DeAnne
Mike CrowlHealth Insurance: What is affordable?
October 21st 2008 15:51
I'd like to hear from others out there about how much they pay for health insurance. What do you think would be considered "affordable?"
This is the situation my family is in: My husband is currently an independent contractor - meaning he works, but not technically for an employer - hence, no insurance. We are currently on a COBRA plan through his previous employer, but our 18 month continuation of coverage ends in just a few months. When I was working as a teacher we had insurance available. (The Texas teacher plans are pretty good.) If I was still working, we'd pay, for our family of six, a little under $900 per month - the rest being contributed by the school district and state. Through my husband's previous employers, we paid a little more, but under $1000. With the COBRA, there is no employer contribution, and we are paying about $1300 per month. I think that is high, but we are able to afford it. I'm sure that many families would NOT be able to afford $1300 per month for health insurance. Our predicament, we are not eligible for private pay insurance because we have both been diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes. I've been trying to find a plan that is guaranteed, as the employer provided plans are, but can't -- other than the state high risk pool.
Anyone out there know about high risk pools? They are NOT affordable. They cost DOUBLE the standard rates. Plus, they don't lump all the kids into "family" - each one is charged a separate rate. I calculated what it will cost us to participate in the Texas high risk pool which, by the way, is managed by the same big insurance company as our current and previous plans. We'll save a little because our oldest son now has insurance through his employer, so we're just a family of five now. $3000 per month. That's just for the insurance premiums. There's still co-pays, deductibles, and co-insurance amounts to pay, as well as medical supplies not covered by insurance. Our average monthly health-care expenses will be about $3300! (And, because it's not employer provided, none of it is pre-tax - it's all taxable income!!!)
Now, my husband makes pretty good money. We can probably swing it, but it won't be easy. But what about someone who doesn't make a lot of money? What about someone with a $30,000 - $40,000 yearly income? How would that family afford $3300 per month for health-care? (That's $39,600 yearly for health care!)
I'm starting to think we might have to take our chances without any insurance at all, but I hate to think what would happen if anyone got really sick, or injured. What would we do then?
So, my question to everyone out there is, what do you think is affordable? What do you think is fair?
This is the situation my family is in: My husband is currently an independent contractor - meaning he works, but not technically for an employer - hence, no insurance. We are currently on a COBRA plan through his previous employer, but our 18 month continuation of coverage ends in just a few months. When I was working as a teacher we had insurance available. (The Texas teacher plans are pretty good.) If I was still working, we'd pay, for our family of six, a little under $900 per month - the rest being contributed by the school district and state. Through my husband's previous employers, we paid a little more, but under $1000. With the COBRA, there is no employer contribution, and we are paying about $1300 per month. I think that is high, but we are able to afford it. I'm sure that many families would NOT be able to afford $1300 per month for health insurance. Our predicament, we are not eligible for private pay insurance because we have both been diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes. I've been trying to find a plan that is guaranteed, as the employer provided plans are, but can't -- other than the state high risk pool.
Anyone out there know about high risk pools? They are NOT affordable. They cost DOUBLE the standard rates. Plus, they don't lump all the kids into "family" - each one is charged a separate rate. I calculated what it will cost us to participate in the Texas high risk pool which, by the way, is managed by the same big insurance company as our current and previous plans. We'll save a little because our oldest son now has insurance through his employer, so we're just a family of five now. $3000 per month. That's just for the insurance premiums. There's still co-pays, deductibles, and co-insurance amounts to pay, as well as medical supplies not covered by insurance. Our average monthly health-care expenses will be about $3300! (And, because it's not employer provided, none of it is pre-tax - it's all taxable income!!!)
Now, my husband makes pretty good money. We can probably swing it, but it won't be easy. But what about someone who doesn't make a lot of money? What about someone with a $30,000 - $40,000 yearly income? How would that family afford $3300 per month for health-care? (That's $39,600 yearly for health care!)
I'm starting to think we might have to take our chances without any insurance at all, but I hate to think what would happen if anyone got really sick, or injured. What would we do then?
So, my question to everyone out there is, what do you think is affordable? What do you think is fair?
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Comment by signals
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If you say that you have no problem affording the insurance, then that should be fair in your situation. That's just my opinion. I think 'fair' should be based on income and affordability.
Comment by DeAnne
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The median family income in the US is only about $60,000 per year. There's no way someone making that (or less) - with the same medical conditions as my husband and me - could afford to pay for the high risk insurance. So, the alternative is go without insurance, and take the risk of getting sicker or go to the ER for basic health care and drive the costs up even more for everyone else.
I agree it should be based on income and affordability - that's why I support a universal health care plan. Everyone pays based on what they can afford, and everyone is covered equally.