Comments on: Question of the Day – Budgeting and Healthcare http://allfinancialmatters.com/2006/11/03/question-of-the-day-budgeting-and-healthcare/ A personal finance blog dedicated to discussing such topics as budgeting, asset allocation, 401K, IRA, cash flow, insurance, financial planning, portfolio management, and other areas in personal finance. Thu, 24 May 2012 12:43:16 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v= By: tired-of-being-broke http://allfinancialmatters.com/2006/11/03/question-of-the-day-budgeting-and-healthcare/comment-page-1/#comment-40484 tired-of-being-broke Mon, 06 Nov 2006 04:11:22 +0000 http://allthingsfinancialblog.com/2006/11/03/question-of-the-day-budgeting-and-healthcare/#comment-40484 I pay around $38 per pay check for single coverage in a PPO employer sponsored plan. The copays are around $20. My dental is $50 deductible per year with a $1500 maximum coverage. For me this is high coming from two jobs where I did not have to pay health insurance premium. I pay around $38 per pay check for single coverage in a PPO employer sponsored plan. The copays are around $20. My dental is $50 deductible per year with a $1500 maximum coverage.
For me this is high coming from two jobs where I did not have to pay health insurance premium.

]]> By: finance girl http://allfinancialmatters.com/2006/11/03/question-of-the-day-budgeting-and-healthcare/comment-page-1/#comment-40304 finance girl Sun, 05 Nov 2006 20:16:23 +0000 http://allthingsfinancialblog.com/2006/11/03/question-of-the-day-budgeting-and-healthcare/#comment-40304 Our health care, dental, and vision costs? 0 for the both of us. Yep. Microsoft Benefits rock! We pay no copay, no deductibles, no prescriptions costs. Our health care, dental, and vision costs?

0 for the both of us.

Yep.

Microsoft Benefits rock! We pay no copay, no deductibles, no prescriptions costs.

]]> By: 2million http://allfinancialmatters.com/2006/11/03/question-of-the-day-budgeting-and-healthcare/comment-page-1/#comment-40172 2million Sun, 05 Nov 2006 16:06:29 +0000 http://allthingsfinancialblog.com/2006/11/03/question-of-the-day-budgeting-and-healthcare/#comment-40172 My monthly costs for just me in 2007: health insurance is $58 dental is $16 flexible spending account is $180 I am one of those folks that greatly benefit from group health insurance - it would be financially crippling otherwise. My monthly costs for just me in 2007:
health insurance is $58
dental is $16
flexible spending account is $180

I am one of those folks that greatly benefit from group health insurance – it would be financially crippling otherwise.

]]> By: sam http://allfinancialmatters.com/2006/11/03/question-of-the-day-budgeting-and-healthcare/comment-page-1/#comment-39728 sam Sat, 04 Nov 2006 19:57:43 +0000 http://allthingsfinancialblog.com/2006/11/03/question-of-the-day-budgeting-and-healthcare/#comment-39728 I have a high-deductible plan with HSA through the Federal govt. (self only) I just calculated the net cost for next year (premium, less their contribution to my HSA account) and it works out to $62 for the year. Of course, the Feds pay about 2/3 of the total premium. Two years ago, before my youngest daughter turned 22 and was dropped from coverage, I was paying about $185 every two weeks for a family plan. I'm a lot happier now. I have a high-deductible plan with HSA through the Federal govt. (self only) I just calculated the net cost for next year (premium, less their contribution to my HSA account) and it works out to $62 for the year. Of course, the Feds pay about 2/3 of the total premium.

Two years ago, before my youngest daughter turned 22 and was dropped from coverage, I was paying about $185 every two weeks for a family plan. I’m a lot happier now.

