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How do people afford health insurance??
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amother
Ecru


 

Post Thu, Feb 01 2018, 12:16 am
My husband was just offered insurance for a fee thru his employer. I had Medicaid till now so never paid out of pocket. The prices are insane. Insurance for a family of 5 will cost me approx $1200.00 monthly plus copay and deductibles! Are there any cheaper options out there? Anyone know who can help me with this in Brooklyn?
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SpottedBanana




 
 
    
 

Post Thu, Feb 01 2018, 12:52 am
Have you heard of the health insurance exchanges through the ACA (otherwise known as Obamacare)? I have no idea what they offer, what their pricing is, etc but you should check them out. https://nystateofhealth.ny.gov

Also, is your plan an HMO or PPO? PPO's cover more out of network care but are more expensive -- if that plan is a PPO see if you can get an HMO. There are probably options also if you just want catastrophic insurance (cheap but a very high deductible so you guessed it, it's helpful pretty much only for catastrophes).
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FranticFrummie




 
 
    
 

Post Thu, Feb 01 2018, 1:16 am
Honestly? I had to move to Israel. I have many medical issues, and the only way I could afford all of my specialists and medications was to move. Of course I moved for a dozen other reasons, but this, and tuition for DD, were at the top of my list.

I went from over $400 a month in medications to $39 a month. Maccabi is $80 a month, and Medicare in the US was $89 a month. I'm terrible at math, but this was a no brainer. No copays for MRI, CT scan, bloodwork, office visits, everything is covered.

By moving to a smaller town, I was able to cut my rent in half compared to what I was paying in a large town in the US.

In the US I was almost entirely dependent on the kosher food bank at JFS. The ability to go into a grocery store and afford food is a wonderful feeling.
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Gerbera




 
 
    
 

Post Thu, Feb 01 2018, 3:09 am
Insurance costs is a huge part of why we remain in Canada. Prescriptions are free where we live for everyone under 25 and we don't pay anything out of pocket directly (yes we have taxes) for medical services. I have no idea how much hospital stays or treatments have cost but BH cost has never been a barrier when deciding to go to an ER or doctor. I think I'm shocked by threads I've read regarding what ppl pay during pregnancy and for hospital delivery.
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amother
Burgundy


 

Post Thu, Feb 01 2018, 3:27 am
Come to England . Everything here is free . But u really don't get the service u get in the US.
Sometimes we go to a socialist paying out of our pocket . But all prescriptions here are free
Free eye tests and a lot of free glasses to choose from
Free dental care

There's also private insurance here but most ppl just use the NHS
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amother
Cerulean


 

Post Thu, Feb 01 2018, 7:03 am
With great difficulty. It's ridiculous. And even with insurance, there are still tons of out of pocket costs, you often have to fight for the coverage you are owed according to the plan. Almost makes you wonder what the point of insurance is. It's horrible. Obamacare won't help. For one thing, you're not eligible if your employer offers a plan. For another, Obamacare is actually worse than employer based plans in many ways. The whole system is so messed up. But what can you do? Insurance is a must. If someone breaks a bone or something, you'll be a lot worse off without insurance than with. And there's always Aliyah.
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amother
Seafoam


 

Post Thu, Feb 01 2018, 7:24 am
I’m sorry to say this but that actually sounds like a decent price for a family of 5...
Although I do hope you find something cheaper!
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mommywife




 
 
    
 

Post Thu, Feb 01 2018, 7:30 am
Yes it does sound reasonable comparatively
Most probably his employer is getting a steep discount as a business group
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BH5745




 
 
    
 

Post Thu, Feb 01 2018, 1:25 pm
$1,200 for a family of 5 does not sound very manageable, considering that if chas v'shalom one ever has to go to a hospital they have co-pays and deductibles! Perhaps if EVERYTHING was covered 100% by insurance it would be ok. Otherwise, this seems like quite a bot of money. On top of that add the cost of tuition, rent or a mortgage, food, gas/electricity and clothing...

To be honest one of the reasons we made aliyah was healthcare combined with all our other expenses were unaffordable. In Eretz Yisroel we pay less than $100 a month for our family's health insurance, and our children attend the public Haredi sector schools (Talmud Torah and Beis Yaakov) for free ba"h. Perhaps you can look into aliyah if you are finding life in the US unaffordable?
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Blessing1




 
 
    
 

Post Thu, Feb 01 2018, 1:29 pm
Unfortunately $1200 for a family of 5 is decent if not cheap.... Can you check if at least the kids are eligible for child health plus? There's a monthly copay but not astronomical.
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BH5745




 
 
    
 

Post Thu, Feb 01 2018, 1:38 pm
Even if $1,200 is comparatively cheap, that doesn't make it objectively cheap. If health insurance would cost $3,000 or $5,000 or $10,000 a month per family of 5 as an average, that has nothing to do with whether $1,200 plus co-pays and deductibles is a good price or not. A good price means the family can comfortably afford it. Most American families of 5 cannot afford such expensive health insurance and tuition and mortgage/rent costs in a frum neighborhood.
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amother
Ecru


 

Post Thu, Feb 01 2018, 1:43 pm
thanks for all your replies. Its sounds insane to me these prices when they still come with deductibles, co-pays and many other fees. And were not talking about a high income at all just about 7,000 monthly before taxes. It seems to me that we would be better off with a lower income and be eligible for health insurance and food stamps and many other benefits.
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thunderstorm




 
 
    
 

Post Thu, Feb 01 2018, 1:48 pm
Blessing1 wrote:
Unfortunately $1200 for a family of 5 is decent if not cheap.... Can you check if at least the kids are eligible for child health plus? There's a monthly copay but not astronomical.

