do you have Private Health Insurance??

hcox1975, BSN, RN · Oct 13, 2010

Try Alfa, the have a single policy for around $100 a month. I have never had it but my brother in law did, so I am not sure what it covers.

Blackcat99 · Oct 13, 2010

$588 per pay period!!!! :eek:Yikes. I would definately check into finding more affordable insurance. That's ridiculous!!!!

classicdame, MSN, EdD · Oct 13, 2010

talk to a general insurance agent rather than an insurance company. They represent more than one company and will be able to offer choices. Consider a policy with a high deductible so your premiums are lower, then put the deductible in the savings account and leave it there! Good luck

AgentBeast, MSN, RN · Oct 13, 2010

talk to a general insurance agent rather than an insurance company. They represent more than one company and will be able to offer choices. Consider a policy with a high deductible so your premiums are lower, then put the deductible in the savings account and leave it there! Good luck

I was going to say exactly the same thing. The agents actually work for you (commission) so it is in their best interest to get get you a plan that works for you and to keep you happy. Also, the money you put into the "Health Savings Account" is tax deductible provided you don't take it out for any other use then you have to pay tax on it.

netglow, ASN, RN · Oct 13, 2010

Yes I have off and on many years, and currently.

I go to ehealthinsurance.com and look at them all/compare. Then I also go to the major carrier websites... last time, I ended up doing it at the major carrier and all online.

No one should call you. No reason to go through any person, just read everything provided before you sign up (if you are unfamiliar with the industry).

OgopogoLPN, LPN, RN · Oct 13, 2010

I just got the health insurance policy information for my new job and they want $588 PER PAY PERIOD for their cheapest insurance! And it is still a horrible policy!!!
I am thinking that private insurance may be the way to go, but I am not very knowledgeable about insurance providers. I tried doing an online quote service, but I was spammed with 18 telephone calls from various salesmen. Its overwhelming!
Help me please! Any advice would be great.

:eek: :eek: :eek:

Makes me so grateful for my not-so-perfect, heavily taxed and flawed, but affordable Canadian Universal Health Care!!!!!

Boog'sCRRN246, RN · Oct 13, 2010

If you're single, relatively healthy, and only go to the doctor for routine exams, you can get private insurance for a very reasonable price. My insurance has a high deductible, but everything I use it for (yearly female exams, office visits, etc.) either has a small co-pay with the deductible waived, or it's covered completely.

And, I agree, no one should call you (unless that's what you want). You should be able to get a quote online that's going to be within a few dollars of what you can expect your monthly premium to be.

Chico David, BSN, RN · Oct 13, 2010

A couple of thoughts:

That rate is insane for group insurance, but I guess that's the way our insurance industry is going.

Assuming that you are healthy and reasonably medically sophisticated, consider a high deductable policy with a Health Savings Account (HSA)

The policy needs to be "HSA compliant" - which mostly means high deductable.

You can get the policy and then shop for an HSA account at a local bank - look for one with no annual fees. You put money into the account which you then use to pay your uncovered medical expenses. The money you put in is tax deductable, which means that you are essentially paying your medical expenses with pre-tax money - a significant savings. A good policy should have pretty good coverage once you exceed the deductible.

These policies are not good for people who are chronically ill, or who can't afford the deductible or to fund the account. And they aren't for a person who isn't smart about what medical things are really needed and what aren't. So a lot of the public should avoid them, but they can work for a lot of nurses.

And I second the advice about a good independent agent. Mine was a huge help to me.

Pegasus65 · Oct 14, 2010

Gosh I couldn't help but wonder if this was the same company that my employment uses lol. I actually applied for a part-time job and was planning on just getting some private insurance. However, they offered me full time and the ONLY reason I accepted the position was because I thought I would be getting benefits. Then I found out it would be $840 a month for my husband and I. Sheesh... neither one of us even go to the doctor regularly or take any medications at the present time. I can't afford that.

So once again I am back to trying to find something in a private sector. I also found out about getting quotes online. OMG .... they are still calling after two months!

Have a great day!