Health Insurance/Extortion

[hostage]

Right now I am kind of stuck in a bad place with health insurance. First problem is I live in NY State, where insurance is 3 or 4 times higher than other states. Secondly my employer doesn't have a health insurance program for me, I am a contractor. I am 29, in good health, have little to no medical expenses, both my old man and sister are doctors, so if I have a problem I call them or send them a photo.

Well the company I work for use to do business with a health insurance broker that decided to only do business with sole proprietors. At first the insurance wasn't bad, then they raised the monthly premium by 50% last year and then are going to raise it an additional $75/month next year. Other than the premium the plan isn't bad, but it just gets my goat that I put a lot more into the bucket than I could ever see taking out. If I was a sole proprietor, I could switch to a $185 high deductible plan that would save me lots of money, but now I am stuck paying about $450/month for something I don't use?

My dad a strong supporter of having insurance changed his opinion when I told him the premium. Instead of lecturing me about getting insurance, he actually suggested that I could even put $450 away in an account every month to protect me in case of an emergency. I would rather worry about having no insurance, then be pissed off at the world every time I sent a check to pay for the premium. I hate that pissed at the world feeling. We are talking about $6,000/year and on top of that all the taxed services that I pay for that I do not qualify for.

Does anyone have any suggestions on what to do? I heard there are co-ops etc. Almost every insurance company I spoke to says they don't sell insurance to individuals and the one that did wanted to charge me $1000/month.

Also are they going to really charged me a fee, if I don't have insurance?

I really need to move back down to Texas.

-Hostage

 

[gonefishie]

Re: Health Insurance/Extortion

If you don't have to have health insurance for work then you should save the money like suggested. Lot of places give discount for paying cash for medical services.

Or marry a chic with good benefits.

 

[Brewman61]

Re: Health Insurance/Extortion

Yeah, $6K per year is a lot to pay. On the other hand, it's considerably less than one day in the hospital- which to me is where your real risk is.
Typically a doctors office visit around here for a small magnitude visit is around $120. Budget another $100 if you need a prescription filled.
Those types of costs you can easily pay out of pocket- it'd be cheaper than $450 per month, unless you got really sick (appendix, cancer, accident of some type, etc.........).

Yes, you could bank that $450 per month- the question is weather or not you'll actually do it. If you have the discipline, and get lucky with no or minor health issues, you'd have $6K in the bank after the first year and you could use that as a cushion to pay medical bills, continuing of course to keep paying the fund evey month.

What you can't predict is if or when you'll need expensive medical care. Some tests, like MRI's and the like can cost many thousands of dollars.
And something like a burst appendix could cost you $30K or more- how would you pay that bill?

It's fine line managing these risks. Don't think it can happen to you? A good friend just suffered a heart attack last week (she's in apparent good health and in her 40's). She spent several days in intensive care in a cardiac unit- probably racked up a $100K+ bill.

That's the stuff that is hard to budget for, and impossible to predict. That's partially what makes health insurance so expensive- claims are a certainty for almost all policies, and medical costs are astronomical.

Your choice- your risks, your money.

Not an easy decision.

 

[rbh]

Re: Health Insurance/Extortion

Are there any contractor associations you can join that have a group plan you can get in on???

How about some volunteer group???

 

[bassman284]

Re: Health Insurance/Extortion

5 years ago my gall bladder ran about $17,000 and I was in the hospital 24 1/2 hours. It was slightly messier than expected, hence the overnight stay, but still done with scope.

I retired in April and using COBRA until Medicare starts next March. It's $372 a month going to $395 in January. I'm fairly healthy for a geezer and considered doing without but turned out I didn't have the nerve.

 

[roscoe]

Re: Health Insurance/Extortion

Not to turn this political, but the obamacare revisions have made it almost impossible for the small guy to get individual insurance. Most companies have dropped coverage for the small guy.

Only gonna get worse till you are forced to go without. Then let the government plan "help" you.

I work for a company with over 230,000 employees, so they are self insured, and offer us plans that range from $30 to $350 a month, but the coverage is weak unless you can afford to give up 20% of your take home pay.

 

[roscoe]

Re: Health Insurance/Extortion

Nope, just stating a fact, not starting a debate.


hostage, if you are a "contractor", doesn't that make you a sole proprietor?

