Oct

26

On the Hunt for Affordable Health Insurance

Filed Under Health and Well-Being, Saving Money 

can you afford health care? I am sitting in an orthopedist’s office, waiting for a friend who unfortunately broke her ankle, and fortunately had JUST purchased health insurance after being without it for close to 10 months.  She, like me, was covered by COBRA (at a hefty $400 a month per person) but she missed a payment by just a few days, back in January, and they canceled her.  I, on the other hand, have been up to date, but alas, January marks the end of my 18-month eligibility, and I find myself needing to either find a new job with benefits, or find some new, affordable health care coverage.  Besides, $400 a month is a lot of money, and I think I can do better.  After all, I am a Professional Frugalista!

The state of Florida, where I live, offers something called Cover Florida, although yesterday’s paper reported that the cost savings, while decent, are not as substantial as previously stated, and the level of care can suffer exponentially.  I tried to hang in until the “public option” becomes a real option, but something tells me it’s time to start looking.

Saving money on health care, including insurance, is a topic on almost every American’s mind these days, so it’s something we here at ILAGB are taking more seriously than many of our money-saving categories.  So we embark on a journey for the best, cheapest plan, with access to the best care.

Now, if you have a friend or relative who sells insurance, that’s always a great place to start.  Explain up front, however, nicely, that you’re going to go with the best plan you can find, and that you will keep shopping until you’re confident that you’ve found it.

If you have no personal contacts in the field, ask around for referrals.  I am putting the word out on Facebook as well as here on the blog.  I’m going to search on the internet, first a specific search for the Cover Florida program, and then a general search for “affordable health insurance Florida”.  I’m going to ask my friends.  I’m going to sort through the e- and regular mail for those offers that often show up, which I’ve been saving since I realized that this time would come. And then,  having reached the ripe age of 53, with a little “medical history”,  my first call  is AARP.

AARP Health was excellent.  I was given an overview of the available plans in my area, sent to a website where all the info was available in print, given a price range (rather wide, of course) and before I got off the phone, I received an email confirmation of my request, and a promise that I would be contacted by a local agent with the next few days.  Pretty efficient!

Searching Cover Florida was quick and easy.  #1 is a local agency who had the foresight to buy the domain name.  I’m sticking with the companies, to start.   #2 is the government site, which gave me four companies to call, and a four-page spreadsheet on all the available plans.  I’ll print that out and study it tonight, so I can begin calling in earnest tomorrow.

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