S2Koupe

So I'm a single guy thats just contracting work now. I figure i should get some health insurance again. before i would just choose the PPO from my company plan and that would be it.

i feel i only need to see a doctor for physicals, like once a year, if at all. usually only when its required to fill out a medical form.

im HOPING i never get into an accident and end up in the ER, but basically thats all i feel like im really insuring myself against and just dont want to get screwed. i'm not accident prone and dont have any disabilities or medications that i need. in fact ive never been to the hospital as an adult. i just figure my time is coming...


so what advice do you guys have? companies and types of plans? whats a reasonable deductible amount? say i break a leg snowboarding. whats that gonna cost me?


thanks.

1036AP2

i wish you good luck.
choosing health care is like flicking your nuts
i just had to rechoose my health plans for this year after my first son was born in oct, i turn 30 in feb and it is a new year
plans all got jacked up, jumped from $279 to $550!
had to make some adjustments, but back down to $350
my son is on the better plan along with my wife and i get the crap plan
which is fine since i rarely go to the dr.
im with kaiser btw
good luck!

s2keepup

considering u rarely go, i would just put $ in savings.....ur going to end up paying alot to have a low deductible, or you end up w a high deductible that a healthy person like u will prolly never reach in a year anyways. usually ur car insurance has a health coverage section in the policy if ur injured in ur car. even under 25 insurance is still pretty pricey. you can get an "emergency only" type plan where it covers basically just ER or major events (no dr visits, or Rx plan) for like $50-$75 a month.

if you still want a basic plan, an HMO is gonna be cheaper. PPO really only comes in handy when you need out of the ordinary... ie: you need a specialist or u need odd Rx...or if you really feel it necessary to choose ur dr at any time. alot of HMOs will have lower deductables, lower co-pays, and lower Rx copays.

just pick a company you feel comfortable with. I can tell you from years of corporate HR experience i would stay away from HealthNet. Pacificare was amazing on all fronts (both to get approved with and when it came time to use them) when i went independent. Blue cross/shield are major PITA to get approved with and might even cost more but they have really good coverage.

ur level of coverage in a major accident is really going to vary depending on what yo u pick. if you are concerned about that, then compare what your % copay is for emergency coverage. some companies include surgeries, sometimes they specify differently. the % they state is the % you are responsible for. So if you break your leg and you need ER services, they will cover it and bill you for the rest. If you break your leg but just go see your physician, then it depends what your dr visit coverage is, and possibly your lab fee coverage is.

its alot like chess..... you make one move for coverage in one place but you end up leaving another wide open. of course with enough $ you cover it all, but then u end up wasting it.

good luck. i used to help ppl w junk like this all the time tho so PM me if u ever need any help deciphering this health talk haha

humara

obamacare yo!
can't get it now but why pay for something when your government wants to give it to you for free.

xuberant

I was in the same spot as you when I was trying to choose a new healthplan. Last year I wound up paying over $4,000 for just myself with PPO health insurance. Seeing as I work for an extremely large company, that was why i paid so much. I now have chosing to go with HSA ( Health Savings Account). My co-payments are going up to $50 per visit, but last year I went only 4 times to the doctors to get medication. My deductible is going to be alot higher I believe 30% or so, but I am healthy and dont plan on going to the doctors for anything serious. In the end HSA I only pay $84/month which means I will be saving alot more money.

S2Koupe

yeah im leaning towards a lumenos HSA compatible HDHP with a $5000 deductible for $70/mo. then put away a thousand or so each year into the account. in 2 or 3 years, i can cover my own deductible.

thats the plan so far. the more i read about HSA, the more it makes sense to me.

the easy mode would be the TONIK plan, $91 with dental and copays. not HSA compatible.

is there another HSA compatible plan you guys recommend?

sokdo

check out costco health/dental care. heard it's good stuff

ethro500mg

I know a lot of great agents that always help my family and friends out. Email me .... ethro500mg@yahoo.com

davidc1

Go here http://www.consumerreports.org/health/insu...h-insurance.htm and read up before you do anything. It's the best source of unbiased info. And your situation is exactly why we need to get some sort of national health care plan passed.

S2Koupe

well i just finished my online application for a Lumenos HSA compatible plan. $3000 ded + $2000 max out of pocket for $75/mo. we'll see if they change the rate on me, im sure they wont reject me... i have no prior history or anything. just a normal young 30 something.

i honestly dont care for dental insurance. for $20/mo and seeing the dentist for cleanings only, theres no point. same with vision.

i think HDHP + HSA is the way to go for me. everything i read says its the best thing for someone like me. we'll see how it turns out.