Does it pay for me to switch to Jersey Care?

amother

Jade

Thu, Mar 10 2022, 7:33 pm

We recently joined NJ family care instead of private insurance.

The savings are incredible. But specialists are difficult. Examples: I took my kid to the optometrist (covered by jersey care) and he recommended I go to an ophthalmologist. There is ONE option, and there's a 12 month wait for an appointment.

I'd like my kid to see an allergist. I think there's one name, not anyone anyone ever heard of.

And it's illegal for doctors to charge public aid patients for private care. So if you don't find someone in network, you're completely stuck.

Would I prefer to pay for insurance? Not really... but it can get really frustrating.

amother

Royalblue

Thu, Mar 10 2022, 8:03 pm

amother [ Trillium ] wrote:

You need a better accountant. No way is your taxes 35%. Something is very off there.
We’re a family of 3 with an income of about 175 and our taxes are about 25%

This.

amother

Yolk

Thu, Mar 10 2022, 8:21 pm

amother [ Jade ] wrote:

Dr compleattaro is the only one taking uhccp now. I switched my kids to dr press and now pay out of pocket. Compleattaro was great but everyone is using him now. So my kids weren’t being seen as often as necessary and the wait for an appointment was crazy sometimes, never mind the schlep. You can pay for dr press out of pocket because he doesn’t participate in jerseycare at all. What you said is only true if the dr sees some patients on jerseycare but doesn’t want to accept new jerseycare patients.

amother

Yolk

Thu, Mar 10 2022, 8:24 pm

amother [ Dandelion ] wrote:

I’d be concerned about hospitals and specialists if you drop your insurance

Enough hospitals take it. I pay for specialists oop but it’s still cheaper than paying for insurance. Every few months I run the numbers again, eventually it may be worth it to go private

amother

Slategray

Thu, Mar 10 2022, 8:28 pm

Just for the record, Jersey care is amazing insurance for kids. It covers everything and if you can most likely keep your drs (just ask which plans of family care they cover- there’s a few to choose from)

If your kids are free on work insurance anyways it might not make a huge difference since you won’t really be saving money on premiums. But the copays are low and coverage is the best out there IMO

amother

Papaya

Thu, Mar 10 2022, 8:30 pm

amother [ OP ] wrote:

That's what I thought. I would have to switch. So I'm wondering if it's worth it - and if it would be allowed if my insurance does currently cover my children for free....

It’s amazing for some things especially if you live in Lakewood where there seem to be a lot of doctors who take it (not so much for my friends in North Jersey) but when it comes to specialists and procedures it can be very limiting and you may have to wait for appointments or travel.
You could probably switch back to your old insurance at their next open enrolment so you don’t have to make a long term decision you can try it out for a year. Obviously confirm that this is the case for you.