topic Re: Deciding On A Health Insurance Plan in Community Chat

Deciding On A Health Insurance Plan

Jordan2 — Mon, 04 Nov 2019 20:45:12 GMT

It's that time of year again, deciding on my health insurance plan. I purchase mine from the Nystate of Health marketplace. My current plan has increased by $90. I was looking at some other plans, I was on the phone for over 45 minutes with someone from my current plan ( their aren't many choices for me). I understand copays, but coinsurance, not so much. The deductible and out of pocket expenses are lower for the coinsurance insurance plan ( cheaper than the one I currently have) yet the person I spoke with said coinsurance can cost you more in the long run. I feel like such an idiot when I speak to someone about insurance, it's very confusing to me.

Re: Deciding On A Health Insurance Plan

millieshops — Mon, 04 Nov 2019 20:55:30 GMT

@Jordan2You are not alone. Health insurance is so confusing and so expensive and so necessary! Terrible combination.

Re: Deciding On A Health Insurance Plan

Nuttmeg — Mon, 04 Nov 2019 20:57:50 GMT

@Jordan2

Can you meet in person with a representative to help discuss your insurance options for 2020?

Re: Deciding On A Health Insurance Plan

Carmie — Mon, 04 Nov 2019 20:59:21 GMT

Let me help you understand, if I may

Coinsurance is based on a percentage. If your coverage pays 80%, you pay 20%. The 20% is your coinsurance. This amount can fluctuate depending on the charge. For example, if the charge is $1000 and it is paid at 80%, your coinsurance would be $200.

A copayment is fixed. For example, you might have a $25 copayment for each office visit.

copayments are usually for office visits and emergency room visits.

coinsurance is usually for lab work, x-rays and surgical care.

Re: Deciding On A Health Insurance Plan

SeaMaiden — Mon, 04 Nov 2019 22:07:42 GMT

Husband and I have been using Premera Blue Cross for several years and are happy with the coverage thus far.

we pay about $750 a month for the two of us..

Re: Deciding On A Health Insurance Plan

I am still oxox — Mon, 04 Nov 2019 21:14:43 GMT

My DH works for the Federal govt and we are changing plans from a Cigna plan to an Aenta plan. It is $70 a month less, co pays for specialists for him will go up until May when he retires and medicare will be primary and Aetna will be the secondary. Best thing we do not need a drug plan, it is included in the monthly fee.

Re: Deciding On A Health Insurance Plan

Jordan2 — Mon, 04 Nov 2019 22:32:28 GMT

@Nuttmeg wrote:
@Jordan2
Can you meet in person with a representative to help discuss your insurance options for 2020?

@Nuttmeg not really, I'm busy with my elderly mother (she is 91 and recently fell). I'll probably keep what I have. It's funny, you have insurance, but can't afford to use it, it's kind of for just in case.

Re: Deciding On A Health Insurance Plan

songbird — Mon, 04 Nov 2019 22:45:43 GMT

I grew up on socialized medicine. The system worked great for me and my family. Italy's system is just like the system all over Europe, Canada & elsewhere. The U.S. is the only first world country without any universal health care. My first exposure to private insurance was when I started to work. Cost of medicine and health care will never go down. It will continue to rise and taxpayers will continue to foot the bill for people without insurance. Nothing ever will be done, I'm convinced. It surfaces sometimes. People worry and say that something has to be done. Then it disappears again till the next time. Congress has done nothing. It's like the gun lobby. Nothing will ever be done. The current situation will continue.

Re: Deciding On A Health Insurance Plan

Autumn Shimmers — Mon, 04 Nov 2019 23:18:59 GMT

Our company's health insurance premiums went up. I know they weren't thrilled about it. My sister pays for her own health insurance. There is only one option in our state. No competition. That's it. No choice whatsoever. Once again they raised her rates. She was so upset and feels she can't continue with these payments. She is angry! Her rate a month is comparable to a mortage payment. She rarely goes to the doctors and only if absoiutely necessary. She is going to have to go down to the cheapest plan which means an even more ridiculous higher deductible.

Re: Deciding On A Health Insurance Plan

dex — Mon, 04 Nov 2019 23:34:46 GMT

@songbird wrote:
I grew up on socialized medicine. The system worked great for me and my family. Italy's system is just like the system all over Europe, Canada & elsewhere. The U.S. is the only first world country without any universal health care. My first exposure to private insurance was when I started to work. Cost of medicine and health care will never go down. It will continue to rise and taxpayers will continue to foot the bill for people without insurance. Nothing ever will be done, I'm convinced. It surfaces sometimes. People worry and say that something has to be done. Then it disappears again till the next time. Congress has done nothing. It's like the gun lobby. Nothing will ever be done. The current situation will continue.

I am from Canada too.I find healthcare costs here inUSA outrageous and can understand why many don’t have any.I was paying 1000 a month for basic healthcare before I reached 65.

Re: Deciding On A Health Insurance Plan

ALRATIBA — Mon, 04 Nov 2019 23:45:02 GMT

Usually my employers offered various types of plans and I decided based on where I lived. I had Kaiser for years - they were great and offces nearby.

My criteria .... is location. I don't want to have to travel any distance to doctor or facilty.

Now, I'm on Medicare and have a supplemental plan offered as a retirement benefit by my former employer. It's through United Healthcare. I have no complaints about either Medicare or United Healthcare.

Re: Deciding On A Health Insurance Plan

CJC — Mon, 04 Nov 2019 23:57:23 GMT

@songbird wrote:
I grew up on socialized medicine. The system worked great for me and my family. Italy's system is just like the system all over Europe, Canada & elsewhere. The U.S. is the only first world country without any universal health care. My first exposure to private insurance was when I started to work. Cost of medicine and health care will never go down. It will continue to rise and taxpayers will continue to foot the bill for people without insurance. Nothing ever will be done, I'm convinced. It surfaces sometimes. People worry and say that something has to be done. Then it disappears again till the next time. Congress has done nothing. It's like the gun lobby. Nothing will ever be done. The current situation will continue.

Hillary Clinton tried, but failed, to change health care many years ago. You are correct; nothing will ever change for the better in this country because the politicians all get free medical care for life, and they profit from allowing drug companies and doctors/ hospitals to reap huge profits. Health care in America is broken.

Re: Deciding On A Health Insurance Plan

ann1989 — Tue, 05 Nov 2019 00:14:26 GMT

A friend from Canada told me that it is not uncommon to wait 6 months for a surgical procedure over there due to a shortage of doctors and way too many patients. If your life depends on it, obviously that is very bad.

Re: Deciding On A Health Insurance Plan

dex — Tue, 05 Nov 2019 12:46:41 GMT

@ann1989 wrote:

A friend from Canada told me that it is not uncommon to wait 6 months for a surgical procedure over there due to a shortage of doctors and way too many patients. If your life depends on it, obviously that is very bad.

If you are seriously ill you are taken care of right away.If you want elective surgeries or joint replacements then yes you will wait.

Re: Deciding On A Health Insurance Plan

hckynut — Tue, 05 Nov 2019 14:52:47 GMT

I have been satisfied with mine(as much as is possible) and have not changed it for years. Each year I read through many options and I find none better for my wife and myself.

If I do not choose a different plan, within the same company, I need to do nothing, it automatically keeps our same plan. If there is 1 better for less money, I ain't found it/them.

hckynut