Private insurance question

[sephiroth99is]

Hello,

I'm looking to switch jobs and was hoping to get some insight into the battle for getting good insurance. My wife has CF and is 25 yrs old and I am 27(healthy).

My current job has a PPO plan that I am on that provides pretty good coverage and covers all my wifes meds, lung transplants at UAB, etc.. The job I'm looking at pays considerably more but their insurance plan is an HSA. I've tried to look up information on an HSA plan and it doesn't sound like a good plan for someone w/ a chronic illness.

How hard is it to find private insurance that covers all my wifes meds, inpatient stays, and potentially a future lung transplant? Could I find good coverage for like $1k a month? Any websites that you can defer me too?

 

[sephiroth99is]

Hello,

I'm looking to switch jobs and was hoping to get some insight into the battle for getting good insurance. My wife has CF and is 25 yrs old and I am 27(healthy).

My current job has a PPO plan that I am on that provides pretty good coverage and covers all my wifes meds, lung transplants at UAB, etc.. The job I'm looking at pays considerably more but their insurance plan is an HSA. I've tried to look up information on an HSA plan and it doesn't sound like a good plan for someone w/ a chronic illness.

How hard is it to find private insurance that covers all my wifes meds, inpatient stays, and potentially a future lung transplant? Could I find good coverage for like $1k a month? Any websites that you can defer me too?

 

[sephiroth99is]

Hello,

I'm looking to switch jobs and was hoping to get some insight into the battle for getting good insurance. My wife has CF and is 25 yrs old and I am 27(healthy).

My current job has a PPO plan that I am on that provides pretty good coverage and covers all my wifes meds, lung transplants at UAB, etc.. The job I'm looking at pays considerably more but their insurance plan is an HSA. I've tried to look up information on an HSA plan and it doesn't sound like a good plan for someone w/ a chronic illness.

How hard is it to find private insurance that covers all my wifes meds, inpatient stays, and potentially a future lung transplant? Could I find good coverage for like $1k a month? Any websites that you can defer me too?

 

[sephiroth99is]

Hello,

I'm looking to switch jobs and was hoping to get some insight into the battle for getting good insurance. My wife has CF and is 25 yrs old and I am 27(healthy).

My current job has a PPO plan that I am on that provides pretty good coverage and covers all my wifes meds, lung transplants at UAB, etc.. The job I'm looking at pays considerably more but their insurance plan is an HSA. I've tried to look up information on an HSA plan and it doesn't sound like a good plan for someone w/ a chronic illness.

How hard is it to find private insurance that covers all my wifes meds, inpatient stays, and potentially a future lung transplant? Could I find good coverage for like $1k a month? Any websites that you can defer me too?

 

[sephiroth99is]

Hello,
<br />
<br />I'm looking to switch jobs and was hoping to get some insight into the battle for getting good insurance. My wife has CF and is 25 yrs old and I am 27(healthy).
<br />
<br />My current job has a PPO plan that I am on that provides pretty good coverage and covers all my wifes meds, lung transplants at UAB, etc.. The job I'm looking at pays considerably more but their insurance plan is an HSA. I've tried to look up information on an HSA plan and it doesn't sound like a good plan for someone w/ a chronic illness.
<br />
<br />How hard is it to find private insurance that covers all my wifes meds, inpatient stays, and potentially a future lung transplant? Could I find good coverage for like $1k a month? Any websites that you can defer me too?

 

[bittyhorse23]

I have had a lot of problems finding any insurance to pick me up unless it is through an employer. I would say to get the insurance for her and maybe look into a suplemental one to help with costs.

<img src="i/expressions/heart.gif" border="0">

 

[bittyhorse23]

I have had a lot of problems finding any insurance to pick me up unless it is through an employer. I would say to get the insurance for her and maybe look into a suplemental one to help with costs.

<img src="i/expressions/heart.gif" border="0">

 

[bittyhorse23]

I have had a lot of problems finding any insurance to pick me up unless it is through an employer. I would say to get the insurance for her and maybe look into a suplemental one to help with costs.

<img src="i/expressions/heart.gif" border="0">

 

[bittyhorse23]

I have had a lot of problems finding any insurance to pick me up unless it is through an employer. I would say to get the insurance for her and maybe look into a suplemental one to help with costs.

<img src="i/expressions/heart.gif" border="0">

 

[bittyhorse23]

I have had a lot of problems finding any insurance to pick me up unless it is through an employer. I would say to get the insurance for her and maybe look into a suplemental one to help with costs.
<br />
<br /><img src="i/expressions/heart.gif" border="0">

 

[myHSAguy]

As an insurance agent since 1989 I can tell you obtaining quality health insurance outside of an employer group plan will be difficult if not impossible for you to find for your wife.

