Individual Healthcare

It is actually cheaper to get a high deductible plan and pay well visits out of pocket. They do have some that offer a prescription plan for a little bit more but only if you don't have preexisting conditions that require big ticket meds. Like I have ADHD, no private insurance will give me a prescription plan because my Adderall is $270 a month, every month, ya know?

Thing is with HMO and PPOs you are basically prepaying for the average care of someone your age and health, so you are paying out of pocket anyway.

With the high deductible they are crazy cheap monthly but kick in if you have something catastrophic happen. Yes you will have to meet around a 3,000 dollar deductible but you will have saved a lot more than that in monthly premiums.

Oh, you may want to marry the guy or go back to work before you decide to have another child. You will not find an individual plan that covers maternity for any reasonable price.

Make sure you actually check with his workplace - many domestic partnerships are now covered by many workplaces and many insurance companies.

ADDED ANSWER: And good for you to stick up for yourself!

J.:

If you have kids together - why not get married?

Our private plan is BC/BS Care First - we got it through USAA. To find a private policy that covers pregnancy? You are looking at $$$$$$$$$$.

To be honest with you - if yo have 2 kids together -just get married. make your life simple...you are adding costs to a family that really doesn't need to be added.

I had an individual plan through Kaiser many years ago that was not horrendously expensive. It covered just about everything, with co-pays, of course. Keep in mind that things like a history of ever having smoked, ever seeking emergency medical treatment or ever needing anti-depressants will be held against you. They do look for absolutely any little thing in your past to turn you down, not just big things like cancer. If you have a spotless medical record, you should be able to find something without too much trouble. Recognize, though, that individual plans are a lot more expensive than anything through a group plan, which is why people would mention getting married (not to force you into the decision, but as a way to save money here).

Call around and get quotes. There are so many variables when it comes to insurance that it is hard to make a specific recommendation.

For what it's worth, I have a lot of friends who said they would never marry their long-time partners but did because it's financially beneficial. I don't think Cheryl was giving you a hard time, just asking a question... same one that went through my mind too! A marriage license and a trip to City Hall is a heck of a lot cheaper in the long-run in more ways than one! I'm sure you have a reason, though, for not marrying. Just a financial observation.

No one here interpreted your question as that you asked if you should get married...several have pointed out that it might be more financially feasible to get married and save the money from the costs of a private plan.

IF you are unwilling to marry him - start calling around to Kaiser Permanente, Blue Cross/Blue Shield, Anthem...you can look on line for health care quotes as well.

Pre-natal and pregnancy plans are VERY expensive, just so you know.

I am married and my husband and son our on their own private plan, United Healthcare/Golden Rule. I am on a group/student plan which is free for me but really expensive with not great coverage for my husband and son.

I had a bcbs plan that was reasonable. You can do a search to compare. I think we did it with essurance. It was 5 years ago I can' remember clearly. You will feel the yearly adjustments a little more.
Good luck with the baby and everything else. I take it the baby will be covered by dad?

If you are not working and the father is supporting you I am not sure if you would qualify or not but you could check. The state usually has a medical card plan for children and their immediate care giver. It might be that you would qualify for free medical care.