Seeking Affordable Health Ins.

First, let me say this. I feel for you. I just went through this, ours expired on June 1, 2009. I am not sure what state you live in. But at least in Michigan, BCBS has to take you if you are unable to get private insurance. Which I have discovered, is very difficult to qualify for. I have spent hours and hours reasearching and applying for various insurance, and due to a back injury my husband had, and has recovered from, we were turned down for coverage. So, if you have any pre-existing issues, don't waste your time, if you can even get it, it is unbelievably expensive. Sometimes they will approve you if it is minor, and they can exclude it for the first 12 months. For comparison purposes, if you do research it, go through ehealthinsurance.com, just don't sign up that way, go directly to the company you want. Reason being is that you have to give a credit card or checking # and then if you change your mind, it takes forever to get your money back (took 14 weeks to get a refund for a policy I changed my mind on that was just for me and my daughter, You really don't want to tie up $450 for that long when you are unemployed. A family policy is about $400 to $700 a month, if you want any kind of office visit or prescription coverage. With anyone other than BCBS, be prepared to explain every prescription or treatment you or anyone in your family has ever had for the last 5 to 10 years. They pull your medical records. Not knowing how long we would be unemployed, I ended up just buying a hospitalization plan so we would not be bankrupted if something catastrophic happened. This is about $280 a month ($5000 deductible, 80/20 after deductible) No office visits, no prescriotion coverage. It might be a little cheaper if you are younger, we are 40 years old. I believe it covers preventative tests (paps, that sort of thing). One thing I have found, is that doctors will discount the office visits significantly if you are paying cash, they don't get the full amount from the insurance anyway. Do not hesitate to ask. They will also give you sample meds. Prescription prices vary widely. A medicine that I take monthly was $32.99 at Walgreens, was only $17 at a local family owned pharmacy.

Prices are set for insurance rates, so you will not get a discount on the same policy by shopping around. Also, hospitals and doctors will negotiate with you but you have to ask.

This has been an eye openning experience for sure. I was not too sure if I supported this Universal Health Plan that the president is touting, however, now that I understand how expensive and frustrating it is to get your family covered, I have a completely different outlook. My husband and I have enjoyed excellent coverage (Chrysler) for the last 15 years.

If you need any additional information, please write me. I would be glad to help. If your can get coverage for your self and kids through the state that is cheap, do it. It may not be too expensive just for your husband if he is in good health. I wish you luck.

1 mom found this helpful

HI L.,

I am sorry to hear about your husbands loss of his job - it is happening so often today, it is so sad. I speak with people everyday who find themselves in your same circumstances. Here is a site that you can check out Affordable Discount Benefits. It is a 17 yr old company, it is an alternative to high cost traditional insurance - very affordable - the plans range from $19.95 mo - $59.95 mo for ENTIRE household - Dental, Vision, Rx, Chiropractor and Medical - to choose from - Check it out, there is no reason that you need to put you further behind (while you are going thru this temporary loss) in $$ to have a "what if" that is what it is - what if we need it - but if we do not use why pay so much money!

http://www.helpyousavenow.com if you have any questions just ask me - I hope this helps you

I will remember you and your family in my prayers and good thoughts - things will get better!!

T. Rossilli

1 mom found this helpful

L.

I have recently become licensed and now sell Health Insurance. One of the reasons I went with this company was I liked the products and for me and the two kids it was affordable where as my COBRA was going to cost me $1000 a month. The coverage for the two kids and me is $250 a month. That give me a good amount of coverage and protects against anything serious. I did a work up for a family of 4 last night that was $279 a month and give them doctors visits, Rx coverage, Dental/vision plus other benefits.

Call me or email me privately and I'll do what I can.

Chelle E.

I know if your husband lost his job because of major cut backs the company doesn't have work then the company picks up the 80%, but if it was for any other reasons you are going to have to pay full rate. The no lapse in coverage can actually save you money on some of the plans. If you are interested in finding out anything or just have questions let me know.

Hi L.,

I have some information for insurance options that I hand out to many of my students parents. The problem is that the website is on my computer at work. I am off for the summer, but need to go in to pick some things up. I will get the information and send it ASAP. I am so sorry that you are going through this scary time.

C.

Google individual and family health insurance. Do any of you have a preexisting health condition? When my husband lost his job the only insurance we could get was BCBS because my son is multiply disabled. The other insurance plans have the right to tell you they won't accept you as a client if you have preexisting conditions but BCBS can not (although I did have to prove to them we did not have a lapse in coverage in order to waive the preexisting clause of waiting 6 mos to cover anything related to his condition). You can get anything from emergency type insurance that only covers hospitalization to fuller plans that include drugs and office visits.