Are you an employee or an independent contractor?

 

[hostage]

Re: Health Insurance/Extortion

Nope, just stating a fact, not starting a debate.


hostage, if you are a "contractor", doesn't that make you a sole proprietor?

Are you an employee or an independent contractor?

Well that is the problem, I am stuck in this hole and can't get out. I am a W2 Employee for a personnel company that contracts me to a large company that produces copiers and starts with an X. I am on a 18 month contract with that said company, until the decided to renew me. I have already been renewed once. If I don't get renewed by the company I am contracted to, then I loose my job, which at this time is not a concern. I am also paid to much to qualify for anything in the state, since they assume everyone is a self employed or part of a union.

Also the insurance I am having to pay right now has a 30% surge charge on it from NYS, since the plan is for "sole proprietors", I happen to be grandfather into the plan so I can keep it, I can't switch though. Get the privileged to pay, not the privileged to switch.

I am getting fed up with this state and this is making me want to move back to my family in Texas. Then the state will have even more of a deficit, since I won't be here to pay their taxes and use none of their services that I couldn't use before.

Don't mean to vent, but this is frustrating.

 

[roscoe]

Re: Health Insurance/Extortion

ok, understand.

Texas always looks good to me this time of year, but the interest fades when it gets hot down there.

 

[aspeck]

Re: Health Insurance/Extortion

Self employed, insurance costs $950/month for my family! Looked into a $2000 deductible policy with a Health savings plan. Would have saved a bunch, but at the time they would not insure me because I was too short for my weight. Getting down to where maybe they will look at me again ... will try that route again next year to save a few $.

I would love to say shove it all, but it only takes one major accident or illness to make the insurance worthwhile. And remember, the insurance company is in business to make money ... they have to charge some people more than out of pocket costs would be to cover the ones that require a greater payout ...

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Health Insurance/Extortion

Insurance needs to be fundamentally changed to a more disaster-based thing. For example, insurance should be involved if you get appendicitis, cancer, or a complex bone break needing surgery. Insurance should NOT be involved with your trip to the doctor for strep throat, going to the ER for a couple stitches, physical exams, etc. Of course in order for it to work, these more mundane things need to be more affordable for the average person.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Health Insurance/Extortion

Insurance needs to be fundamentally changed to a more disaster-based thing. For example, insurance should be involved if you get appendicitis, cancer, or a complex bone break needing surgery. Insurance should NOT be involved with your trip to the doctor for strep throat, going to the ER for a couple stitches, physical exams, etc. Of course in order for it to work, these more mundane things need to be more affordable for the average person.

Ayuh,... Amen to That....

I'm also gettin' screwed here in NYS...
I also am Uninsured...
The cheapest policy I've been able to find is well over a Grand a month,..
For Just Myself...

If there were more than 3 companies available to sell me a policy,...
I'd think I should be able to buy something with like a $5,000. or higher deductable,...
A Catastrophic health plan...

I'm still very healthy at 55,...
I've spent All my life dealing with ole time doctors who were in it for the personal rewards,...
Not to get Rich...

'ell, I bartered with ole Doc Willey for 30 years...
Need a checkup,... I'd rebuild his pickup springs or something...
The ole lodge up in the adirondacks needed a new road, 'n grading,...
I went up with a dumptruck, 'n backhoe for a weekend, and Paid my medical bills for 5 years with a weekends work....

I still stop by to talk to Doc, but at 86, he's slowin' down, 'n doctoring very little now...
Unfortunately, Deb, being a care-provider, has Insisted I vist a modern New doctor...
He's an alright guy that I paved his driveway 18 year ago,...
I pay cash, 'n he knows,+ understands...
I usually walk out with "Samples" that more than cover the $80. office visits...

In all honesty,... I know time is now against me,...
I know 1 of these days, Sickness will strike...
I'm just hoping that when it does,... It's the Big 1...
Something Quick, 'n terminal....

I would like to have something left to leave for Debbie....

 

[Brewman61]

Re: Health Insurance/Extortion

Look into high deductible major medical policies if you want something to give you protection for the bad stuff. I know at one time they existed- is that not the case anymore?

