Medical Insurance Questions

[He Man]

Its kind of a hot topic on the web so I'm getting so many bogus sites, i dont know whats true and whats not, so what do I do? DML!

My Question: If one wanted to get medical insurance, where would be the first place to start looking and what exactly is a good deal/price?
Ive never had medical coverage through out my whole life. I've always either paid up front, or paid it off monthly if it was something like stitches or ER stuff, or just rubbed Robitussin on it and hoped it went away.

But i find myself in a position where I need it now. I just dont know where to look, or what to look  for.  My school has a plan designed for students that costs $2000 a year  . I've heard some people get health insurance through their auto insurance? is this some kind of joint program like allstate has with home and auto?

If anyone has any info, could you please direct me to the right location or PM?

thanks to anyone who can help!

[herm]

2000 a year is not bad at all IMO...

[darkduc7]

not sure what your current job situation is right now, since you said you're in school, but your employer would be the first place to look. also, see if your state has any programs you can enroll into. after that, things get much more exspensive. I've heard good things about assurant...maybe, but i'm not sure on their prices. i dont know of any auto insur. companies that do health as well, unless they just contract it out, or already own a heath insurer. you're lucky to have not found the need for coverage in the past!! here is a link to assurant... www.AssurantHealth.com

[darkduc7]

i pay around a grand a year through my employer for a good blue cross blue shield plan

[He Man]

http://www.ghi.com/default.aspx?page=350 thats the coverage through my school. I got a letter from school saying it would cost around $1800 (if i qualify) if i do it through the school. Their site lists $2700. I usually dont qualify for much, if anything at all though.

What I'm really trying to get coverage for is sleep therapy, so i guess that would fall under mental health?

I dont work, im stuck at school full time at the most oddest hours, if i could get a job that provided heath care, i'm at the point where id be willing to drop a class just to work so i can get covered. 

I think ive only spent less than $6,000 in my entire life on health care. Bulk majority of that was for stitches though! LOL

edit: darkduc, assurant does not provide coverage in NY.  see the luck i have? lol

[darkduc7]

to be honest, if you really need the coverage, (i would always want it personally), it may be worth dropping a class, to get a job that would help you get insurance. however,  there is usually a certain number of hours a wk you have to work at the given job  to qualify for company benefits. even then, part time employees may have to pay a higher premium, which may cancel out the savings you'd be trying to get. unfortunately, its hard to find out all this benefit info until you apply to places. try asking your school what company provides the health insurance they offer, and what kind of plan it is. no matter what you decide to do, make sure it has provisions to cover your needs (sleep therapy) cost efficiently, without ultra high co-pays or deductibles.

[darkduc7]

edit: darkduc, assurant does not provide coverage in NY.  see the luck i have? lol



oh. damn. i dont think they do vermont either, where im from. haha i just heard good things from a friend on the other coast. 

[gojira]

I've gotten my insurance through eHealthInsurance.com. One-stop for shopping among different insurance companies.

Sleep therapy is covered under regular health insurance. However not all policies will cover it, so look closely at the fine print.

Good luck.

[He Man]

will check that site right after i post this.

I went hmm,, state sponsored health insurance?? sounds like a good idea!

www.google.com.....ny state health insurace.... family health plus!

wow sounds great.


FAQ

Generally, college students will not be eligible for Family Health Plus.

edit:ehealthinsurance.....all the ones that provide Prescription coverage are all $600 a month+.

WTF?  

i guess its time to whip out the credit card to get med insurance. :/

[darkduc7]

i think health insurance companies assume every college student has the fortune of having parents with insurance that covers them until graduation.

[He Man]

why would they think that? Health coverage is a current issue in the US. Not many people can afford it. I have $ to pay for it, but thats the money i was  gonna use for general COL, until next summer when i can work again. its a vicious cycle!

[darkduc7]

he man, im off to catch some zzzzs. no sleep therapy needed for me ....(haha in no way was that meant to be insulting, thought of that one as i typed, sorry if it was below the belt, i had to). shoot me a pm if you'd like with further questions, as i've dealt with quite a bit on this issue in the past. see ya.

[He Man]

he man, im off to catch some zzzzs. no sleep therapy needed for me ....(haha in no way was that meant to be insulting, thought of that one as i typed, sorry if it was below the belt, i had to). shoot me a pm if you'd like with further questions, as i've dealt with quite a bit on this issue in the past. see ya.

hahaha no worries. good one. 

[Embyr]

If you have a health center on campus, then by all means, get the student health plan!!!  They are usually through a larger carrier (I have a good student health plan from Aetna, so I can go outside of the Student Health Center & see specialists if I want to) but keep prices really low for routine check-ups/vaccinations/tests that can be done on campus. Plus, if your campus has a pharmacy in the health dept., you might be able to get some really good deals on meds. When I'm sick or having whatever medical issue, I can usually get the medication I need for under 20 bucks at my campus health center...    I'd look into the plan through your school & find out to what it entitles you, as well as your options for going to other providers in your area. *(See if it has a low-cost dental plan to add.)

Good luck!

[r_ciao]

It used to be that full time students under 23? were covered under their parents health policy.  I'd check there first.  Next consider a plan like Blue Cross/Blue Shield that has a high deductible (~$1000).  As with all insurances, a higher deductible equates to a lower insurance premium (payment).  For younger, healthy people, the main concern is usually catastophic injuries or illnesses.  Hope that helps.