Nov

18

Affordable Health Insurance (?)

Filed Under Health and Well-Being, Money, Finance and Other Serious Stuff, Saving Money | Comments Off

Affordable Health Care at Ellis Island

Affordable Health Care at Ellis Island

I’m not so sure that the word “affordable” applies here to the topic of Health Insurance.  And after yesterday’s news of the new recommendations for mammograms for breast cancer screenings, it’s a point that we all, especially women, need to take seriously, and soon.

The more research I do to find my next health insurance policy options, the more I realize that I don’t know.  There are endless options, and I’ve spoken with close to a dozen agents now, both individuals and those that answer 800 numbers, and overall, I am a) more confused than ever and b)mostly unimpressed by their so called expertise (except for a few.  Read on.) and lack of follow-up skills.

I’ve talked about HSAs, tax-favored savings accounts that are used in conjunction with a health insurance plan to reduce tax burden and help one save for retirement,(not for me), high and low deductibles, co-pays, lifetime caps, and out of pocket maximums.  I’ve almost been turned down, I’m about out of energy, but I have come to some conclusions:

1) The more I shop around, the more confident I am that I have found my best plan.  No surprise there, but it’s not a rule I have followed in the past

2) I’m going to have to pay somewhere in the $200 per month range for the services I need; not bad, as it’s about half of what I am paying now!

At the beginning of this series, I mentioned Cover Florida, the low-cost option for un-, self- or under-employed Florida residents.  It seemed a good option for me right now, lowest cost, guaranteed acceptance (especially important if you have any, and I mean ANY, pre-existing conditions; and who doesn’t?) and even the possibility of national coverage, so I can continue to see some of my long-term doctors in other states. Yet  almost every agent I spoke with brushed it off as something for people who are otherwise uninsurable.  Until Cesar, who I met accidentally at a social event the other night. It was not until we exchanged cards that I learned that he is a health insurance broker.

Cesar was the first and only of all the brokers who, based on my answers to his basic screening questions, offered a few new health care options:

1) Cover Florida, which he thinks might be the perfect option for me at this time (short-term cash-flow crunch).

2) A one-person group option!

3) A group plan though my company, a two-person LLC.

Hail, Cesar!  You may have cut through the nonsense and become my new broker.  Here’s a guy that made me feel that he’s putting me first, not worrying about the meager commission paid on the Cover FL plan, and coming up with an idea that NOT ONE of the others had mentioned.

I’ll let you know the bottom line when he gets back to me with actual numbers.  Also in my next post will be some ideas on how to cope when you have no or not-enough insurance.  Especially when you need to examine your boobies.

Meanwhile, click here to read more about how to take care of yourself at a discount.

Oct

30

Insurance On My Mind

Filed Under Automotive, Health and Well-Being, Money, Finance and Other Serious Stuff | Comments Off

illustration:http://www.joefloridainsurance.com/

illustration:http://www.joefloridainsurance.com/

As I am looking into affordable health insurance, I am suddenly face to face with all kinds of insurance issues.

I paid a monthly premium for about a year to have an extended warrantee on my car.  It never covered one penny of any repairs my car needed.  This week, for the first time, it will actually pay in full, less my $50 deductible, for a replacement window motor.

I’m about to exhaust my unemployment insurance, I just received notice that my home insurer will not cover me after this year, my friends are talking about long-term insurance and I am waiting for receipt of the replacement hard drive for one that broke, one that I actually purchased a warrantee for.

My husband is very anti-insurance industry in general, while I, especially with my computer and iPhone, feel a great sense of comfort that I have that cushion.  Like with anything, though, you and I like to know that we get the best coverage at the best price, the best value for our money.

So let’s get back to affordable health insurance, where the product is not stuff, it us.   Today, after a few minutes with a telephone rep from Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Florida, I learned that I was eligible for a plan costing half the amount of my current premium, with no deductible!  This one sounds great.  Let’s see how it develops.

How do YOU feel about insurance?  Necessary evil? Security blanket? Totally ridiculous?  Please post your comments.  What info can we find for you?

P.S. While looking for an illustration for this article, I came upon a site about Florida insurance and the best prices.   I’ll definitely check it out and report back.

P.P.S. This Sunday is the best day of the year for buying costume basics for next Halloween.  Maybe you can try one of the great costumes you saw this year.  HAPPY HALLOWEEN!