 

[hostage]

Re: Health Insurance/Extortion

Look into high deductible major medical policies if you want something to give you protection for the bad stuff. I know at one time they existed- is that not the case anymore?

That is exactly what I am doing.

I have a challenge for anyone on this forum. Find a high deductible plan that doesn't cost an arm and a leg!

For example go to this site:
https://www.ehealthinsurance.com/individual-family-health-insurance

Select Zipcode 14623, etc. There is a total of 5 plans, four of which you need to be self employed. The other one is $488

Now go back and select zipcode 75703: I found a total of 84.

I am updating my resume and looking at jobs back down in Texas. I have family down there, I love HOT weather, and I don't like the taxes up here. My main problem is g/f family is up here and moving, selling a house, etc is not a cheap and easy task. Though NYS is doing one hell of a job at motivating me.

Do they even realize that over taxing and all these crazy regulations such as requiring acupuncture coverage on all health insurance is driving their tax base out of the state? Billionaire and Philanthropist Tom Golisano, who has created many jobs here in NY and started his own business from scratch moved from this "Great State" to Florida, since he would save $5million in taxes/year. I guess NYS wanted Florida to have a new hospital and college built.

Again sorry for venting, just frustrated.

 

[skargo]

Re: Health Insurance/Extortion

I'm screwed, I have a pre-existing condition and the high risk pool is very expensive. My wife and I both are self employed business owners, and pay cash for our health needs.

If something catastrophic comes along I will just become a leech on society I guess...

 

[Fly Rod]

Re: Health Insurance/Extortion

We can all complain about the high cost of health insurance. I have been paying for health insurance since I was married in 1972, ran my own business for 35 years, always felt that I was paying for someone else. Jogged 3-4 miles every other day, never ever took medication, not even an aspirin. The company that I work for now since 2005 pays for me and the wife, 24,000 a year with a thousand dollar deductable each.

I came down with a rare desease in 2007, this desease has no discression, strikes anybody from birth to what ever age. I'm in a critical care unit in Boston, see my doctor every 3 months, have a kat scan every third visit, sometimes sooner, my medication is 100,000 per year, it keeps me alive I pay a 40 dollar deductible every 30 days for meds. My first visit to my specialist on the first of the year is over a thousand.

I feel very, very sorry for anyone that does not have insurance. I feel very lucky that the company pays the premium, not many do today.

 

[Bigprairie1]

Re: Health Insurance/Extortion

Pay the insurance and then save up and store the deductible in cash as untouchable money.
Over the next year or two you will be wiping your brow and thanking everyone you did just that.
Don't wing it on your own.....you are going to lose if you do....everything.
Good luck, think straight, think smart.
My two bits.
BP

 

[jay_merrill]

Re: Health Insurance/Extortion

Not to turn this political, but the obamacare ....

If you didn't want to get political, why did you?



???

 

[roscoe]

Re: Health Insurance/Extortion

If you didn't want to get political, why did you?



???

Is this any better, does it make the point any clearer? Mentioning a law, is not the same as debating the law.

The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act has changed the healthcare insurance industry and many companies are changing the types of coverage they offer, and to whom, based on restrictions included in the legislation.
In addition, many states restrict what can and cannot be offered, and who can sell policies to state residents.

Its not a political argument for or against, just the fact that this new law is changing what hostage will find available on the market, now and in the next couple of years. Didn't turn it into a political argument any more than the thread where people stated they would like a higher speed limit.

 

[roscoe]

Re: Health Insurance/Extortion

I'm screwed, I have a pre-existing condition and the high risk pool is very expensive. My wife and I both are self employed business owners, and pay cash for our health needs.

If something catastrophic comes along I will just become a leech on society I guess...

Curious skargo. Is that a state run high risk pool, or a private insurance policy for high risk patients?

Here in Wisconsin, companies that sell insurance in the state, are required to pay into a fund, which is used cover people like yourself. My cousin had cancer in her late 20's, while she was uninsured. Through the program, she was able to purchase insurance for I believe 125% of what a healthy person could buy the same policy. Not exactly cheap, but affordable compared to paying for the treatments, kidney transplant, liver transplant, marrow transplant, hip replacements, and everything else they did to her.

Wisconsin got this right. Curious if other states have similar programs?