topic Re: Does Everyone Have Insurance in Community Chat

Does Everyone Have Insurance

Munchkincat — Sat, 13 Jun 2020 21:45:22 GMT

I recently divorced, sold my 1/2 of my house to my hubby, quit my job and moved to another city. I was looking for a job and along cane the virus and it’s a lot harder to find a job. I’ve always had insurance through my hubby’s work but needless to say I don’t have that anymore. I had insurance through the Marketplace for awhile but since I’m not working my tax credit was cancelled. If I wanted to keep what I had it would be $700 a month with an $8000 deductible. I worry about something happening and I have no insurance. Does anyone else not have insurance?

Re: Does Everyone Have Insurance

qvcfreak — Sat, 13 Jun 2020 21:54:17 GMT

I’ve been blessed to have my insurance paid through work. I pay for my son’s but he’ll be 26 next year and I won’t be able to carry him anymore. But we found Ambetter insurance for my brother and will have my son look into it as well. Google and see if it’s offered in your State. It’s very reasonable.

Re: Does Everyone Have Insurance

alicedee — Sat, 13 Jun 2020 22:05:20 GMT

I got my insurance through the Affordable Health Care Act after my divorce, and used it until I was Medicare age. Because my income was so low I had

a very minimal monthly charge, but the plan I chose had a high deductible.

I am in good health, and the plan I chose worked for me. If I had more health issues and took a lot of meds, I would have needed a more expensive plan. There are so many to choose from at different price points.

Re: Does Everyone Have Insurance

kivah — Sat, 13 Jun 2020 22:14:18 GMT

I suggest u call an insurance agent and see what's available. Are u able to get Kaiser? I believe their rates are low.

Re: Does Everyone Have Insurance

Laura14 — Sat, 13 Jun 2020 22:17:57 GMT

These days even if you have insurance, you have no insurance past the once a year physical.

I broke my wrist a few years ago. I paid for every bit of my treatment out of pocket because of the outrageous deductibles. When they asked for my insurance card, I told them it was just a souvenir. It pays for nothing and it didn't. By the time I was done, I was out $2500 for my treatment and another $2500 for insurance that covered nothing.

My family has actually belonged to a christian co-op if you are uneasy about having nothing. Basically, you pay into the group and then submit any bills to them as you have them. They love it since it's all they can get being small business owners and have been very pleased.

I will tell you based on their experience, if you are a cash customer like that, you'll pay a lot less than the insured. My BIL has negotiated $20,000 hospital bills to $5000 if they would accept his offer that day. They do every single time.

Re: Does Everyone Have Insurance

suzyQ3 — Sat, 13 Jun 2020 22:58:10 GMT

I second looking into Kaiser. We have had it for years through my husband work for the city of Los Angeles and now through Medicare. We have had excellent, complete health care. I have had four foot surgeries, and or co-payment was $50.

But it depends, of course, on the plan you choose.

Re: Does Everyone Have Insurance

Mindy D — Sat, 13 Jun 2020 23:12:44 GMT

@Munchkincat wrote:
I recently divorced, sold my 1/2 of my house to my hubby, quit my job and moved to another city. I was looking for a job and along cane the virus and it’s a lot harder to find a job. I’ve always had insurance through my hubby’s work but needless to say I don’t have that anymore. I had insurance through the Marketplace for awhile but since I’m not working my tax credit was cancelled. If I wanted to keep what I had it would be $700 a month with an $8000 deductible. I worry about something happening and I have no insurance. Does anyone else not have insurance?

I was in your shoes for eleven years. Marketplace prices where I live are up well over a thousand a month with high deductibles and annual out of pockets. I just started getting Medicare. There are many fields where the persons working have to get their own insurance.

Re: Does Everyone Have Insurance

Linmo — Sat, 13 Jun 2020 23:33:28 GMT

@Munchkincat You should be able to purchase COBRA insurance through your ex-husband's insurer for up to 36 months after your divorce. I'm not sure what the cost would be compared to the Marketplace, but you should check it out.

Re: Does Everyone Have Insurance

Mz iMac — Sat, 13 Jun 2020 23:49:18 GMT

@MunchkincatYou need to research ** your state** to determine which health insurance is available for folks in your situation.

On its website there should be a section called Health & Wellness and/or Community Wellness or something similar worded.

Good luck!

Re: Does Everyone Have Insurance

AuntG — Sat, 13 Jun 2020 23:54:47 GMT

Call his HR department to see if COBRA is an option. Even if expensive, you'll have peace of mind while looking into other options.

dRe: Does Everyone Have Insurance

patbz — Sun, 14 Jun 2020 14:54:27 GMT

When I was young I was "under employed in Sunny San Diego" and working as a bank teller, I had no insurance for two years (even when you are 31 and healthy this is terrifying). My son, 31, is at Subway as an assistant manager and currently has no insurance (how can he afford it on less than 30 hrs a week? The only reason he has as semblance of life is that he lives with us and drives one of our cars). Our country is

massively under insured and hrly workers get no sick leave or annual leave (so many people hurting!

