Health Insurance

Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN · Dec 15, 2014

Does your program offer insurance?

Me personally...I have found it expensive unless you can get assistance.

augurey · Dec 15, 2014

I quit my job to go to school. I was the one carrying the insurance. My husband works for a very small company so he isn't offered any through work.

I looked into Obamacare when I first considered the idea of going to nursing school. If you have low income, some policies will allow a low monthly premium, but your deductible will be extremely high. When I was looking into this before going this route, we were looking at $10,000+ deductible which really would have been impossible for us. The lower the premium (or free if low enough income I was told), the higher the deductible.

My state has a benefit checker to see if we would have been eligible under medical assistance from the state. Based on our income, it rated us as likely to be eligible. So we took the chance and tried that route. Luckily we were eligible (otherwise we would have had to go through Obamacare, but we would have had a really reduced rate or wouldn't have had to pay, but would have had a very high deductible). I feel bad doing the state assistance, but it's temporary to get us in the right direction.

However, keep in mind that it's income based on the number of people in your household. Also, it could take a month or longer for your application to be processed (It took almost a month and a half for my daughter and almost 3 months for my husband and me - there was a glitch in the system that wasn't noticed until later so we were denied incorrectly initially). If approved, they usually backdate to your application date or the beginning of the month of the application date. I'm basing this on Ohio, so I don't know how your state would differ.

There's a website for Obamacare, and a phone number you can call to inquire. Before we went this route, I actually called them to get as much information as possible. I told them that I was planning on quitting my job to go back to school so they'd know that my current situation at the time wasn't applicable, so it's hard to get completely accurate information at that specific time, but helpful to talk to someone who can give you the ins and outs. This might be your best bet to get a general idea on the different plans, monthly cost, prescription, how quickly it'll kick in once you apply, etc.

I hope you're able to get the information you need, but just so you know it is possible. It might be hard, but I hope you're able to get it worked out.

studentnursemon86 · Dec 15, 2014

Well, I will have to work full time. Obamacare would be $400 a month plus a $10,000 deductible, roughly.

We don't qualify for medical assistance because my husband makes too much, and his employer already passed their open enrollment for me to go on his insurance. He waived his to be on mine.

My options are: work full-time to pay for bills and health insurance; or work part time to pay for health insurance but not be able to afford to pay for heat/electric.

KatRNStudent · Dec 15, 2014

Does your program offer it?? My school offers health insurance because it's required to have for the program. I would highly suggest you look into that. My schools insurance was cheaper than what we pay.. but the thing for us was we have two kids also so we had no reason to get the schools since my husband already carries the insurance.

studentnursemon86 · Dec 15, 2014

No, my school does not offer it.

mrsboots87 · Dec 15, 2014

Maybe cost is based on state as well as income because we have decent insurance through the marketplace in AZ. My husband owns his own business and I don't work. He doesn't have employees so he doesn't qualify for discounted insurance that way. We were $270 a month but it's going up to $400 a month starting jan after our credit. Deductible is 1250 per person 2500 family max. $5 generic prescription. $10 office visit. $20 specialist. $75 ER. $40 urgent care. And 10% co insurance up to max for inpatient and surgical. It's pretty decent.

and this is for myself, my husband, and my 2 kids.

Sizzline · Dec 16, 2014

It is definitely state-dependent. I'm in NY, and for a family of 4, as a single-income family, we'd pay over twice as much as mrsboots87 mentioned, with a $6000 deductible per person, $12000 max. It's ridiculous.

WookieeRN, BSN, MSN, RN · Dec 16, 2014

I got a pretty good plan that was affordable. I got a platinum plan for $140/mo with $15/35/75 for pcp/specialist/ER visits. Prescriptions are $10/35/65 ( generic/name brand/ specialty). My deductible is $1000.

studentnursemon86 · Dec 16, 2014

I'll just work full time. With that I pay $250 monthly. 15/30/100 PCP/specialist/ER and 8/40 generic/name brand. My deductible is $550 ($225/person) that is for my husband and me. If we have kids it will stay the same since that is the "family plan."

studentnursemon86 · Dec 16, 2014

Oh and I'm in PA. I don't know if that makes a difference.

Being lower middle class is no fun. No help with anything. I don't even get financial aid for school.

I've been paying out of pocket. Thankfully, my employer reimburses 85%

RNsRWe, ASN, RN · Dec 16, 2014

Well, I will have to work full time. Obamacare would be $400 a month plus a $10,000 deductible, roughly.
We don't qualify for medical assistance because my husband makes too much, and his employer already passed their open enrollment for me to go on his insurance. He waived his to be on mine.
My options are: work full-time to pay for bills and health insurance; or work part time to pay for health insurance but not be able to afford to pay for heat/electric.

There's a way 'in' even though Open Enrollment has passed: a major event, such as marriage, birth, death, qualifies as a reason to change an employee's insurance option even thought it's NOT during Open Enrollment. And a spouse who provided health insurance no longer having that job IS one of the conditions that would allow for it.

Have your husband check with HR; if he's an otherwise-eligible employee, they have to let him enroll.