Health insurance

Hi all,

I know there're some of you here are between jobs like me.  I'm searching for a better (more economical) health insurance coverage for my wife and I.  Currently we're paying $876.85/month (Kaiser HMO + Delta Dental) which is more than half of my monthly unemployment benefit and it'll go up to over $900/mo beginning of next year!  If you know or currently enroll with a better plan/organization I would appreciate your inputs.

Thank you,

Sonny

Sonny, sounds like you're currently on COBRA. It's very expensive because you retain all the benefits you had but are now paying the entire premium (of which your employer used to pay a significant portion).

If you don't mind Kaiser, look into other plans with them. You'll usually get a higher co-pay & maybe fewer services but a lower premium than what you're paying now. Look into other HMOs if you don't want Kaiser or just to compare. Unfortunately, there's a gazillion different plans out there to sort through.

I look forward to seeing other people's input on this as well. And thanks for the reminder, I need to find a new plan by Tue. If I find something that looks like it might work for you, I'll let you know.

I was in a simillar situation last year after my wife was laid off ( Im self employed).   After looking at a few options I decided on a plan through blue shield.   The price was half what kaiser was and the plan pretty good.   Our rep was great as well.  I think someone in NCKA works for blue shield.. one of the admins or mods?   We didn't get their top plan, but for three of us it was below $450 a month for med.  

Dental is kind of a different story when you get the coverage on your own.   The premium wasn't so much the problem as the coverage.    The first year of your coverage, most plans pay almost nothing for anything other than cleanings.   The second year they pay a bit more and then by the third year of coverage its more or less like most group plans.    We just didnt get dental for that year since we would have been paying 1400 or so in premium and if we had any thing like fillings or crown type things in the first year, we would be responsible for the full cost anyway.   You might be able to find something better but definately check into what they cover for the first couple years.

You may also want to check into an HSA with a major med plan..  quite a few of them out there and for many people they work very well.

yes, I'm currently under COBRA!  Thanks for the inputs guys.