Is anyone SICK about health insurance costs?

Question

I had great health insurance, but was fired from my job because I had a baby. My choices were: COBRA or another policy.

I plan on having another baby next year. There is NO insurance that will cover pregnancy, which was a $40,000 procedure the last time I gave birth. YES, they say they cover pregnancy, but there is a big BUT: They don't cover it within the first 2 years of your subscription.

I took the cobra. It is fantastic, and covers my pregnancy...BUT BUT BUT.....it costs $400 per month.

This is absolutely horrendous. It should be illegal to refuse to cover a woman's pregnancy, especially if she is paying for her insurance.

Of course, all these super-saver insurance deals have come up, but it doesn't save anything. There are $4,000 deductibles for families. How does that save money, when they already have to pay a monthly premium? My health insurance (for me alone...not my husband or daughter) is almost HALF my income.

Something is seriously wrong.

I have BCBS, and have been checking BCBS rates for non-cobra coverage, and the ones that DO cover pregnancy have a 2 year waiting period....no exceptions.

Wow...we have a good discussion here!

Glad I asked the question. :)

Answer 1

What's seriously wrong is this. There are too many people who are uninsured, on medicaid or sue if one of their family members died of a self-induced terminal illness. Insurance companies are there to make money, period. And we, the self-sufficient, law abiding working class are stuck with the bills and lawsuits. Not only do you and I have to pay exorbitant insurance premiums, but so too do the medical providers to protect themselves against malpractice claims. Yet, proposed legislation to limit the amount of money awarded by a jury in those cases was shot down. Insurance companies fought back by controlling their costs, dictating which doctors to use, not paying for pre-existing conditions, etc. Basically you play by their rules now or you don't play. And yes, you definitely pay to play.

The thing that never made sense to me is that most insurance companies won't pay for birth control at all. Clearly, it is more cost-effective for them to pay for pills than pregnancy and child birth. Also, I think that if they would foot the bill for annual preventative care including mammograms, prostate screening, glucose monitoring, cardiac tests, etc. they'd save themselves millions in the long run. Early detection not only saves lives, but the costly treatments could be avoided. I guess that makes too much sense. Yes, you are right. Something is seriously wrong.

Answer 2

DAANG what state are you in? In California, your prior health coverage applied toward your waiting period on your new health plan. So 2 years prior coverage would wave the 2 year waiting period.

Also, it should NOT be illegal to cover pregnancy, if it were, all the insurance companies would go out of business. By not covering it, they have a lower risk, and can keep premiums down. People have a tendancy to wait untill something happens before they get health insurance, and that is not what its inteded for, its like "Hey can I pay you 100$ a month, in exchange for you paying my 40K hospital bill that Im planning on having next year?"

Also, with a 4000$ deductible, you would be paying 4000$ less than your COBRA plan on the premiums (over a year or two). (Actuary's make sure that all plans are equal no matter what...so think MATH not heart)

When shopping for a plan, look only at the "out of pocket maximum" because with another baby you are sure to hit the max. If you only focus on the "oop" max then you will be a smart shopper, and not be tricked with co-payments like most people.

Also, check out your local "Blues" (Like Blue Cross/Blue Shield) and get an HSA with a low OOP max, if they have one with maternity, mathematically they kick ***.

Answer 3

Typically health insurance companies are so strict about covering pregnancies because nowadays, that's an "elective procedure"

Health insurance is just that- insurance. In case something goes wrong. You said you're planning to have another baby next year- what you're looking for isn't insurance, it's a payment plan. Just wait the two years to have a kid and you won't have this problem.

Answer 4

Yes I agree there is something is wrong.Not only do we pay high premiums but the deductible alone will break you.Then you get a "break on prescriptions",What a joke.I know drugs are expensive,but why?I take 9 pills a day and my pharmacy bill is ridiculous.I know,it would be worse without it.My doctor charges an arm and a leg every time I go.Then he wants to do tests,that's even more.I just don't understand why the U.S. can't do like Canada and have free health coverage for everyone,just higher taxes.Oh yes I do, then people would ***** about that.

Answer 5

How about Nearly $ 750/month... Well I have High blood pressure and cholesterol issues...

Not so many years ago I would go to the Doctor in his Clinic and the visit would be like $ 15-20 Something. And He was still one of the richest men in town. Today I see the Bill and a little short visit might run $ 150 or my dad went to see his heart doctor for like 10 minutes $ 600

I don't blame the doctors its all the middle men. Insurance companies and all the extra staff the clinics and hospitals have to have just to see that he can get paid a decent wage...

Keep on doing... Merry Christmas to you and your family!!!!

Answer 6

I might suggest you to visit this website where onel can get rates from different companies: http://COVERAGEFINDER.NET/index.html?src=5YAxnu68umH27deW1

RE :Is anyone SICK about health insurance costs?
I had great health insurance, but was fired from my job because I had a baby. My choices were: COBRA or another policy.

I plan on having another baby next year. There is NO insurance that will cover pregnancy, which was a $40,000 procedure the last time I gave birth. YES, they say they cover pregnancy, but there is a big BUT: They don't cover it within the first 2 years of your subscription.

I took the cobra. It is fantastic, and covers my pregnancy...BUT BUT BUT.....it costs $400 per month.

This is absolutely horrendous. It should be illegal to refuse to cover a woman's pregnancy, especially if she is paying for her insurance.

Of course, all these super-saver insurance deals have come up, but it doesn't save anything. There are $4,000 deductibles for families. How does that save money, when they already have to pay a monthly premium? My health insurance (for me alone...not my husband or daughter) is almost HALF my income.

Something is seriously wrong.
Update: I have BCBS, and have been checking BCBS rates for non-cobra coverage, and the ones that DO cover pregnancy have a 2 year waiting period....no exceptions.
Update 2: Wow...we have a good discussion here!

Glad I asked the question. :)
Follow 9 answers

Answer 7

yep, it's hard to get someone to sign on to paying a $40,000 bill for you.

Insurance companies have to make a profit, or they go out of business. They need to pay their employees, pay their stockholders, pay their rent, pay THEIR insurance bills . . . AND pay your claims.

So in order to keep EVERYONE from paying $1,000 a month for insurance, they limit the benefits to Unexpected costs.

Answer 8

Yep i no what your saying my son's insurance is $117 a WEEK and now its suppose to go up!! and thats just for my 3 month year old son not including me or his dad!! its way to expensive for me

Answer 9

yes, they really abuse