Although the common perception is that a higher deductible doesn't work well for people with cronic health conditions, you might want to take another look at the HSA plan being offered. Most HSA qualified plans (High Deductible Health Plans or HDHPs) actually cover cronic conditions very well, especially when it comes to prescription medications. Yes, you do have to satisfy your calendar year deductible before it will begin to pay, however some HDHPs will cover all medical expenses including prescription drugs at 100% after the deductible. Although some companies will have co-pays or co-insurance after the deductible is satisfied they are forced to switch to 100% by federal law or else they aren't HSA qualified plans. When you add up the total number of co-pays you normally spend on top of your deductible and co-insurance it is very common for co-pay based plans to cost more out-of-pocket than a one-deductible HDHP.

I wrote about this very situation last month:
<a target=_blank class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="http://hsaguy.wordpress.com/2008/05/01/do-co-pays-really-make-sense/
">http://hsaguy.wordpress.com/20...ys-really-make-sense/
</a>
You might have the best health insurance plan available to you along with the higher pay!

Did I mention you get tremendous tax advantages using your HSA?

Scott

 

[myHSAguy]

As an insurance agent since 1989 I can tell you obtaining quality health insurance outside of an employer group plan will be difficult if not impossible for you to find for your wife.

Although the common perception is that a higher deductible doesn't work well for people with cronic health conditions, you might want to take another look at the HSA plan being offered. Most HSA qualified plans (High Deductible Health Plans or HDHPs) actually cover cronic conditions very well, especially when it comes to prescription medications. Yes, you do have to satisfy your calendar year deductible before it will begin to pay, however some HDHPs will cover all medical expenses including prescription drugs at 100% after the deductible. Although some companies will have co-pays or co-insurance after the deductible is satisfied they are forced to switch to 100% by federal law or else they aren't HSA qualified plans. When you add up the total number of co-pays you normally spend on top of your deductible and co-insurance it is very common for co-pay based plans to cost more out-of-pocket than a one-deductible HDHP.

I wrote about this very situation last month:
<a target=_blank class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="http://hsaguy.wordpress.com/2008/05/01/do-co-pays-really-make-sense/
">http://hsaguy.wordpress.com/20...ys-really-make-sense/
</a>
You might have the best health insurance plan available to you along with the higher pay!

Did I mention you get tremendous tax advantages using your HSA?

Scott

 

[myHSAguy]

As an insurance agent since 1989 I can tell you obtaining quality health insurance outside of an employer group plan will be difficult if not impossible for you to find for your wife.

Although the common perception is that a higher deductible doesn't work well for people with cronic health conditions, you might want to take another look at the HSA plan being offered. Most HSA qualified plans (High Deductible Health Plans or HDHPs) actually cover cronic conditions very well, especially when it comes to prescription medications. Yes, you do have to satisfy your calendar year deductible before it will begin to pay, however some HDHPs will cover all medical expenses including prescription drugs at 100% after the deductible. Although some companies will have co-pays or co-insurance after the deductible is satisfied they are forced to switch to 100% by federal law or else they aren't HSA qualified plans. When you add up the total number of co-pays you normally spend on top of your deductible and co-insurance it is very common for co-pay based plans to cost more out-of-pocket than a one-deductible HDHP.

I wrote about this very situation last month:
<a target=_blank class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="http://hsaguy.wordpress.com/2008/05/01/do-co-pays-really-make-sense/
">http://hsaguy.wordpress.com/20...ys-really-make-sense/
</a>
You might have the best health insurance plan available to you along with the higher pay!

Did I mention you get tremendous tax advantages using your HSA?

Scott

 

[myHSAguy]

As an insurance agent since 1989 I can tell you obtaining quality health insurance outside of an employer group plan will be difficult if not impossible for you to find for your wife.

Although the common perception is that a higher deductible doesn't work well for people with cronic health conditions, you might want to take another look at the HSA plan being offered. Most HSA qualified plans (High Deductible Health Plans or HDHPs) actually cover cronic conditions very well, especially when it comes to prescription medications. Yes, you do have to satisfy your calendar year deductible before it will begin to pay, however some HDHPs will cover all medical expenses including prescription drugs at 100% after the deductible. Although some companies will have co-pays or co-insurance after the deductible is satisfied they are forced to switch to 100% by federal law or else they aren't HSA qualified plans. When you add up the total number of co-pays you normally spend on top of your deductible and co-insurance it is very common for co-pay based plans to cost more out-of-pocket than a one-deductible HDHP.