]]> By: Scott http://allfinancialmatters.com/2006/11/03/question-of-the-day-budgeting-and-healthcare/comment-page-1/#comment-39465 Scott Sat, 04 Nov 2006 14:13:31 +0000 http://allthingsfinancialblog.com/2006/11/03/question-of-the-day-budgeting-and-healthcare/#comment-39465 I have a high-deductible plan with HSA so the monthly premium is covered by my employer. Premiums for my employer's alternative HMO plans have gone up by 30% each of the last 2 years and they have eliminated the PPO-type alternatives. I recently had a CT scan to monitor for recurrence of cancer after I had surgery to remove a tumor on a rib earlier this year. On first evaluation, the insurance company seems to be wanting to reject the expense since it appears to be a routine procedure and therefore not covered. It seems to be risking long-term expense for short-term savings. Maybe they're trying to encourage me to take my health expenses to a different insurance, or maybe they've determined that if I skip the testing to save money, any recurrence would be found at a later stage and I would die more quickly and actually save them money long-term. I have a high-deductible plan with HSA so the monthly premium is covered by my employer. Premiums for my employer’s alternative HMO plans have gone up by 30% each of the last 2 years and they have eliminated the PPO-type alternatives.

I recently had a CT scan to monitor for recurrence of cancer after I had surgery to remove a tumor on a rib earlier this year. On first evaluation, the insurance company seems to be wanting to reject the expense since it appears to be a routine procedure and therefore not covered. It seems to be risking long-term expense for short-term savings. Maybe they’re trying to encourage me to take my health expenses to a different insurance, or maybe they’ve determined that if I skip the testing to save money, any recurrence would be found at a later stage and I would die more quickly and actually save them money long-term.

]]> By: Carlin http://allfinancialmatters.com/2006/11/03/question-of-the-day-budgeting-and-healthcare/comment-page-1/#comment-39352 Carlin Sat, 04 Nov 2006 06:22:38 +0000 http://allthingsfinancialblog.com/2006/11/03/question-of-the-day-budgeting-and-healthcare/#comment-39352 I pay $62 a month for medical coverage, employer sponsored. I pay an extra $20 something a month for employer sponsored dental coverage too. I'm switching to the high deductible plan for next year so I can put money in an HSA. My employer puts their savings into the HSA also. I think I've gone to the doctor twice in 2 years and gotten 2 generic prescriptions when I had my wisdom teeth out. Total savings for 2 years of premiums is about $132. Yeah, I'm one of those people subsidizing other people's costs. That's why I'm switching. Also, costs keep going up for a lot of reasons. I'm not an expert on it, but I think that it has a lot to do with unnecessary procedures being done just because insurance covers it, which ends up costing the insurance company more, which they just pass on to the people paying the premiums. For example, my doctor wanted me to get a CT scan for some stomach pain I had because she wasn't sure what was causing the pain. I explained to her that it could be my diet because it started around the time I started eating Balance Bars. She said it could be, but instead of saying, "Stop eating them for a couple weeks and we'll see what happens", it was, "Well, the pain doesn't make sense to me because it's not most of the normal things that cause abdominal pain, so you should get a CT scan". Side note, it's great to hear your doctor say I'm not sure what's wrong with you, CT scan time! That didn't freak me out at all. Anyways, I told her no, I'm not getting a CT scan right away. I'll stop eating the Balance Bars and see what happens, and the pain went away. I kind of wonder why that wasn't her suggestion and instead exposing me to costly and unnecessary radiation was a better idea. I pay $62 a month for medical coverage, employer sponsored. I pay an extra $20 something a month for employer sponsored dental coverage too.
I’m switching to the high deductible plan for next year so I can put money in an HSA. My employer puts their savings into the HSA also. I think I’ve gone to the doctor twice in 2 years and gotten 2 generic prescriptions when I had my wisdom teeth out. Total savings for 2 years of premiums is about $132. Yeah, I’m one of those people subsidizing other people’s costs. That’s why I’m switching.
Also, costs keep going up for a lot of reasons. I’m not an expert on it, but I think that it has a lot to do with unnecessary procedures being done just because insurance covers it, which ends up costing the insurance company more, which they just pass on to the people paying the premiums. For example, my doctor wanted me to get a CT scan for some stomach pain I had because she wasn’t sure what was causing the pain. I explained to her that it could be my diet because it started around the time I started eating Balance Bars. She said it could be, but instead of saying, “Stop eating them for a couple weeks and we’ll see what happens”, it was, “Well, the pain doesn’t make sense to me because it’s not most of the normal things that cause abdominal pain, so you should get a CT scan”. Side note, it’s great to hear your doctor say I’m not sure what’s wrong with you, CT scan time! That didn’t freak me out at all. Anyways, I told her no, I’m not getting a CT scan right away. I’ll stop eating the Balance Bars and see what happens, and the pain went away. I kind of wonder why that wasn’t her suggestion and instead exposing me to costly and unnecessary radiation was a better idea.