Re: Does Everyone Have Insurance

Nuttmeg — Sun, 14 Jun 2020 00:44:59 GMT

I would check the insurance website in your state.

In some states people without insurance were given a window of time to select coverage.

COBRA rates will be much higher than market place ones.

Benefitcheckup.org is a place to find programs you may qualify.

Re: Does Everyone Have Insurance

kitcat51 — Sun, 14 Jun 2020 00:54:58 GMT

I went without health insurance for several years, I simply couldn't afford it. I explained my situation to my Dr & she referred me to a cash only clinic, the Dr I had there was excellent & the lab work was at cost. I did worry about something happening but I didn't have any other choice until I qualified for Medicare. I wish you all the best @Munchkincat.

Re: Does Everyone Have Insurance

Mom2Dogs — Sun, 14 Jun 2020 00:59:06 GMT

@Laura14 I also have a Christian Care insurance....MediShare...it was great for me. For my age the monthly 'share' was under $400.00 month.

It did not cover any well visits or any pre existing conditions, but when I went to the doctor I paid cash and got a discount.

Since DH and I are self employed (he is on Medicare) my insurnace soared to $1000.00/month 3 years ago, yikes!! So glad I found an alternative, this is my last month of coverage thru Medishare, I have a birthday coming up and will be on Medicare.

Re: Does Everyone Have Insurance

SunSprite — Sun, 14 Jun 2020 01:31:51 GMT

Please check your local area hospital organizations to make sure they recognize Medishare (and others like them) as an insurance.

It sounds like some posters here have had good luck with them, and I'm happy for them.

I do know though in our area the hospitals and their associated physicians do not accept Medishare; meaning they will not file any claims for you and they will not negotiate settlement of your bill with Medishare. You're registered as a self pay patient. You would however qualify for an uninsured discount, but you would get that anyway without Medishare or any insurance for that matter.

Also, if income is lower please ask about a hospital's financial assistance policy. Some call them charity programs, or indigent programs. It's usually based on household size and household income and follows the federal poverty level scale to varying degrees. Most discounts are good for a year, once you have gone through the application process. With some organizations that discount also applies to their physician network and can reduce what you have to pay out of pocket at your appointments.

Every state is different though.

Re: Does Everyone Have Insurance

ahoymate — Sun, 14 Jun 2020 01:36:40 GMT

MD's will take cash payment. The charge is less than what they charge your insurance. Ask your MD's office what the cash discount is.

Re: Does Everyone Have Insurance

Snowpuppy — Sun, 14 Jun 2020 02:06:35 GMT

Yep, been there! I was unemployed during the downturn in '08. I paid my COBRA until it was no longer affordable.

I had asked around and found a local clinic that saw only sick people with very treatable illnesses twice per month by appt. I went for bronchitis. Only asked for a $5 donation. Antibiotics were free. After that, I finally found a dr who saw people with no insurance for a cash discount.

DS is out of work right now and out of insurance. He's healthy but my PCP will offer Teledoc to him at a discount.

Re: Does Everyone Have Insurance

Cats3000 — Sun, 14 Jun 2020 10:50:41 GMT

Maybe, continuing insurance should have been something worked out by your divorce attorney. Maybe, spousal support should have been something worked out by your divorce attorney. Maybe, quitting your job was not the best choice you could have made. You should have sought advice from a qualified counselor before you jumped ship.

If you don't have a job and don't have an income, you may have to apply for Medicaid.

Re: Does Everyone Have Insurance

dex — Sun, 14 Jun 2020 13:18:37 GMT

@Munchkincat @I don't have any insurance advice.I ended paying a thousand a month until I qualified for Medicare.I think you should check different women's agencies for assistance.

You sure made a lot of changes in your life at once.I admire your bravery and I hope everything works out well for you.

Re: Does Everyone Have Insurance

GrailSeeker — Sun, 14 Jun 2020 14:09:02 GMT

I agree that you should look into your state's Medicaid program. My state also had a program for women without insurance that provided mammograms and gynecological exams

I was one of those who fell "between the cracks" when medical insurance supposedly became mandatory. Small employer who did not offer insurance and made too much to qualify for Medicaid, but not enough to afford a regular policy.

Just qualified for Medicare this year in February. After so many years of not having insurance, I still have not had a chance (due to Covid-19) to even use that. Luckily I have always been healthy, except for a very few times where I just paid cash for a visit and antibiotics.