Posted by BP/WV on 12/3/05 1:48pm
Msg #80145

Health Insurance

I am in need of purchasing health insurance for myself. Does anyone carry their own health insurance? I am looking for an inexpensive rate. Any advise would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Betty

Reply by SarahBeth_CA on 12/3/05 2:39pm
Msg #80150

From what I understand Kaiser has an affordable plan. If you have Kaiser there you should look into it.

Reply by TitleGalCA on 12/3/05 2:41pm
Msg #80151

Five years ago, when I was self-employed, I had a policy with Blue Cross. I think it was about $200 a month and had really good coverage. I just called an 800 number to get the policy set up, it was easy.

Reply by Roger_OH on 12/3/05 4:34pm
Msg #80161

If you have a local chamber of commerce in your area, they often offer a group plan for their members, who are mostly small business owners. It's a good thing to join anyway just for the networking and marketing exposure.

Reply by Nancy/CA on 12/3/05 4:55pm
Msg #80162

Thanks Roger and all for your information. I think it is worth mentioning that HMO's, like Kaiser, generally take those who have no to little medical problems--the young and healthy. Anyone around or over 50 generally has something in their background that Kaiser will then deny coverage because of it. It becomes frustrating looking for a health insurance for those of us who are a tad older. I am currently Cobra'd in for another year from my previous employer; however, I am very concerned about health insurance for me beyond that point. So, I take it that there is no company per say that notaries can find health insurance under. So, I am off to explore my Chamber of Commerce.

Nancy

Reply by JanetK_CA on 12/3/05 7:17pm
Msg #80168

Good point. And non-HMO plans for private insurance might cover someone, but include exclusions for "pre-existing conditions", so the rate is not nearly as good as it looks. The slightest thing in your past could give them an excuse to exclude those things you might most want coverage for - UNLESS you have had continuous coverage. This is a California thing, I think, so I don't know about other states. Health insurance for me is the biggest down side to being self-employed - and a close second to my mortgage, as far as expenses go! :>(

Reply by celeste/ca on 12/3/05 8:05pm
Msg #80170

Try ehealthinsurance.com. It brings up a bunch of quotes for your needs. You enter yourself and other dependents, and it brings up a slew of plans.

Reply by Nancy/CA on 12/3/05 8:50pm
Msg #80173

Celeste,

eHealthInsurance.com is a wonderful site! Their feature allowing you to compare one insurance with the other is a great tool. Thank you for that share.

Nancy

Reply by NM_CO on 12/4/05 10:54am
Msg #80201

I signed up on ehealth too about a year ago now. I pay 125 per month and there's a 1500.00 deductible per year but after that I pay 0. It also covers prescriptions. It's PPO United Health Care/Golden Rule.

Kaiser has a better plan for individuals but they're really strict on pre-existing conditions. I had back surgery last December and recently applied to Kaiser because it was cheaper and got denied.

Reply by Anonymous on 12/4/05 1:20pm
Msg #80231

thank you

Thank you so much for www.ehealthinsurance.com great site.

Reply by CaliNotary on 12/4/05 2:08pm
Msg #80241

check out www.healthcareshopper.com. They should have a whole bunch of plans in the full spectrum of price ranges.

Reply by BP/WV on 12/4/05 4:27pm
Msg #80255

Cali -
I found some excellent information on www.healthcareshopper.com for Assurant Health. It offers some good programs that are not expensive.
Thanks.

Reply by newlysmomva on 12/5/05 8:19am
Msg #80320

Re: Health Insurance-HSA Accounts

If you have health insurance with a $1000.00 deductible (Check that figure-might have changed to $1500.00) you can deposit that amount in a Health Savings Account and deduct from taxes. You can deposit that amount in the account every year and use it anytime for any medical expenses without paying a penalty. I am presently looking for a plan to use this because I have Anthem Blue Cross that is costing me $550.00 a month just for me. They won't let me change plans but as soon as I find someone else I'm going to do the HSA.