I wrote about this very situation last month:
<a target=_blank class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="http://hsaguy.wordpress.com/2008/05/01/do-co-pays-really-make-sense/
">http://hsaguy.wordpress.com/20...ys-really-make-sense/
</a>
You might have the best health insurance plan available to you along with the higher pay!

Did I mention you get tremendous tax advantages using your HSA?

Scott

 

[myHSAguy]

As an insurance agent since 1989 I can tell you obtaining quality health insurance outside of an employer group plan will be difficult if not impossible for you to find for your wife.
<br />
<br />Although the common perception is that a higher deductible doesn't work well for people with cronic health conditions, you might want to take another look at the HSA plan being offered. Most HSA qualified plans (High Deductible Health Plans or HDHPs) actually cover cronic conditions very well, especially when it comes to prescription medications. Yes, you do have to satisfy your calendar year deductible before it will begin to pay, however some HDHPs will cover all medical expenses including prescription drugs at 100% after the deductible. Although some companies will have co-pays or co-insurance after the deductible is satisfied they are forced to switch to 100% by federal law or else they aren't HSA qualified plans. When you add up the total number of co-pays you normally spend on top of your deductible and co-insurance it is very common for co-pay based plans to cost more out-of-pocket than a one-deductible HDHP.
<br />
<br />I wrote about this very situation last month:
<br /><a target=_blank class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="http://hsaguy.wordpress.com/2008/05/01/do-co-pays-really-make-sense/
">http://hsaguy.wordpress.com/20...ys-really-make-sense/
</a><br />
<br />You might have the best health insurance plan available to you along with the higher pay!
<br />
<br />Did I mention you get tremendous tax advantages using your HSA?
<br />
<br />Scott

 

[concernedmom]

We have an HSA. It's actually better coverage for our family than the PPO we had previously (same network). But, then, I'm employed through my family's business (small business).
<hr>
You really have to look at the coverage for both. I'd suggest comparing all of the following: (1) networks, (2) deductibles, (3) covered services, including drugs, (4) max out of pocket, (5) lifetime benefits, (6) coinsurance after the deductible, (7) your premium for the insurance.
<hr>
Also, for the HSA, find out if the company puts any money in for you. I designed our HSA. It covers 100% of preventive services, regardless of whether you've met the deductible. It has an extensive network. Once you've met the deductible, it pays 100% of all other covered services. In our case, the deductible is $4,000 for a family; however, our company puts in the first $2,000; therefore, if you use the network, the max out of pocket for a family is $2,000/yr ($4,000 deductible less $2,000 company puts in.) The employee may then put the next $2,000 in through payroll deductions. This $2,000 goes in pre-tax like an FSA; therefore, for the average person, that $2,000 actually costs around $1,500. Under our old PPO, the max out of pocket with copays and everything was around $5,000/yr. That's a HUGE savings for our family ($5,000 - $1,500 = $3,500 savings.)
<hr>
The trickiest part of the HSA is the beginning, before you've built up money in the HSA. I recommended that all of our employees switch to mail order on our old PPO the month before we started the HSA. That way, they had a 3 month supply of all meds and were able to build up their HSAs before they had to buy more RXs.

HTH.

 

[concernedmom]

We have an HSA. It's actually better coverage for our family than the PPO we had previously (same network). But, then, I'm employed through my family's business (small business).
<hr>
You really have to look at the coverage for both. I'd suggest comparing all of the following: (1) networks, (2) deductibles, (3) covered services, including drugs, (4) max out of pocket, (5) lifetime benefits, (6) coinsurance after the deductible, (7) your premium for the insurance.
<hr>
Also, for the HSA, find out if the company puts any money in for you. I designed our HSA. It covers 100% of preventive services, regardless of whether you've met the deductible. It has an extensive network. Once you've met the deductible, it pays 100% of all other covered services. In our case, the deductible is $4,000 for a family; however, our company puts in the first $2,000; therefore, if you use the network, the max out of pocket for a family is $2,000/yr ($4,000 deductible less $2,000 company puts in.) The employee may then put the next $2,000 in through payroll deductions. This $2,000 goes in pre-tax like an FSA; therefore, for the average person, that $2,000 actually costs around $1,500. Under our old PPO, the max out of pocket with copays and everything was around $5,000/yr. That's a HUGE savings for our family ($5,000 - $1,500 = $3,500 savings.)
<hr>
The trickiest part of the HSA is the beginning, before you've built up money in the HSA. I recommended that all of our employees switch to mail order on our old PPO the month before we started the HSA. That way, they had a 3 month supply of all meds and were able to build up their HSAs before they had to buy more RXs.

