Insurance enrollment

[Mommafirst]

Its open enrollment for our insurance at work. Its the only two weeks of the year that I can change plans. Our out of pocket expenses have been so tough this last year. We only have $15 co-pays for visits, but when you see a doctor practically every week (and some visits my non-CF family members get seen as well) it really adds up!!! Plus our meds co-pays are between $10 - $40 each, guess how much most of the CF meds are?? GRRR.

So here are my questions... do you have a flexible spending account for covering the out of pocket expenses with pre-tax dollars, and if so what is a reasonable amount to put in there?

Secondly, my dd got her vest in March. My insurance started making payments about 2 months ago. From my explanation of benefits it looks like they are paying about $1,200 a month on it. So does that mean that they'll have it paid off in a year? What would happen if I switched insurance companies before they paid it off? When it is paid off, am I in the freee and clear to switch companies, or does the machine belong to the insurance company -- will they take it away from us?? I'm thinking I should stay with the current company at least until its paid off. Anyone have any experience or insight??

Thanks!!!

 

[Mommafirst]

Its open enrollment for our insurance at work. Its the only two weeks of the year that I can change plans. Our out of pocket expenses have been so tough this last year. We only have $15 co-pays for visits, but when you see a doctor practically every week (and some visits my non-CF family members get seen as well) it really adds up!!! Plus our meds co-pays are between $10 - $40 each, guess how much most of the CF meds are?? GRRR.

So here are my questions... do you have a flexible spending account for covering the out of pocket expenses with pre-tax dollars, and if so what is a reasonable amount to put in there?

Secondly, my dd got her vest in March. My insurance started making payments about 2 months ago. From my explanation of benefits it looks like they are paying about $1,200 a month on it. So does that mean that they'll have it paid off in a year? What would happen if I switched insurance companies before they paid it off? When it is paid off, am I in the freee and clear to switch companies, or does the machine belong to the insurance company -- will they take it away from us?? I'm thinking I should stay with the current company at least until its paid off. Anyone have any experience or insight??

Thanks!!!

 

[Mommafirst]

Its open enrollment for our insurance at work. Its the only two weeks of the year that I can change plans. Our out of pocket expenses have been so tough this last year. We only have $15 co-pays for visits, but when you see a doctor practically every week (and some visits my non-CF family members get seen as well) it really adds up!!! Plus our meds co-pays are between $10 - $40 each, guess how much most of the CF meds are?? GRRR.

So here are my questions... do you have a flexible spending account for covering the out of pocket expenses with pre-tax dollars, and if so what is a reasonable amount to put in there?

Secondly, my dd got her vest in March. My insurance started making payments about 2 months ago. From my explanation of benefits it looks like they are paying about $1,200 a month on it. So does that mean that they'll have it paid off in a year? What would happen if I switched insurance companies before they paid it off? When it is paid off, am I in the freee and clear to switch companies, or does the machine belong to the insurance company -- will they take it away from us?? I'm thinking I should stay with the current company at least until its paid off. Anyone have any experience or insight??

Thanks!!!

 

[Mommafirst]

Its open enrollment for our insurance at work. Its the only two weeks of the year that I can change plans. Our out of pocket expenses have been so tough this last year. We only have $15 co-pays for visits, but when you see a doctor practically every week (and some visits my non-CF family members get seen as well) it really adds up!!! Plus our meds co-pays are between $10 - $40 each, guess how much most of the CF meds are?? GRRR.

So here are my questions... do you have a flexible spending account for covering the out of pocket expenses with pre-tax dollars, and if so what is a reasonable amount to put in there?

Secondly, my dd got her vest in March. My insurance started making payments about 2 months ago. From my explanation of benefits it looks like they are paying about $1,200 a month on it. So does that mean that they'll have it paid off in a year? What would happen if I switched insurance companies before they paid it off? When it is paid off, am I in the freee and clear to switch companies, or does the machine belong to the insurance company -- will they take it away from us?? I'm thinking I should stay with the current company at least until its paid off. Anyone have any experience or insight??

Thanks!!!

