Anyone doesn't get insurance through a job & buys health insurance independently?

Who do you use, how much do you pay?

I am trying to see if there is a better option that the one my DH's contract agency offers which costs $800 for employee and spouse only and it still doesn't cover most of the things 100%...

Re: Anyone doesn't get insurance through a job & buys health insurance independently?

I doubt you are going to find a much better "deal" if you live on LI or in the NYC area in general.

DH is self-employed and we'd basically be taking out a 2nd mortgage with taxes for the amount health insurance costs.

And, FWIW, I basically pay that now pre-tax through my job because they don't cover family health insurance.

Re: Anyone doesn't get insurance through a job & buys health insurance independently?

I am self-employed. I live in NJ and have Horizon Blue Cross Blue Sheild. I pay $800/month for just me and DD.

Re: Anyone doesn't get insurance through a job & buys health insurance independently?

I live in PA so the insurance company and rate will not be the same for you; however Im insured through Aetna PPO; $146 a month (i was rated higher due to prexsting condition of Psoriasis..it would have been $135 a mo.)

I have a $3500 deductible; prescriptions not generic are sold at a discounted rate and I have a $500 pharmacy deductible to meet.

annual exams, physicals, are covered 100%


My Dh's plan through work is $50 a month for HIM; add me on its over $700 a month. Forget about add DS on that..he's covered through CHIPS in PA; DH works for a small company with 30 employees and apparently its the best group insurance they can find.

ETA: check out the freelancers union.org; its free to join and you can get insurance plans through there.

Message edited 3/11/2011 12:06:14 PM.

Re: Anyone doesn't get insurance through a job & buys health insurance independently?

Unfortunately, $800/month for a husband & wife plan doesn't sound too bad (I paid nearly $400/month for an individual plan, and that was a few years ago).

You can check out some of the plans NYS offers and see if you qualify for any of them. Or, you can contact an insurance broker. Sometimes, they will group several people together so they can get a "group" rate, which should be cheaper.

Or, you can look into an HSA, which is basically a high deductible insurance. The premiums are lower (usually less than $300/month), but your deductible is high ($5000 or so). You make tax free contributions into your HSA and then use the $$ in that account to pay for your treatment, which counts towards your deductible.

Message edited 3/11/2011 12:19:48 PM.

Re: Anyone doesn't get insurance through a job & buys health insurance independently?

I looked into before DH was at his current job and for a family plan everyone I called was around $1800-$2200 per month. CRAZY, right?

Re: Anyone doesn't get insurance through a job & buys health insurance independently?

I remember looking for my mom since my dad retired and I got rates of $1200+ just for her. Crazy numbers here in NY.

Re: Anyone doesn't get insurance through a job & buys health insurance independently?

My mom is self-employed and pays $480 per month for the Oxford liberty plan ( just for herself)

Re: Anyone doesn't get insurance through a job & buys health insurance independently?

I'm sorry to bring this up, but this post is a great argument for universal health care like every other first world and even some second world countries.

The people of the US (also known as the government) could do a much better job than these private companies only interested in profits.

I'll get off my now

Re: Anyone doesn't get insurance through a job & buys health insurance independently?

Dh is self-employed. Up until recently we were paying a small business rate of $1750 for him, his partner and myself (all listed as employees) under Empire.

Now we have the Empire Traditional Hospital Plus plan. It is $430/month for me, DH and DS. It only covers well visits and if we were to go to the hospital (for an emergency or scheduled procedure it is completely covered). If we get sick and need to go to the doctor we pay out of pocket. Its not ideal but it was our only affordable option.

Re: Anyone doesn't get insurance through a job & buys health insurance independently?

Posted by kristin597

Dh is self-employed. Up until recently we were paying a small business rate of $1750 for him, his partner and myself (all listed as employees) under Empire.

Now we have the Empire Traditional Hospital Plus plan. It is $430/month for me, DH and DS. It only covers well visits and if we were to go to the hospital (for an emergency or scheduled procedure it is completely covered). If we get sick and need to go to the doctor we pay out of pocket. Its not ideal but it was our only affordable option.