Do you buy your health insurance or do you get it from your job?

Question

If you get it from your job, what would you do if you were suddenly dropped?

Answer 1

Own my own business and buy it. Also provide it to the employees.

Answer 2

Both - the health plan at work has degraded over the last 10 years to very high deductible with a company paid benefit for the first half of the deductible and I still pay half of the policy. I have to use a Tax free Reimbursable Benefit to cover the gap - the kind that can't be refunded if it isn't used.

Without it, I would do what I do now, skip health care for myself to keep benefits/money available for family member emergencies. At the end of the year - I can get check ups if there is money left.

And I would look for a job with some kind of health care, just to get the negotiated costs, if nothing else. The no-insurance billed costs are double or triple what the costs are to uninsured people.

Answer 3

If you are unable to get health insurance coverage from your employer, it makes sense to get your own individual policy, so you don’t get stuck with huge medical bills in the event of an unforseen emergency. There’s a new company offering low cost individual health plans in Texas for young, reasonably healthy people. You buy into a plan at a super low cost with fixed benefits that will cover the typical activities and preventative care of a healthy person. Then, if something catastrophic happens, you have the option to get additional levels of coverage, even AFTER the event. A healthy 25-year-old male (and under) would pay under $100 a month for basic coverage. Check them out at http://www.precedent.com - Even if you’re not in Texas, my understanding is that they’ll be offering plans in additional states soon. I hope you find what you need!

Answer 4

I used to get it a work but I dropped because it was more expensive than a private policy (if you are younger and don't have a chronic illness). It still costs me $110 a month though. My friend who is over 50 would have to pay $500 a month for the same policy it's just insane. I keep it because I got laid off once and got sick. My doctor visit and drugs cost me over $500. If I lost my coverage, I just have to do without. I've known people with chronic illnesses who have died because they lost their coverage.

Answer 5

My husband and I own our own business so we have to buy our own. It's close to $1,000 a month and not that great.