I think that if employer offers coverage for the children then they can't get child health plus as far as I understand.
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amother
Aqua


 

Post Thu, Feb 01 2018, 1:50 pm
Sounds very cheap. I'm paying 2500- a month. Copays, no deductible. I took a no deductible plan because I realized it was cheaper since I'm pregnant bh and one family member needs minor surgery.
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Blessing1




 
 
    
 

Post Thu, Feb 01 2018, 2:23 pm
Bizzydizzy, anyone can apply for child health plus. OP, according to your income, your kids will be eligable.
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amother
Violet


 

Post Thu, Feb 01 2018, 3:44 pm
amother wrote:
My husband was just offered insurance for a fee thru his employer. I had Medicaid till now so never paid out of pocket. The prices are insane. Insurance for a family of 5 will cost me approx $1200.00 monthly plus copay and deductibles! Are there any cheaper options out there? Anyone know who can help me with this in Brooklyn?


I totally get you. Healthcare costs these days are really out of control. Though I do agree with other posters that $1200 for a family plan is not that high. Here’s what I pay:

Me-I need a good insurance because I have health problems, so I get it through my employer. I pay $700 monthly premium + $64 union dues, and I have a $3000 deductible.
DH- has catastrophic insurance through the marketplace. I think it’s $180 per month, with a $7000 deductible.
DS-child health plus, $15 monthly premium, no other out of pocket costs.

A few things to consider:

Can your children get Child Health Plus, and then you and DH can get a couple plan (Instead of a family plan) which should have a lower premium?

If you are still eligible for Medicaid, they have a relatively unknown program called Premium Assistance Program, where they contribute to the costs of your premium through your employer, instead of paying for a Medicaid HMO.

If you are not eligible for Medicaid, then look into the essential plan, or an Obamacare plan with a subsidy. You have to crunch the numbers and compare how much an Obamacare plan vs. employer plan will cost, when taking all copays, deductibles, coinsurance into account.

Is your husband’s employer contributing to the premium? If he is not, and you are paying the full premium, then it is probably not considered an “affordable” plan under the ACA, and so you would still be eligible for a subsidy for a marketplace plan.

In Brooklyn, Nachas Health and Yeled V’Yalda can help you figure out obamacare.
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sleepless




 
 
    
 

Post Thu, Feb 01 2018, 3:46 pm
You should get child health plus for your kids. There are no copays and insurance for yourself and your husband will be significantly less
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amother
Violet


 

Post Thu, Feb 01 2018, 3:51 pm
amother wrote:
thanks for all your replies. Its sounds insane to me these prices when they still come with deductibles, co-pays and many other fees. And were not talking about a high income at all just about 7,000 monthly before taxes. It seems to me that we would be better off with a lower income and be eligible for health insurance and food stamps and many other benefits.


I completely agree with your last sentence. I would be much better off if I made less $ and was in a lower income tax bracket + Medicaid + food stamps + WIC + earned income tax credit. But I don’t believe in living that way, and I think that ultimately we are better off if we are financially independent. So I am dirt poor and live in a tiny apartment, while my family members and friends who live off programs go on exotic vacations, and spend tons on clothing, and furniture and baby equipment. Sigh. What can you do.
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cozyblanket




 
 
    
 

Post Thu, Feb 01 2018, 4:01 pm
So you used to be Medicaid eligible for the whole family and now you are not? Your kids may still qualify. For you and DH, call the marketplace about plans for the 2 of you. If you do not qualify for Medicaid, the tax credit makes it affordable. Be prepared to give the rep a lot of info.
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amother
Ecru


 

Post Thu, Feb 01 2018, 5:00 pm
amother wrote:
I totally get you. Healthcare costs these days are really out of control. Though I do agree with other posters that $1200 for a family plan is not that high. Here’s what I pay:

Me-I need a good insurance because I have health problems, so I get it through my employer. I pay $700 monthly premium + $64 union dues, and I have a $3000 deductible.
DH- has catastrophic insurance through the marketplace. I think it’s $180 per month, with a $7000 deductible.
DS-child health plus, $15 monthly premium, no other out of pocket costs.

A few things to consider:

Can your children get Child Health Plus, and then you and DH can get a couple plan (Instead of a family plan) which should have a lower premium?

If you are still eligible for Medicaid, they have a relatively unknown program called Premium Assistance Program, where they contribute to the costs of your premium through your employer, instead of paying for a Medicaid HMO.

If you are not eligible for Medicaid, then look into the essential plan, or an Obamacare plan with a subsidy. You have to crunch the numbers and compare how much an Obamacare plan vs. employer plan will cost, when taking all copays, deductibles, coinsurance into account.

Is your husband’s employer contributing to the premium? If he is not, and you are paying the full premium, then it is probably not considered an “affordable” plan under the ACA, and so you would still be eligible for a subsidy for a marketplace plan.

In Brooklyn, Nachas Health and Yeled V’Yalda can help you figure out obamacare.


Thanks for the clear breakdown. I spoke to nachas they don't do Obamacare. I'm lost and don't know whom I can talk to to explain me all options.
Also, what's a deductible? Can u give me an example?
My kids are eligible for child health plus for $45 per child per month.
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