ErikPeter ([info]voxen) wrote,
2006-08-21 13:52:00
I'm one of the 40 million Americans who don't have health insurance, which is something I'd like to change.
When I went to the Blue Cross/Blue Shield LA site, I was embarassed to realize I have no idea what the hell I'm doing when it comes to signing up for it. While it appeared to be informative and helpful, the site was a myriad of Flash and words, with no explanation offered for certain things. Like a good cryptologist i'm deciphering the meanings of phrases like "Traditional: 80/20%, 70/30% or 50/50%, In-Network PPO: 20% or $20 copayment with $500 deductible or less". One of the PDF brochures has a mail-in form to accompany a check for first payment... But doesn't actually say what the premiums are.

Does anyone have advice on a cheap plan (and how to actually, y'know, set it up) with catastrophic coverage that might let me get a checkup without raping me financially? (Well, and literally, that would be bad too.)

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  • 8 comments

[info]jamesbean

August 21 2006, 19:44:22 UTC 5 years ago

my best suggestion is to call in and talk to someone. They will tell you how much it would cost after they find out if they'd be willing to cover you or not. Then you can tell them whether or not you'd agree to those terms. I'd personally suggest a PPO versus an HMO. But that's me.

[info]overbo

August 21 2006, 21:04:23 UTC 5 years ago

Back when I was in MN I had to get my own health insurance for a while and I ended up going with blue cross. They were the cheapest for me at the time and offered some flexibility in choosing my deductable vs my premium.

If you're young and healthy and money is an issue I'd vote against a PPO. Also, I think the annual physical is completely overrated.

[info]voxen

August 21 2006, 23:57:53 UTC 5 years ago

I don't need an annual physical, I was more thinking, "I haven't had one in like five years", i'd like to.

[info]bluestarfish

August 21 2006, 21:45:45 UTC 5 years ago

that stuff is so damned confusing. i have no clue what all that stuff means.

Anonymous

August 21 2006, 22:00:15 UTC 5 years ago

Find a good broker

I'd recommend taking a small fraction of that time and finding a broker to find a good plan for you. Having a broker won't cost you anymore than going directly through the insurance company for whatever plan you get. I've written more detail here... http://healthinsurance-colorado.blogspot.com/
Good luck.

[info]queen_elvis

August 22 2006, 01:26:08 UTC 5 years ago

I just made myself sit down and read it all until I understood it, motivated by horrifying thoughts about what might happen if I got catastrophically sick without insurance. The plan I use (a PPO) isn't available in your state, alas. And that website has way too much Flash.

My BF's parents work in insurance, so I can probably find you a broker.

[info]draconline

August 22 2006, 16:18:49 UTC 5 years ago

I am only posting to commiserate, as I was in insurance limbo a while ago, and also found myself conned into paying for insurance through the temp agency I was working for. Co-pays were "100%". *commiserate commiserate*

[info]katkats

August 31 2006, 16:03:38 UTC 5 years ago

Hey EP, when Tom was not officially working he got his health insurance online too, it took a while to figure it all out, you could ask him where he got it from, I think it was Blue Cross also. Pretty much they are all out to screw you (I have had terrible experience with health insurance), but look around for something that covers many conditions, including pre-existing condition, becuase they always try to make anything new be a pre-exisitng condition anyways.

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