Catastrophic Health Insurance

Hello Ladies and Gentlemen-

Any suggestions out there for high deductible, low monthly cost health insurance?

Thanks in advance for the info.

Check out Rocky Mountain Health Plans ...

rmhp.org/individuals-famili…

The HSA 5000 might be the ticket.

That looks just about right, unfortunately for Colorado residents only.(I live in Wyoming)

Thanks for the heads up, though. I've never had an HSA, are there any pitfalls I should be aware of?

If you're under 30, Blue Cross/Shield Anthem Tonik plans are great. I paid about $70? (maybe less, I can't remember) a month for a $5000 deductible and four doctors visits a year. I had to have double hernia surgery that cost $10,000, so I saved $5k, better than nothing. I currently have full health coverage, but broke my ankle in May, the total charges were $28,000+, my out of pocket was only about $1200, but just an example. I'd much rather pay $5k than 28.

Mark Vogel wrote:Hello Ladies and Gentlemen- Any suggestions out there for high deductible, low monthly cost health insurance? Thanks in advance for the info.

I have a high deductible plan through Kaiser. It's cheap (especially for younguns--prices increase dramatically with age) and they've been good to me. There are Kaiser horror stories as well, but that's probably true for all/most health care plans these days.
Just an option to consider if they operate in your area.

I've had good luck with Golden Rule Insurance company (AKA United Health One). When I signed up about 4 years ago, they had no restrictions for rock climbing which set them apart from others. I have a 2500 deductible with $15 copay for doctors visits for $143.00 per month. There are cheaper options. Wyoming is listed on their website. goldenrule.com/.

Semi-relevant side note. My insurance costs have jumped from $103 to $143 in the last 2.5 years because of the "rising costs of health care". Same plan with no claims...

Do your research and shop around!! After loosing my job this year I contacted about 10 different providers. You will learn loads about health insurance when you buy your own. I did!! Remember you can only afford the deductible if you have the money. $2500 deductible = $2500 in savings.
Good luck!!

Steve Taylor wrote:Remember you can only afford the deductible if you have the money. $2500 deductible = $2500 in savings. Good luck!!

This is not entirely true, just having health insurance often cuts 25-50% off the bill due to certain expenses that will be waived by the HMO. I took a bad tumble a year and a half ago, the original bill from the emergency clinic was over $750, but I only paid a bit over $200 once my HMO did their magic. I have a $5k deductible as well.

I pay $102 a month and that covers medical and dental. My deductible is $2500. I get two cleanings and a physical a year. I haven't had anything really to test it though. It's through Aetna.

pfwein wrote: I have a high deductible plan through Kaiser. It's cheap (especially for younguns--prices increase dramatically with age) and they've been good to me. There are Kaiser horror stories as well, but that's probably true for all/most health care plans these days. Just an option to consider if they operate in your area.

i was on a hihg deductible/low cost KP program. I never needed it for something huge, but I did go in for the included health exams.

They tried to tack on "non-standard lab fees." After consulting a physician friend and calling the billing office to find out what the codes were actually charging me for, I concluded that KP's definitions for "non-standard lab fees" included many tests that other doctors called routiine. I called and argued the charges; they dropped them immediately.

WORD OF ADVICE: a lot of doctors will have you sign a sheet pre authorizing any services and charges they deem medically necesary but are outside your coverage policy. This is basically signing a blank check. Tell them you will sign for approval of fees on a case by case basis and only after they explain the necesity and cost of each test.

From about age 24 to 28 I used one of these plans from Fortis. It was great. I don't have the details, I could see if I still have any of the paperwork. It paid for a new shoulder!