HTH.

 

[concernedmom]

We have an HSA. It's actually better coverage for our family than the PPO we had previously (same network). But, then, I'm employed through my family's business (small business).
<hr>
You really have to look at the coverage for both. I'd suggest comparing all of the following: (1) networks, (2) deductibles, (3) covered services, including drugs, (4) max out of pocket, (5) lifetime benefits, (6) coinsurance after the deductible, (7) your premium for the insurance.
<hr>
Also, for the HSA, find out if the company puts any money in for you. I designed our HSA. It covers 100% of preventive services, regardless of whether you've met the deductible. It has an extensive network. Once you've met the deductible, it pays 100% of all other covered services. In our case, the deductible is $4,000 for a family; however, our company puts in the first $2,000; therefore, if you use the network, the max out of pocket for a family is $2,000/yr ($4,000 deductible less $2,000 company puts in.) The employee may then put the next $2,000 in through payroll deductions. This $2,000 goes in pre-tax like an FSA; therefore, for the average person, that $2,000 actually costs around $1,500. Under our old PPO, the max out of pocket with copays and everything was around $5,000/yr. That's a HUGE savings for our family ($5,000 - $1,500 = $3,500 savings.)
<hr>
The trickiest part of the HSA is the beginning, before you've built up money in the HSA. I recommended that all of our employees switch to mail order on our old PPO the month before we started the HSA. That way, they had a 3 month supply of all meds and were able to build up their HSAs before they had to buy more RXs.

HTH.

 

[concernedmom]

We have an HSA. It's actually better coverage for our family than the PPO we had previously (same network). But, then, I'm employed through my family's business (small business).
<hr>
You really have to look at the coverage for both. I'd suggest comparing all of the following: (1) networks, (2) deductibles, (3) covered services, including drugs, (4) max out of pocket, (5) lifetime benefits, (6) coinsurance after the deductible, (7) your premium for the insurance.
<hr>
Also, for the HSA, find out if the company puts any money in for you. I designed our HSA. It covers 100% of preventive services, regardless of whether you've met the deductible. It has an extensive network. Once you've met the deductible, it pays 100% of all other covered services. In our case, the deductible is $4,000 for a family; however, our company puts in the first $2,000; therefore, if you use the network, the max out of pocket for a family is $2,000/yr ($4,000 deductible less $2,000 company puts in.) The employee may then put the next $2,000 in through payroll deductions. This $2,000 goes in pre-tax like an FSA; therefore, for the average person, that $2,000 actually costs around $1,500. Under our old PPO, the max out of pocket with copays and everything was around $5,000/yr. That's a HUGE savings for our family ($5,000 - $1,500 = $3,500 savings.)
<hr>
The trickiest part of the HSA is the beginning, before you've built up money in the HSA. I recommended that all of our employees switch to mail order on our old PPO the month before we started the HSA. That way, they had a 3 month supply of all meds and were able to build up their HSAs before they had to buy more RXs.

HTH.

 

[concernedmom]

We have an HSA. It's actually better coverage for our family than the PPO we had previously (same network). But, then, I'm employed through my family's business (small business).
<hr>
You really have to look at the coverage for both. I'd suggest comparing all of the following: (1) networks, (2) deductibles, (3) covered services, including drugs, (4) max out of pocket, (5) lifetime benefits, (6) coinsurance after the deductible, (7) your premium for the insurance.
<hr>
Also, for the HSA, find out if the company puts any money in for you. I designed our HSA. It covers 100% of preventive services, regardless of whether you've met the deductible. It has an extensive network. Once you've met the deductible, it pays 100% of all other covered services. In our case, the deductible is $4,000 for a family; however, our company puts in the first $2,000; therefore, if you use the network, the max out of pocket for a family is $2,000/yr ($4,000 deductible less $2,000 company puts in.) The employee may then put the next $2,000 in through payroll deductions. This $2,000 goes in pre-tax like an FSA; therefore, for the average person, that $2,000 actually costs around $1,500. Under our old PPO, the max out of pocket with copays and everything was around $5,000/yr. That's a HUGE savings for our family ($5,000 - $1,500 = $3,500 savings.)
<hr>
The trickiest part of the HSA is the beginning, before you've built up money in the HSA. I recommended that all of our employees switch to mail order on our old PPO the month before we started the HSA. That way, they had a 3 month supply of all meds and were able to build up their HSAs before they had to buy more RXs.

HTH.