Need thoughts on Health Insurance

[Western]

We have insurance through my wife's job (United Health Care). for Wife and I and one college student.

What we have now:

$1500 Deductible per person yr.
$3000 per family
$35 co-pay Physician visits
pay's 40% after deductibles are met yearly
Cost per month $460

What their changing too.

$1750 Deductible per person yr.
$3500 per family
No more physicians co-pay
Pays' 40% after deductibles met.
Cost per month $440

Both the old and new plans pay 100% preventitive care, but have found that is hardly ever the way it get's classed so we end up paying.

We are thinking of dropping this and looking for other source of insurance. After my wife signs up there is no way out of it for one year.

Are we "wishfull" thinking or do you guys know of any other private HC plans?

 

[KennyG]

These plans sound average except for the 40% share after deductable is met. Usually it's only 10% or 20%. The info you are missing here is the annual out of pocket limit, which is important. For a solid comparison, check with Blue Cross/Blue Shield. They won't always be the best but their rates will be a solid comparison.

 

[Alan L.]

Yea the max out of pocket is important. You wouldn't want to pay 40% of everything over the deductible.

 

[Western]

Thanks Kenny. The out of pocket is the deductibles. We had BC/BS at her company prior to this, also had Cigna at one time. Keeps getting more for less it seems.

 

[aczlan]

Ours is $2600/year till the deductible, then there are 2 steps to copays (60/40 and 80/20 IIRC) till you hit $6000 out of pocket. Then they pay for everything (but some meds which are 80/20).
Going to that and adding the max HSA contributions was the same price as keeping the old HMO plan.

Aaron Z

 

[KubotainNH]

You can try going directly to the insurance companies and see what they have to offer. When I switched to a contract job 10 years ago it was cheaper for me to go direct than to cobra my previous employers insurance. It did cost me over $700 a month for a family HMO plan but everything was $20 copays. I can only imagine what the cost is these days. My current company is trying to get everyone into the higher deductible plans with the HSA benefit. My families health needs would be tough on a high deductible plan, at least at this point.

 

[jimrs]

With what is going on in this country with health Insurance, I don't know anyone who knows what going on. I will say if you don't have it for god sake don't get sick. The wife and I are on Medicare and Social Security now and my insurance has gone out of site. From my Hosp suppliment insurance went from 125.00 a month to 217.00 a month and the Prescription Ins has also doubled. This is just for me wife's is the same. this and then the prescriptions are around 1,000.00 a month If it was not for savings paying would not be possible.

These Group plans are covering less and less but make it look like your getting a better deal but they are out to make money and that is the bottom line for them. You don't have much choice as private ins is way too expensive and group plans are closing the gap very fast.

 

[Transit]

Have you looked at Humana?
Are you close to retirement? At 62 you may join Medicare.
If you work to 70+, at 70 you must be enrolled in Medicare parts A and B with options for C and D, you must also consider enrolment windows and penalties for delayed enrolment and secondary insurance for what is not paid by Medicare. For more info go to the Medicare online site first, you may also call and speak to an agent. It can get very complex.

 

[dmccarty]

A few years ago I asked our insurance agent about Health Insurance to see how it would compare with our current employers plan.

It was better to stay with the current provider.

I second pricing out Blue Cross/Blue Shield. Also ask the insurance company for your house, auto, etc, and see what their plans and prices compare.

Later,
Dan

 

[Western]

Thanks for the comments, I have a ways to go to get Medicare!.

I gues what they are offering is not as bad as I thought, but I will check with BC/BS. We have through United Health Care HMO now.

All are other insurance (auto ect tra)I switched to Amica last year, $1800 a year cheaper than what I had through the Farm Bureau! I will have to check if they have health, I know they have life ins.