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Affordable health insurance plans?

19 years ago

Is there such a plan?

My husband died in April of this year. My stepson (17 yrs old), and I (57), were covered under his work health care plan. As of June of this year, we will have to find another plan or go with COBRA.

I have been looking into other plans, but at quotes of $5-600/month for both of us, I can't afford it. I checked into the one where I work, and it would be $400/month with a $1,000 deductable. As you might imagine, my husband made WAAAAY more money than I do, and our income has been cut by three-fourths.

If anyone has any ideas/suggestions, I'd appreciate hearing them. Thank you in advance.

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Comments (4)

Jonesy
19 years ago
I haven't had any experience with this kind of situation, but a friend and her family did. They bought hospitalization only. They paid for all of their doctor's visits and were insured for hospital and doctors visit there. It saved them quit a bit. What's wrong with Cobra?
lindac
19 years ago
There are all sorts of loopholes to be wary of. I would so NOT recommend buying only hospitalization insurance.
Cobra insurance is expensive and very poor coverage!
The plan at your work would likely be the best....but I urge you to read all the fine print and exclusions.
Many people change jobs to have a good health care plan...it's that important.
Linda C
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I read your link tom418 (which is to a blog, BTW), and I stand by what I said. There are many HDHPs available in Mass, but they do have to meet minimum standards. That by no means makes them "deluxe" policies, to use your term. For example, in order not to trigger the tax (or fine, if you prefer), a MASS HDHP: must not limit benefit payments because an individual develops Alzheimer's, mental illness, alcoholism or other chemical dependency after the policy is issued; it can't have a pre-existing condition limitation that lasts for more than six months after the policy's effective date; it must be guaranteed renewable or non-cancelable, etc, etc. Standards like these are a long, long way from demanding that people can only buy "delux" plans, which is what your post claims. What will happen and who will pay their health care costs if one or both of the Williams eventually develops Alzheimer's and their policy doesn't cover it and they, themselves, run out of money? Why should the rest of the taxpayers of Mass pay for them just because they opted for the cheapest type of insurance they thought they could get away with? Apparently, the plan the Williams couple has doesn't meet the minimum standards, but there's just no way to tell why from your link because no further info is provided. So given that you don't have the foggiest idea what their plan covers and doesn't cover, your question "In what way would a high -deductable plan (like the MA couple I mentioned had) be useless?" can be answered, "Don't know exactly, but maybe in a lot of ways."
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Vickey__MN
19 years ago
You may be caught between the proverbial rock and hard place. Depending on your income you may qualify for low income healthcare, IF it is available in your state, call your local County Welfare office. Otherwise, GOOD healthcare that is AFFORDABLE is not always there.

I am sorry for your loss.

Vickey-MN
rob333 (zone 7b)
19 years ago
I am very sorry for your loss, words don't express this well enough. Get a "Certificate of Credible Coverage" from your husband's employer in order to go on your work plan without pre-existing conditions. I cannot stress this enough. Yes, make sure it's the coverage you want.

COBRA is the exact same coverage you already have under your husband's plan. Albeit expensive, you can continue with it until you make up your mind. It's not less in any way, unless you have a plan that is currently inadequate.

What is COBRA?
The Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985 (COBRA) requires most employers with group health plans to offer employees the opportunity to continue temporarily their group health care coverage under their employer's plan if their [or in your case, your husband's] coverage otherwise would cease due to termination, layoff, or other change in employment status (referred to as "qualifying events").

Here is a link that might be useful: COBRA

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