 

[Mommafirst]

Its open enrollment for our insurance at work. Its the only two weeks of the year that I can change plans. Our out of pocket expenses have been so tough this last year. We only have $15 co-pays for visits, but when you see a doctor practically every week (and some visits my non-CF family members get seen as well) it really adds up!!! Plus our meds co-pays are between $10 - $40 each, guess how much most of the CF meds are?? GRRR.

So here are my questions... do you have a flexible spending account for covering the out of pocket expenses with pre-tax dollars, and if so what is a reasonable amount to put in there?

Secondly, my dd got her vest in March. My insurance started making payments about 2 months ago. From my explanation of benefits it looks like they are paying about $1,200 a month on it. So does that mean that they'll have it paid off in a year? What would happen if I switched insurance companies before they paid it off? When it is paid off, am I in the freee and clear to switch companies, or does the machine belong to the insurance company -- will they take it away from us?? I'm thinking I should stay with the current company at least until its paid off. Anyone have any experience or insight??

Thanks!!!

 

[AbbysMama]

Holy cow! So much stuff I hadn't even thought about. Our open enrollment just ended and we had to switch providers, so there is no telling how messed up we will be. I don't have any answers, but I do want to learn what others have done!

 

[AbbysMama]

Holy cow! So much stuff I hadn't even thought about. Our open enrollment just ended and we had to switch providers, so there is no telling how messed up we will be. I don't have any answers, but I do want to learn what others have done!

 

[AbbysMama]

Holy cow! So much stuff I hadn't even thought about. Our open enrollment just ended and we had to switch providers, so there is no telling how messed up we will be. I don't have any answers, but I do want to learn what others have done!

 

[AbbysMama]

Holy cow! So much stuff I hadn't even thought about. Our open enrollment just ended and we had to switch providers, so there is no telling how messed up we will be. I don't have any answers, but I do want to learn what others have done!

 

[AbbysMama]

Holy cow! So much stuff I hadn't even thought about. Our open enrollment just ended and we had to switch providers, so there is no telling how messed up we will be. I don't have any answers, but I do want to learn what others have done!

 

[Ratatosk]

Last year I took out $1250 in medical and pretty much ran out by June. With 5 meds a month with a $15 copay, I'd forgotten how that tends to add up after we meet our out of pocket max for drugs, which is $1000. Figure this year I'll add an extra $600 to cover the meds. With the vest, all but $500 was covered. Unfortunately, they didn't bill us for almost a year and by then even if flex WOULD have covered it, we'd already run out of money for the year.

If I don't need the money, I've been throwing it into a money market account for DS's future. To date we have about $10,000 in it. Also throw the dependent care flex in there, too.

 

[Ratatosk]

Last year I took out $1250 in medical and pretty much ran out by June. With 5 meds a month with a $15 copay, I'd forgotten how that tends to add up after we meet our out of pocket max for drugs, which is $1000. Figure this year I'll add an extra $600 to cover the meds. With the vest, all but $500 was covered. Unfortunately, they didn't bill us for almost a year and by then even if flex WOULD have covered it, we'd already run out of money for the year.

If I don't need the money, I've been throwing it into a money market account for DS's future. To date we have about $10,000 in it. Also throw the dependent care flex in there, too.

 

[Ratatosk]

Last year I took out $1250 in medical and pretty much ran out by June. With 5 meds a month with a $15 copay, I'd forgotten how that tends to add up after we meet our out of pocket max for drugs, which is $1000. Figure this year I'll add an extra $600 to cover the meds. With the vest, all but $500 was covered. Unfortunately, they didn't bill us for almost a year and by then even if flex WOULD have covered it, we'd already run out of money for the year.

If I don't need the money, I've been throwing it into a money market account for DS's future. To date we have about $10,000 in it. Also throw the dependent care flex in there, too.

 

[Ratatosk]

Last year I took out $1250 in medical and pretty much ran out by June. With 5 meds a month with a $15 copay, I'd forgotten how that tends to add up after we meet our out of pocket max for drugs, which is $1000. Figure this year I'll add an extra $600 to cover the meds. With the vest, all but $500 was covered. Unfortunately, they didn't bill us for almost a year and by then even if flex WOULD have covered it, we'd already run out of money for the year.

