Who knows about health insurance? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Hatterasguy · #1 11-03-2009, 10:31 AM

I'm looking at Aetna and Anthem plans they range from $68 bucks a month to $163. So what kind of coverage should I go for? I have never bought health insurance before.

https://www.gohealthinsurance.com/plans/quote/planDetail

https://www.gohealthinsurance.com/plans/quote/planDetail

How do these plans look? I'm not trying to be cheap, I just don't want a ton of coverage I don't need since I'm young and hardly go to the doctors.

Hatterasguy · #2 11-03-2009, 11:00 AM

Oh god I mess up bad. I wasn't thinking and gave them my number to get those quotes. I have already had 2 calls, I think I'm going to get dozens.

The last guy I just hung up on and he got all pissed at me and left a nasty voicemessage. But thats good he won't call again.

tankdriver · #3 11-03-2009, 02:10 PM

Couldn't get the links to work, are these insurance or group discount plans?

SwampYankee · #4 11-03-2009, 02:37 PM

That's somewhat of a loaded question.

We've got Anthem BC/BS POE plan which I don't have any big complaints about. The policy for myself and family (wife & 4kids) is $1100/mo. which the company pays 80% so my out-of-pocket is $220/mo. For comparison purposes our youngest, single employee is $195/mo. (who pays $39/mo. out of pocket).

Prescriptions and co-pays are where you can save some money with higher co-pays/deductibles. Ours is a $20 standard/$30 specialist and $10 generic/$20 non-generic co-pay plan. We also went with a $3000 hospital copay plan but the employee is only responsible for $500 of that. It saved us a fair amount of money and offers more benefits than our previous plan but it still costs us $16K/month for 20 employees ($192K/yr.). We went from a 85/15 Employer/Employee contribution to an 80/20 a few years ago. Our agent says that we're way too generous and that most of her clients are in the 60/40-65/35 range. We considered going to a 75/25 but decided to hold off for now.

We're kind of in a pickle in that my father (and mother) will be coming off the plan and going on Medicare and my boss isn't too far behind him. They're the most expensive policies but if we drop too far in gets us into a smaller pool.

Just based on your numbers, that's not a bad range to fall into but a lot depends on what your getting for that money.

Hatterasguy · #5 11-03-2009, 03:31 PM

Its hard to figure out exactly what I need, want, and am getting.

Most of those plans have between a $1,500-$3k per year deductable. But they offer low co pay's, and a lot of other stuff.

SwampYankee · #6 11-03-2009, 05:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hatterasguy

Its hard to figure out exactly what I need, want, and am getting.

Most of those plans have between a $1,500-$3k per year deductable. But they offer low co pay's, and a lot of other stuff.

Given you current situation see if you can get higher co-pays for lower premiums.

Is this through a trade organization?

Hatterasguy · #7 11-03-2009, 05:50 PM

No just individual. Their is no builder trade organization around here.

#8 11-03-2009, 07:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SwampYankee

Given you current situation see if you can get higher co-pays for lower premiums.

I agree, assuming you just need coverage for major issues and are willing to pay for any routine/small stuff out of pocket. The last time I paid for a family plan it was around $1200 per month, with reasonably high deductibles.

tankdriver · #9 11-03-2009, 07:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SwampYankee

Given you current situation see if you can get higher co-pays for lower premiums.

+1. You're young, you won't be using your insurance a bunch anyway.

jplinville · #10 11-03-2009, 09:02 PM

You may find better prices going through the local Chamber of Commerce. You'll be able to enjoy group rates through them.

10fords · #11 11-04-2009, 12:09 AM

Don't worry- the government is going to take care of it for you, and it will be cheaper and better.

SwampYankee · #12 11-04-2009, 08:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hatterasguy

No just individual. Their is no builder trade organization around here.

Really? Look into joining CBIA or your local Chamber of Commerce which offer discounts on insurance among other things.

Medmech · #13 11-04-2009, 07:49 PM

Hattie, if you're still on the board of Realtors you can check out NAR. Otherwise if you are healthy NAS (National Association for the Self Employed) had an excellent plan...that was a few years ago so this may be aged advice, unlike wine it gets worse with time.

Hatterasguy · #14 11-04-2009, 09:00 PM

Thanks I'll check them out.

I'm not a NAR member anymore, but I'll check out the others.