Advice needed - private health insurance?
June 25, 2008 03:23 AM EDT
views: 96
|
rating: 9.8/10
(31 votes)
|
comments: 25
I haven't talked about this publicly just because it's all been up in the air... but about 2 weeks ago my husband was laid off from his Plumbing job because the housing market has been so slow here.
He wasn't sure if he'd be going back to that employer (his cousin) or not because he wasn't sure just how far in the hole the company was or if he'd take this chance to switch to Commercial Plumbing from Residential. He just kind of sat around wondering what was going on, not knowing if he would be called in again soon, if he should file for unemployment or if he should just look for another job.
Besides the fact that money is even tighter than normal, an even bigger worry is the fact that if he's not working then we won't have Insurance!
The good news that's happened to us is that he decided to start working for another company, but the bad news is that the company is so small that they don't even offer Insurance! Obviously that's a HUGE deal for us since we're a family of five, some of us with chronic conditions. His old employer provided company paid Medical, Dental and Vision insurance, so we're stressed out for sure.
I'm writing this article hoping for some advice from all of you about Private Insurance. Where do I even go to look for it? Do I start online or do I contact our current insurance to see if they offer private policies?
If any of you currently have private insurance or have gone through this before, can you please help me out with this? Thanks!
Faith
Please provide details below to help Gather review this content. If it is found to be inappropriate and in violation of the Gather Terms of Service, action will be taken.
You have successfully submitted a report for this post.
|
|
|
rate
email
print
link to this page
Comments: 25
They also have free medical cards for prescriptions available on the internet. They offer pretty decent discounts at many pharmacies. For a rather small amount per year, they offer medical cards for services as well. These are discount cards and not insurance, but at least they would help over the hump. Good luck to you.
You might look to see if there are association plans if your husband is in the plumbers union or trade association. If you are over 50 and AARP members, they may have a plan for you. Other fraternal groups, etc. may. Depending on you income level, states may have cooperative arrangements that can get you into some plans, even with pre-existing conditions. Oregon's Insurance Dept may be able to give you some guidance.
Good luck.
:o)
Just make sure if you have to go to doctor,pharmacy, you do your shopping for groceries etc; on your way home to make that decuctable LOL. YOu are coming from the doctor, what the heck, stop at the grocery store on the way. Plan your meals and buy bargains, cut down on expenses. Dang I sound like a momma here. I did run my dad,s business and took it over and ran my own until I got ill.
My suggestion for the chronic conditions, are they bad enough that you might be able to get SSI or even disibilty for them? Otherwise I really don't know where to turn.
I have to go to the State of Wisconsin for my coverage. I was denied by regular insurance companies because my cholesterol is 286. I am perfectly healthy, but they consider me too much of a risk.
Try checking out http://www.ehealthinsurance.com/ That is where I started when I got mine and the step daughters.
I don't know the different rules and regulations for Oregon, but I am sure that you can find something that works for you and your family. Your preexisting condition may be an issue though, sorry. (Although mine didn't have a problem with my depression issues, so you never know)
It is a good idea to be thinking about what kind of coverage you want, an HMO, PPO and all that. Also be thinking about what sort of deductible that you can deal with and what kind of prescription coverage. For his daughter, I went for more in case of emergency type coverage, because she is younger and healthy. For me, I made sure that the prescriptions and mental health coverage was good.
I have insurance directly from Blue Cross and it works for me.
If you have any questions, feel free to PM me:)
I don't know what your income is, but you may qualify for a reduced-cost medical insurance plan for the kids, if your state has one. Here I think it's called Healthy Family or Family Care or something like that. The kids could all be covered with great coverage under a plan like that (which typically costs less than $10 a month per child) and then that would reduce the cost for you and hubby to buy your own plan privately since you'd be buying for 2 adults instead of a family of 5. Good luck! Let me know if you need any help!
The insurance agent I work for sells health insurance as well. Definately check with your auto/home carrier. The may also sell health insurance. If they don't, let me know and I will give you my office number and Debbie can help you :) She has clients all over the state, so don't let that discourage ya!
Good luck! Love and miss ya!
I applied for Life Insurance from them and was denyed because I of pre existing conditions.. I am having that looked into now.
I don't know how folks like us will keep up. It is very scary.
I hope somethings comes through for your family.