You could look into Federally Qualified Health Centers in Michigan to see what type of health care could be available to you at a reduced rate. There is one in Jackson called Center for Family Health, and for the uninsured they offer a plan called Healthpay that gives a sliding scale for payment. It is not insurance but it could be helpful.

Good Morning!

L. A., I recently read an article (Troy, MI) titled, "Unemployed can apply for low-cost health care". The SEVA Committee of the Bharatiya Temple has worked out a health care program to provide short-term assistance. Families in need should contact their hotline at: ###-###-#### or visit the temple Website at: www.bharatiya-temple.org for information. For more Oakland County news, go to detnews.com/oakland.

God Bless,

M.

I am not sure where you are but I am Jackson County. Here there is a program called Project Access. It is health insurance for anyone over 17. It is free. it doesn't cover hospitalizations but it does cover dr visits, some lab tests, x-rays etc. It is easy to get and costs nothing. In this area call 211 to find out where to go or to have the paperwork sent to you. Medicaid is of course better but I work part time and my husband has unemployment so we made too much money. Good luck!

My family was in the same position last summer. We purchased insurance for my husband & me through Assurant Health http://www.assuranthealth.com/corp/ah/ My daughter also qualified for state support so we didn't need to add her to the policy. This was the most flexible, pick & choose coverage w/ a monthly cost we could afford. Best of luck to you & your family.

There is Genesee county health care - google it for the number. It is free. Also there is the Genesee County Free Medical Center - an INCREDIBLE clinic with some of the very best doctors in Genesee county running it!!! It is NOT the "clinic" you would imagine - it is a Dr. office with caring compassionate care. It is for acute as well as chronic conditions and they even work with local specialists and hospitals for free referrals.

Good luck and take care.

L. - have you checked into COBRA - I know traditionally it has been very expensive but I think that the rules have changed and that the government is picking up something like 80% of the tab. Please look into it, I don't know the details but I do know that it is a more affordable option to continue with your curent insurance than it used to be.

Good luck

L. ~
One option is the Wyandotte Clinic for the Working Uninsured. I know you would qualify, being employed, not sure if they would take your husband or not...but if something comes up and you are still uninsured, it's an option. It's run by the doctors from Henry Ford Wyandotte Hosptial. It's located at the Brownstown facility (Center for Health Services) on West Rd in Brownstown/Woodhaven. They only see patients on Wednesday evenings. Their number is ###-###-####.

D.

last year my husband switched jobs and there was a month that we had no coverage...

I was able to buy a blue cross plan for our family for $233 a month.. it did have ahigh deductible. but I needed coverage in case something really bad happened in those 30 days until his new job insurance kicked in..

Also HAP has some policies that are reasonable.. a freind bought a policy through HAP for only $99 a month..again a high deductible.. but he does have coverage in case anything bad happens..

My husband said there are many options for you from short term insurance that is very affordable to a customized policy that can be set up to fit your budget. You can probably get a lot more coverage than you think for reasonable prices. His name is Alan and you can reach him @ ###-###-#### or email: ____@____.com

Hope this helps!
L.

Have you checked into Medicaid. When I lost my job in December, the whole family (including myself and my husband) qualified for Medicaid. Medicaid would at least cover routine health, medications, tests and emergency room visits for you, your husband and your children.. They also offer vision and dental for children.

look into state of michigan help to may quailify for food stamps. I think you can get insurance too.

I just signed up with Optimum Benefit Group. They had very reasonable price points and included that reduced my accident costs substantially. Also, more options than I've gotten before.

Contact...

Daniel Fradette
###-###-#### C
###-###-#### O
____@____.com

I think that it will be important to make sure that you don't have a lapse in coverage, because this could hurt your future coverage. Get one that doesn't cover anything routine, it will save you money in the long run, and start a savings acount to cover the cost of the deductible. Put what you would have to pay in premiums for a plan with a low ded into the savings account and then when something does happen you have that money in savings to cover te ded. I am not sure where you live but you can use this website to find a good low cost bare bones plan in your
area

http://www.daveramsey.com/sa/home/

Take a minute to look around his site too or that of Suze Orman and try to get your fincancial house in order. We still aren't there, but it feels good to have some type of plan. Good luck