Advice on private health insurance for equine professionals?

[Highflyer]

I’m 32, healthy, live in MD and have Blue Cross. I pay $100/ month, and I think the deductible is $2k. It covers most things 80/20 (not including dental/ vision, or pregnancy). I also get workmen’s comp. coverage from my farm job. My parents, who are in their 60s with a number of minor health issues, pay about $800/ month for comparable coverage x2, but since my dad owns a business they can deduct most of it.

It sucks, basically, to pay all this money for something I am kind of afraid to use, but I need something to fill the gap between stuff I can pay for myself and catastrophes which will bankrupt me anyway-- the broken arms/ mild concussions level.

[littleum]

@Highflyer;6278345

I’m 32, healthy, live in MD and have Blue Cross. I pay $100/ month, and I think the deductible is $2k.

This sounds like the product my MIL (who also lives in MD) tried to steer me towards years ago. It was very high deductible, not 100% coverage but really cheap and fell into the “at least its something” catagory. Not avaliable in TX (at that time) I don’t think there was any perscription drug coverage either.

For comparison our company plan (which is avaliable to groups as small as 2 people, which can be a husband/wife team insured seperatly) I’m $500+ a month, $1K deducitble/$3K surgical deducitble but 100% in network with a $500 “routine care” allowance (so the $1K is more like $500 deducitble) My husband is $270 a month. Why am I double? Because I’m a woman. No other reason.

The whole industry is just a total mess.

[gottagrey]

I am not going to get into a debate about Obamacare suffice to say it is unstainable, and this may surprise many of you but there are affordable healthcare options out there. When I was unemployed COBRA was about 3 times as much of me taking out private insurance. At that time I got Carefirst of MD w/ dental & eye + prescription for about $157 per month - a bargin compared to the $400+ COBRA wanted.

Since the OP is an independant contractor she may be able to write off all or part of her insurance premiums from taxes - so you might get a little something back. Since you are an independant contractor - check w/ an accountant to find out what you can and cannot deduct from your taxes and start keeping track of those expenses & receipts for 2012 taxes. Things like mileage, car/truck payments/repair & insurance may all be deductible expenses for you (as well as travel hotels etc) Note: if you are reimbursed by clients for mileage and hotel you cannot use those as business expenses. Back to insurance, I clicked on Progressive and it says starting at $48 - that’s probably very basic coverage but a good start. I’m not sure why more insurance companies don’t offer it like that - that would have been better than this monstrosity they did pass (oh I said I wouldn’t do that sorry). Many states/counties have affordable insurance programs as well. Sadly they are just not that well publicized. If nothing else you need to check w/ your employer whether you’re covered under Workman’s Comp - while it’s not ideal it will help in the event you have an injury on the job.

Check the yellow pages, find an insurance broker as they can help and do so at no cost to you (they earn their fees from insurance companies) you could also look into AFLAC as a supplement.

[OveroHunter]

I am a Benefits Analyst, but unfortunately I work solely with large corporations so I doubt I would be of much help to an individual. Before I started working with my current company I had BCBS Smart Sense: http://www.individualhealth.com/anthem/oh/smartsense.htm

[Fun_Size]

[QUOTE=lesgarcons;6277189]
I was told by my insurer that with a certification of health care coverage (something along these lines?) letter, private insurers would have to accept my pre-existing conditions for 60 days following the termination of my parents’ health insurance coverage. Does anyone know if this is actually the case?

The conversion plan is something like 800 a month and COBRA is around 600. I literally don’t have the money to pay for that. A quote for moderate deductible private insurance is around 1/4 of what COBRA costs, however they haven’t seen my medical records about my back yet.

Yikes. This is not going to be fun. Thanks for all the information you’ve provided so far, everyone.[/QUOTE]

That is correct. DO NOT let your insurance lapse for more than 60 days if you have something they will consider a preexisting condition. I have Blue Shield, and have had Blue Cross in the past. Go onto their website, look at the plans, and get the monthly payment you can afford and the out of pocket maxumum you can live with if something happens.

As long as you get SOMETHING, you are ok on the preexisting condition.

ETA: do it soon, because sometimes underwriting can take 30+ days. They will back date it some, but you don’t want to chance it.

[Monarch]

You could also go to www.ehealthinsurance.com
M

[Against_The_Wind]

@gottagrey;6278724

I am not going to get into a debate about Obamacare suffice to say it is unstainable, and this may surprise many of you but there are affordable healthcare options out there. When I was unemployed COBRA was about 3 times as much of me taking out private insurance. At that time I got Carefirst of MD w/ dental & eye + prescription for about $157 per month - a bargin compared to the $400+ COBRA wanted.

I guess it all depends on what people would consider “affordable”. Being unemployed, health insurance that costs a minimum of $350 a month for a $3000 deductible (for everything…you pay $3K out of pocket first) with no prescription coverage is beyond my reach. I first researched BC/BS, then went to ehealthinsurance.com. It all depends on the individual and their prior health circumstances. And again, I am in pretty good health!

[LauraKY]

At least get some insurance even if it is an ultra high deductible. I believe the time limit for pre-existing is 62 days. You don’t want to miss that window.

[gottagrey]

[QUOTE=Against The Wind;6278891]
I guess it all depends on what people would consider “affordable”. Being unemployed, health insurance that costs a minimum of $350 a month for a $3000 deductible (for everything…you pay $3K out of pocket first) with no prescription coverage is beyond my reach. I first researched BC/BS, then went to ehealthinsurance.com. It all depends on the individual and their prior health circumstances. And again, I am in pretty good health![/QUOTE]

most states have networks to help those who cannot afford health care/insurance but it usually takes place when there is an illness or injury. I used to work in medicine and I can tell you many many people got coverage from medicaid or other community plans once they were hospitalized or diagnosed w/ an illness. If you are unemployed you can also deduct the cost of your insurance on your taxes (at least I was able to a few years back) I also know of plenty of people who claim they cannot afford health insurance but have noooo problem spending thousands at a horse show every week - so sometimes it depends on priorities. I have coverage thru my company and it’s expensive and not the greatest - Obamacare most likely will cause my company to either drop coverage or lay off thousands

[Marshfield]

No advice on the health insurance, but I’d suggest looking into disability insurance for yourself as well while you’re at it.