getting independent health insurance?

HarryHK · Dec 4, 2005

Does anyone know of any good health insurance companies out there that cover a lot of states?
I would have to cover myself, husband, and 2 children.
Is it any cheaper to go this route, and not fool with what the company you work for offers? I just worry in between assignments that i will have to pay cobra price (through the roof!). Plus, If i want to take more than a month off in between assignments, i hear that the companies drop your insurance. I cant afford to not have anything- I don't live that dangerously
Taking a couple months off a year kinda sounds good already....
Any suggestions, companies, or rates for family coverage you can share???
Thanks a bunch! :wink2:

I'm with you on COBRA. The family rate is outrageous and when you are in the worst possible position to pay for it!
Blue Cross has a product for individuals and families. I do not know the rates, but it sounds like you do travel nursing and need a carrier with national coverage. Try their website for detailed information.

A couple of points about COBRA, you are effectively paying for it when you are employed (otherwise you would be making more take home). So it is already affordable. Second, if all you want is a month or two off a year, with the appropriate steps you are effectively covered by COBRA before you have to pay out any money (see below). In fact, you can choose to pay only if your actual healthcare costs exceed your COBRA payment. (No wonder this law had to be imposed on insurance companies. And third, there is no better value in general than COBRA. It is group health, rates less than half of equivalent insurance bought privately. And you cannot be denied. Privately obtained insurance requires a 6 month to a year delay for coverage of pre-existing conditions and some conditions will not be covered at all (although the delay is waived with proof of recent coverage).

Cobra rules as I understand them:

1. Employer must continue paid insurance through the end of the calendar month your employment ended.

2. They must mail you an election form asking you if you wish to Cobra your insurance. You have 30 days from receiving this form to make a decision. That is likely more than five weeks after your employment ended. So this is the time frame (roughly) that you have to decide to continue your insurance or not.

3. You have 30 days after electing to Cobra by sending in the form to pay. You will owe for the next calendar month after your employment ended through the current calendar month. After that, you are supposed to pay in advance for new months. I don't know if there is a grace period - probably is one.

4. Your former employer is required to let you Cobra your insurance for 18 months after you leave their employment. Might be a good idea to do that if the insurance is good and take a stipend from current agency. This assumes you keep up the payments. Your former employer may only charge you exactly what the insurance company charges them (this will change at least once a year) plus two percent as an administration fee.

All of this information should be included with the election form your agency sends you at the end of a contract.