Anyone know of any 'reasonably' priced health insurance plans for the self-employed, or contractually employed?
Posted by Tante Shvester (Member # 8202) on :
In the United States? Not in this administration.
Posted by Olivet (Member # 1104) on :
We have Blue Cross and Blue shield. It si $651.00 a month for a family of four. We have $40.00 co-pays for office visits, $150.00 co-pays for ER visits, and a $2000.00 per person deductable. With pharmacy coverage that is actually very decent.
The only thing that doesn't suck about it (besides the medicine coverage, which is a little spotty but mostly good) is that they actually pay what they say they will pay without us having to fight them. And they do cover most check-up expenses without applying the deductable.
I'm not sure if it is reasonable or not, but I do know that BCBS has different rates in different states. Those are our Georgia rates.
Posted by Storm Saxon (Member # 3101) on :
Interesting. Thanks, Olivet.
Posted by Dagonee (Member # 5818) on :
Storm, check for professional associations related to your occupation. Many of them have true group plans, which will likely be cheaper and provide better legal protection.
Failing that, there are numerous individual plans in most states such as the one Olivet described.
Posted by Storm Saxon (Member # 3101) on :
Well, it's not actually for me. It's for my mom. As I doubt that there are any 'master naturalist' professional organizations, I guess I'll look into state plans.
If anyone has any other ideas, I'd be happy to hear them. I mean, not to say that Dagonee's idea wasn't good, just that I'm looking for more if anyone comes up with anything.
Posted by Stephan (Member # 7549) on :
Try to find an independent insurance broker who can shop around for you, and present her with a bunch of different plans.
What state does your mom live in?
Posted by Storm Saxon (Member # 3101) on :
Florida
Posted by Storm Saxon (Member # 3101) on :
An independent insurance broker. That's an idea.
Posted by Stephan (Member # 7549) on :
August is open enrollment for self-employed individuals. That means she would be guaranteed coverage even if she had a terminal illness.
Posted by Storm Saxon (Member # 3101) on :
Wow, Stephan! You are seriously awesome! Thanks.
Posted by Olivet (Member # 1104) on :
Ours is group insurance. The "group" is somewhat nebulous, I guess, but we are lumped together with other self-employed people, and so got a lower rate than we were able to get through my husband's professional association, which was over $100.00 a month higher for less coverage.
But the rates go up every year, closing the gap considerably.
Posted by Storm Saxon (Member # 3101) on :
Good stuff.
Posted by ketchupqueen (Member # 6877) on :
BCBS here would be $350 a month for just me for the plan Olivet mentioned.
I am uninsured, currently.
Posted by Javert (Member # 3076) on :
Wow, I am so glad I got it as a benefit for my job. Good luck, Stormy. If you find a really good plan, let us all know...I want to be prepared should I ever get fired.
Posted by The Pixiest (Member # 1863) on :
I think some credit unions have group insurance. You might want to look into that. Just an idea though...
Posted by Storm Saxon (Member # 3101) on :