If I don't need the money, I've been throwing it into a money market account for DS's future. To date we have about $10,000 in it. Also throw the dependent care flex in there, too.

 

[Ratatosk]

Last year I took out $1250 in medical and pretty much ran out by June. With 5 meds a month with a $15 copay, I'd forgotten how that tends to add up after we meet our out of pocket max for drugs, which is $1000. Figure this year I'll add an extra $600 to cover the meds. With the vest, all but $500 was covered. Unfortunately, they didn't bill us for almost a year and by then even if flex WOULD have covered it, we'd already run out of money for the year.

If I don't need the money, I've been throwing it into a money market account for DS's future. To date we have about $10,000 in it. Also throw the dependent care flex in there, too.

 

[TonyaH]

Heather my hubby and I were just talking about this tonight! Funny, huh?

We have to set our flex spending amount for next year and have decided to up it from 2500 to 3000 because we ran out in August this year. We could probably up it even a little more than 3000 because I have a feeling we may be doing TOBI for awhile after Andrew's picc is out. Also, he's 9 and its time to get an ortho consult. His smile is cute right now at age 9, but without braces it won't be cute for long! Fun Fun Fun!

As far as the coverage of your vest, I'm not sure what would happen if you switch companies mid-stream, but without a committment to pay from your current insurance company I don't know that I would switch right now. And knowing insurance companies, your chances of getting something in writing is slim to none.

Good luck!

 

[TonyaH]

Heather my hubby and I were just talking about this tonight! Funny, huh?

We have to set our flex spending amount for next year and have decided to up it from 2500 to 3000 because we ran out in August this year. We could probably up it even a little more than 3000 because I have a feeling we may be doing TOBI for awhile after Andrew's picc is out. Also, he's 9 and its time to get an ortho consult. His smile is cute right now at age 9, but without braces it won't be cute for long! Fun Fun Fun!

As far as the coverage of your vest, I'm not sure what would happen if you switch companies mid-stream, but without a committment to pay from your current insurance company I don't know that I would switch right now. And knowing insurance companies, your chances of getting something in writing is slim to none.

Good luck!

 

[TonyaH]

Heather my hubby and I were just talking about this tonight! Funny, huh?

We have to set our flex spending amount for next year and have decided to up it from 2500 to 3000 because we ran out in August this year. We could probably up it even a little more than 3000 because I have a feeling we may be doing TOBI for awhile after Andrew's picc is out. Also, he's 9 and its time to get an ortho consult. His smile is cute right now at age 9, but without braces it won't be cute for long! Fun Fun Fun!

As far as the coverage of your vest, I'm not sure what would happen if you switch companies mid-stream, but without a committment to pay from your current insurance company I don't know that I would switch right now. And knowing insurance companies, your chances of getting something in writing is slim to none.

Good luck!

 

[TonyaH]

Heather my hubby and I were just talking about this tonight! Funny, huh?

We have to set our flex spending amount for next year and have decided to up it from 2500 to 3000 because we ran out in August this year. We could probably up it even a little more than 3000 because I have a feeling we may be doing TOBI for awhile after Andrew's picc is out. Also, he's 9 and its time to get an ortho consult. His smile is cute right now at age 9, but without braces it won't be cute for long! Fun Fun Fun!

As far as the coverage of your vest, I'm not sure what would happen if you switch companies mid-stream, but without a committment to pay from your current insurance company I don't know that I would switch right now. And knowing insurance companies, your chances of getting something in writing is slim to none.

Good luck!

 

[TonyaH]

Heather my hubby and I were just talking about this tonight! Funny, huh?

We have to set our flex spending amount for next year and have decided to up it from 2500 to 3000 because we ran out in August this year. We could probably up it even a little more than 3000 because I have a feeling we may be doing TOBI for awhile after Andrew's picc is out. Also, he's 9 and its time to get an ortho consult. His smile is cute right now at age 9, but without braces it won't be cute for long! Fun Fun Fun!

As far as the coverage of your vest, I'm not sure what would happen if you switch companies mid-stream, but without a committment to pay from your current insurance company I don't know that I would switch right now. And knowing insurance companies, your chances of getting something in writing is slim to none.

Good luck!