Healthcare questions

dbryson

So I guess I've taken it for granted that our last four jobs had good healthcare policies.  Don't get me wrong, we paid a lot for the policies, but we also got good benefits if we stayed in network.

They are changing coverage at DH's new job I guess because of new government regulations.

So now we would pay almost $1000 (up $200 from this year) per month and his company is matching $900 per month and we would be covered for routine care with a $30 co-pay.  But, if we are sick or have to go to the hospital we pay the first $3k per person and then 20% after.   I'm so use to paying about $750 per month for our family, paying a co-pay and that was it.

They have HSAs but they are use them or lose them at the end of the year.  With two children...boys...and one who has to go to the Dr a lot this is really freaking me out.  

 

This is the highest plan they have....you can pay less per month but then you have a higher co-pay and more per person like $5k and then 30% of all costs.

 

Does it make sense to do a lower priced plan and then get private secondary insurance?  Or a private HSA that doesn't turn over each year?

 

We only have 4 days to decide what to do and this could not come at a worse time for me.  Thanks for any advice!

caja04

Health insurance is a nightmare.  The only thing I can think to ask you is do you guys possibly qualify for Peachcare?  The income cutoff is pretty high (maybe $53,000 for a family of 4?).  What you are dealing with sounds so similar to my husband's insurance.  It cost around $1,000/month just for the family premiums, but once I found out that the kids were eligible for Peachcare, we at least reduced that to $505 for the two of us.

I hope this might be somewhat helpful 

MrsL1022

Do they offer both an HSA-Health savings-you accumulate this through out the year and it rolls over. 

FSA-Flex spending is the use or loose. We do this one and will use all that we allotted for this year.

It sounds like you are going to pay through the nose no matter what plan you go with and it sounds like the 1k plan will offer more comprehensive coverage. I would choose that one. I don't know how it works with secondary insurance but from what i know about it (which is very little), secondary insurance can mess with your primary insurance rather than picking up the gap in coverage. GL I know it's hard to choose and super confusing. I still call my mother, the insurance guru, every open enrollment.  

frlcb

I agree that secondary insurance can be not as helpful as people think. I would find an insurance broker in SC, and talk to them about it. They can give you options. I wouldn't do a private policy because you will pay a lot of money, have high deductibles and the coverage is never as good or comprehensive as a group plan.

lindzed

Wow that seems very high to me.  I'm afriad I have no clue, but if I were you I would do a few calls to humana, uhc, and maybe bcbs of georgia and get a quick quote on private insurance.  Secondary insurance is usually a pain and I've never had any luck with it actually paying.