Individual Health Insurance Policy

[jdmidwest]

Its not entirely that either JD. As in my group plan the increases are directly proportionate to the percentage of their loss over what the plan pays per year. For instance one gent had to have an ankle replacement. The cost of the operation was 70K.

Our plan cost my employer 600K this year, but they spent well over that in medical benefits for the employees. Our plan is going up 3 percent increase. Consequently two years ago, the plan cost went down because we were way under our premiums. Increasing health cost is not a new thing.

Same thing forced us into what we have now, we had a cancer claim that raised our group of 8, so we switched to the current. Same thing is forcing all insurance companies into increases, they have to cover higher risks and increased payouts. Insurance has been rising by large percentages for several years, they have to compensate for the payouts.

BTW, my employer does not even participate in our group, he is a government official also, and is covered by that policy.

[Buzz]

My company went to the high deductible insurance plans about 5 years ago. I sat out the first year because I wasn't sure about it, plus my wife has had a few health issues. Anyway, I was paying over $60.00 a week and that was going to go up to about $75 per week. We decided to go along with the high deductible plan and hope we could get enough money built up in our HSA account before anyone got very ill. I now pay only about $27.00 per week and the company deposits $275.00 each month into my HSA. I now have well over $7,000.00 in the account and we are both realatively healthy. I'm looking to let it build up so I have a backup for when I retire.

[stlfisher]

Thanks for all the great input. I won't turn it into anything in political. Currently, my work insurance is paying 80% of the cost and I pay 20% up to a maximum of $3500 per year. Unfortunately, I have had two knee surgeries that have maxed out my deductible each of the past two years. Besides injuries I am lucky in that I don't have any other medical issues. I am 32 so barring any disaster I don't anticipate needing any ongoing care or medications at this point (off course you never now what will happen). Mostly, I would just decent coverage that won't break me should I need another knee surgery etc... I have contacted an agent that my brother knows well and he is going to do some research and look at a policy for me. He is kind of of the same opinion that it may be tough to find something less than $263. I will be sure to post what information I find out.

I worked at one place where the employee cost increase went up over $100 a month. Turned out the insurance only went up 11% and the employer didn't want to pay any increases so they passed their portion on to the employees. Go figure, a multi-million $$$ company didn't want the extra expense. Pass it on to the little guy who needs it.

This is exactly the same scenario that is happening and is why I am aggravated. Our company is not picking up the extra cost and passing it along to the employee's. Our company is very small 10 employee's so I can't imagine it would be that much for them to cover some of the additional cost. They suspended the 401 k match, which they notified us of yesterday as well. I realize there is a lot of people out of work and in far worse situations, but our company will double in size by January 1 of 2011 so it is sitting very poorly with me right now. I will be looking for a different position just because this is the classic case of squezzing the "little guy."

I was Kansas City today for work, and I usually try to keep work expenses to a minimum when traveling. Not so much today.

[stlfisher]

http://mychristiancare.org/medi-share/

We've been with this company for at least 10 years. They've done a fine job covering several hospital stays, even when one of them they could have denied because of a doctor's misdiagnosis.

This topic has the possibility to go political... don't go there. This could be a great thread to help people talk about good alternatives WITHOUT bashing the President or politicians.

Thanks

Thanks for the link. I will be sure to check it out.

[jdmidwest]

This is exactly the same scenario that is happening and is why I am aggravated. Our company is not picking up the extra cost and passing it along to the employee's. Our company is very small 10 employee's so I can't imagine it would be that much for them to cover some of the additional cost. They suspended the 401 k match, which they notified us of yesterday as well. I realize there is a lot of people out of work and in far worse situations, but our company will double in size by January 1 of 2011 so it is sitting very poorly with me right now. I will be looking for a different position just because this is the classic case of squezzing the "little guy."

I was Kansas City today for work, and I usually try to keep work expenses to a minimum when traveling. Not so much today.

If he picked up the cost, it would be comparable to giving you a $143 raise a month. Has he handed out any raises this year? Looks like the company may be having some financial difficulty and is cutting benefits in order to stay in business. It may be getting to the point where which is better, a 401k match and full insurance, or a paycheck. Unemployment only pays $300 a week and no benefits.

[FishinCricket]

http://mychristiancare.org/medi-share/

We've been with this company for at least 10 years. They've done a fine job covering several hospital stays, even when one of them they could have denied because of a doctor's misdiagnosis.

This topic has the possibility to go political... don't go there. This could be a great thread to help people talk about good alternatives WITHOUT bashing the President or politicians.

Thanks

Okay, so about these disclaimers on the website:

1. it says it's not insurance.. It's "participants share medical bills on a non-garanteed basis, trusting the lord to provide through voluntary gifts of other like minded Christians"

2. It's says members are exempt from the penalties Obamacare will incur.. WTF?

3. Do they make you take a "I'm a Christian" questionnaire? How do they know you aren't some heathen Muslim or atheist who's just taking advantage of the "gifts of (like minded) Christians"..

4. What do they mean gifts? Your membership dues? What do they mean by "non-garaunteed"?

[ness]

So, Cricket -- who are you asking, and what's your point anyway? Do I need to step in and state more of the obvious?

I'd have to agree with JD's logic. stlfisher: sure, it's tough to swallow an increase but without knowing all the details it's hard to say whether you ought to be upset or whether you can replace the insurance for less. Chances are you can't.

A friend of mine was laid off last year and immediately rehired as a contractor. His company shed the cost of his benefits, and he had to go find insurance to cover his family -- which costs him $700+ a month. He's still got a job, but he nets less.

[FishinCricket]

So, Cricket -- who are you asking, and what's your point anyway?

Uh, anyone i suppose, but mainly the guy who posted it..

My point? Nuttin, just asking.. It was represented as insurance on a thread about insurance (on a forum where we don't talk politics or religion) and it's apparently not insurance.

I am allowed to be curious, yes? What's got your dander up anyway, Captain?

Do I need to step in and state more of the obvious?

Ah, I see.. Need some cheese for your whine, captain? (lighten up, I'm just teasin', and you were pointing at the obvious...)

[ness]

It is what it is, Cricket. Nobody represented it as anything other than an option with which they have had good experiences. It was your post that introduced religion and politics into the forum.

You may think getting a good insurance agent is obvious, (and I do too), but I think it's important enough to point that out here since the guy's looking for advice. Sorry if you think that's not worth a post. It's awfully easy to get screwed, or end up with coverage that leaves you hanging out. Best to go to 2 or 3 agents, or as many as it takes, until you get one that knows his stuff, takes the time to understand your situation and steers you the right way.

And, thanks for the promotion to Captain!

[FishinCricket]

Sorry if you think that's not worth a post

How is my asking questions mean i don't think it's "worth the post".. Here I was thinking questions meant i was interested?

It was your post that introduced religion and politics into the forum

Negative, that would be JD (politics) and Phil (religion based alternative to health insurance)

You may think getting a good insurance agent is obvious

Obvious to the alternative.. ("I'm looking for an insurance agent, preferably a poor one")

It is what it is, Cricket.

Indeed, and it's (according to it's own admission) NOT insurance.. I felt that was pertinent to point out, now I'm curious about what EXACTLY it is that Phil is suggesting..

It's awfully easy to get screwed, or end up with coverage that leaves you hanging out

Oh, you mean like signing up for a membership to a "health plan" that is "non-garaunteed"...

(FWIW It's difficult for me to address this at all WITHOUT discussing the religion, but I'm managing..)