Sousuke

[mawilson 2,133]

to cover my family I pay almost $700 a month. PLUS 25-50 dollar copays and an annual cap on spending. More than once I have considered dropping it - my rationale being, the walk-in clinic down the street charges a flat 75 bucks a visit, so really we could go to the doctor 10 times a month for that money, which never happens. But I am scared of an accident, or an unexpected serious illness or catastrophe, so I keep shelling out more than 15% of my monthly income for the coverage. But you can bet I am watching the health care debate and developments like a hawk.....

That's a shocking amount to be paying monthly. Is that coverage through your work?

I wonder if it would be cheaper to save that $700/month in a health savings account and

just pay cash - in full - for doctor visits.

It could... until on the off chance something catastrophic happens and you end up in hospital and after treatment and discharge you get hit with a $xxx,xxx bill

So if something catastrophic happens, you declare bankruptcy and write that shіt off.

[kaffy 2]

that's the American way it seems

[LaL 418]

Just got our renewal package. No change. Went from 1.63% of salary to 1.75%.

One thing I found interesting was this:

Key Plan Design Changes

Medical Plans

> For all health plans, any day or number of visit limitations for the treatment of mental health and/or alcohol drug benefits will be removed due to the recently enacted Mental Health Parity Act.

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

Wow, what crisis?

[LaL 418]

Wow, what crisis?

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

That's great news. Hopefully I have similarly positive news once our open enrollment materials arrive.

[MrsCat 6]

That's great news. Hopefully I have similarly positive news once our open enrollment materials arrive.

Ours just went up 26%. Hawaii is so broke.

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

That's great news. Hopefully I have similarly positive news once our open enrollment materials arrive.

Ours just went up 26%. Hawaii is so broke.

there is no crisis... there is a crisis... there is no crisis.... there is a crisis... which one will we be on when the music stops?

the american legislative process, simplified.

[AlHayatZween 2]

to cover my family I pay almost $700 a month. PLUS 25-50 dollar copays and an annual cap on spending. More than once I have considered dropping it - my rationale being, the walk-in clinic down the street charges a flat 75 bucks a visit, so really we could go to the doctor 10 times a month for that money, which never happens. But I am scared of an accident, or an unexpected serious illness or catastrophe, so I keep shelling out more than 15% of my monthly income for the coverage. But you can bet I am watching the health care debate and developments like a hawk.....

That's a shocking amount to be paying monthly. Is that coverage through your work?

I wonder if it would be cheaper to save that $700/month in a health savings account and

just pay cash - in full - for doctor visits.

The only problem with that is sometimes when you don't have insurance, but still have $$ to pay for services, you get shafted. You get charged a higher rate and the doctors treat you with kid gloves (not giving you all the tests you might be asking for, etc...) because you're uninsured. And even if you argue and say you've got your expenses covered, they are still shady with you...

That, and as someone mentioned, if a catastrophe occurs or you get diagnosed with something tragic, that's it, you're dead.

[Christi and Ian 24]

The County gives me a $600 allowance to spend on insurance. I spend about $450/month between medical, dental and vision, the rest of my allowance, they put on my paycheck, paid out bi-weekly. Yesssss...

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

That's great news. Hopefully I have similarly positive news once our open enrollment materials arrive.

Ours just went up 26%. Hawaii is so broke.

This just in on our corporate intranet: 3% increase in premiums on the Blue Cross PPO, greater than 3% on all others.