Ask Ducksouth - Health Insurance

[jdbuckshot]

Well this is not a rant - I know every body pays to much and all that.

I'm interested in what you guys are doing to bring more of your Money home.

I am on commission based pay. so all my benefits I have to pay for.


I am currently on an Aetna insurance - which is really good - $0.00 deductible. 30 co pays - $50 for specialist - $750 maternity deductible.

I pay $413 Every two weeks.

This calendar year I paid $10,754.00 out of my pocket for Premiums.

then on my Commission settlement at the end of the year my company deducts there contribution toward my health insurance which was $8,730.00

So according to that my Premium for 365 days for my family of three was $19,484.00


How is that even possible to cost $20,000 a year for health insurance premiums.

what is your input for lower cost health insurance type plan. I know I would have to have a higher deductible type plan which I am completely okay with.


I'm just tired of watching the $$$$$ run out the door.



FYI We are expecting a baby may 25th.

[Rice]

I just keep the women in my life under 26 and suck it up myself...I dread the day I have a family. I had been to the Dr. maybe 4 times my entire life and it was like $350 a month for me and $1,000 deductible. I think the copayment was 80-20 for the plan.

[Natty]

First of all raise that deductible. That's one thing that's killing you. Why would they deduct their contribution? If they deduct their contribution that ain't no contribution. Maybe I was reading that wrong, but that doesn't make sense.

[jdbuckshot]

[Natty]

I was reading that as you paid $10,xxx and at the end of the year the company deducted $8,xxx from your commission which to me is not a contribution. Don't know how all that works though so that's why I was inquiring.

[mfalkner]

We have BCBS, 80/20 plan with $750/1500 deductible. Last year family coverage was around $15k/year but probably going up this year. I'm an owner so while the company technically pays my premium, it shows up as income for me anyway so I get to pay tax on it also.

I deal with it by being thankful I have good insurance and access to good medical care. Over 30 years of married life and kids, we've needed it quite a bit.

[REBEL DUCK]

if your 1099ed get you a group on the family has to be cheaper than that. I can put you in the right direction if you want to speak to someone that knows. I sell individual BCBS 80/20 and its high but not that high.

[Deltaquack]

I sucked it up this year and did away with old insurance and got BCBS. I bought separate policies for each one of us. In all 5 policies run about $1300 per month. There's something that changed now where you can't buy group insurance unless it's thru your employer or an organization. If I did it as an employer, I'd have to offer it to all employees. The quote was astronomical.

[jdbuckshot]

yea mine is exactly $1652 a month.

#outfreakingrageous

[GrizwalD]

They said pass Obamacare, it will be good

[three11]

[jacksbuddy]

Based on your original post, you are paying an average of $1,625.00 per month on insurance (=/-). From some of the horror stories we've heard in the news, that's d@mn near typical.

It has been suggested that you raise your deductible. To do that, ask yourself - how healthy are you? How healthy is your family? What does your doctor say about this pregnancy? What will happen if you change policies mid-term of this pregnancy? What effect to the premiums will any proposed changes make?

Your current plan has some pretty fantastic benefits. But then you ARE paying for those benefits.

Good luck. And let us know what you decide. (You ain't the only one in this boat.)

[SB]

What options does a person paying $1,652 have?? My thoughts are towards not paying for health insurance or some type of self financing? Can this be done? Will the law allow it if one had the courage not to pay for insurance. What does a person do that can not pay $1,652/month? I know most of the residents of Midnight, MS don't pay $1,652/month and they are still having babies and going to the doctor.

[Gant]

I got tired of paying ridiculous prices for health insurance about 8 years ago. Now, I have a policy that has a 10000 or 11000 deductible, and the premium is 258/month for a family of four. All of us are healthy, so we rarely go to the doctor. This plan also pays for our yearly wellness check ups. The other thing to do is contribute to an Hsa plan. You can contribute 6250, and you can write off the contribution. If you ever have any major medical issues, your HSA account can pay for your high deductible. I am self employed, and this has been by far the best plan for me.

[jdbuckshot]