Health Insurance is Out of Control

[cheferson]

Blue cross individual plans are actually reasonable. I had one before i switched over to my employers group plan.

[The Dad Fisherman]

Originally Posted by cheferson

Blue cross individual plans are actually reasonable. I had one before i switched over to my employers group plan.

Don't know about that anymore....I checked on them last month and it was cheaper for me to keep COBRA instead of going to them...

[luds]

Originally Posted by The Dad Fisherman

Don't know about that anymore....I checked on them last month and it was cheaper for me to keep COBRA instead of going to them...

I think COBRA is usually cheaper because you are getting the benefit of group rate. Take advantage of it while you can.

I know this is probably pretty obvious but take a very close look at coverage for individual services. Especially the ones that you utilize most. There are definitely alot of creative plans like the high deductible mentioned early but sometimes plans have an 80/20 payment set up and might be 50/50 for some services. People often overlook the higher costs for those certain services until the bill comes.

My first job out of school was taking calls in a health insurance call center 7 years ago. It's frightening to see how fast things have gone down hill since then. I could not do it now.

I still work for a health insurance company. Please tell me why my co-worker's girlfriend gets a better deal than me and she works for a financial institution.

[PaulS]

Originally Posted by The Dad Fisherman

Don't know about that anymore....I checked on them last month and it was cheaper for me to keep COBRA instead of going to them...

Your correct, by law you can only be charged either 2 or 3% more than what the group pays. So as was pointed out your getting the benefit of the group rates. What might be chearper is a underwriten individual policy. Mass may be a guaranteed issue rate and you may have gotten quoted for that. If your healthy and they have an underwritten policy, you may be better off.

Waiting periods protect the insurance companies and thus are reflected in lower rates. They prevent someone who knows they have a medical condition from purchasing coverage to get treated specif. for that condition. Their similar to pre-existing exclusiions (which is what usually is the reason ins. companies canc. policies - people lie about their pre-existing condition.)