]]> By: Cindy http://allfinancialmatters.com/2006/11/03/question-of-the-day-budgeting-and-healthcare/comment-page-1/#comment-39251 Cindy Fri, 03 Nov 2006 20:08:45 +0000 http://allthingsfinancialblog.com/2006/11/03/question-of-the-day-budgeting-and-healthcare/#comment-39251 Oh for the good ole days of employer plans! I've had individual insurance for 10 years, and have experienced first-hand the absolute highway robbery of our healthcare system. As if getting older each year were not enough, I get the lovely birthday notice each year from my insurance carrier with the 15% premium increases. And on milestone birthdays the premiums go up even more! To minimize costs, I've maxed out the deductible ($5000) and switched to an HSA plan. Tried to switch to a lower-priced carrier but the underwriters don't like my allergies. Current monthly premium (just me, no preventive care, no maternity, no nuthin') is $167. I'd rather build up my HSA for the inevitable health emergency than send it away in premiums every year. Fortunately, other than chronic (and untreated) allergy and sinus issues, I'm a very healthy person. Too bad it's cost-prohibitive for me to go to the doctor. Must remain calm - can't afford a trip to the ER ... Oh for the good ole days of employer plans! I’ve had individual insurance for 10 years, and have experienced first-hand the absolute highway robbery of our healthcare system. As if getting older each year were not enough, I get the lovely birthday notice each year from my insurance carrier with the 15% premium increases. And on milestone birthdays the premiums go up even more!

To minimize costs, I’ve maxed out the deductible ($5000) and switched to an HSA plan. Tried to switch to a lower-priced carrier but the underwriters don’t like my allergies. Current monthly premium (just me, no preventive care, no maternity, no nuthin’) is $167.

I’d rather build up my HSA for the inevitable health emergency than send it away in premiums every year. Fortunately, other than chronic (and untreated) allergy and sinus issues, I’m a very healthy person. Too bad it’s cost-prohibitive for me to go to the doctor.

Must remain calm – can’t afford a trip to the ER …

]]> By: Foobarista http://allfinancialmatters.com/2006/11/03/question-of-the-day-budgeting-and-healthcare/comment-page-1/#comment-39242 Foobarista Fri, 03 Nov 2006 19:28:43 +0000 http://allthingsfinancialblog.com/2006/11/03/question-of-the-day-budgeting-and-healthcare/#comment-39242 Ours is $30/month, and it recently went down since our company started paying for spouse coverage. We have $10-$15 copays. Our company uses a "we'll pay $X/month for one of several health insurances and you cover any overage" strategy, so I have little doubt it will go up. The $X is calculated to be the cheapest plan in the menu. We use Kaiser, since I hate fiddling with insurance companies and the Kaiser service in our area is quite good. Ours is $30/month, and it recently went down since our company started paying for spouse coverage. We have $10-$15 copays.

Our company uses a “we’ll pay $X/month for one of several health insurances and you cover any overage” strategy, so I have little doubt it will go up. The $X is calculated to be the cheapest plan in the menu.

We use Kaiser, since I hate fiddling with insurance companies and the Kaiser service in our area is quite good.

]]> By: Jeremy http://allfinancialmatters.com/2006/11/03/question-of-the-day-budgeting-and-healthcare/comment-page-1/#comment-39227 Jeremy Fri, 03 Nov 2006 18:34:47 +0000 http://allthingsfinancialblog.com/2006/11/03/question-of-the-day-budgeting-and-healthcare/#comment-39227 Luckily my wife works for a local government agency so our benefit premiums are very low. I think as of the latest enrollment this fall we get health, dental and vision for the two of us right around $35 per pay. It was an increase of about 25% from last year though. Luckily my wife works for a local government agency so our benefit premiums are very low. I think as of the latest enrollment this fall we get health, dental and vision for the two of us right around $35 per pay.

It was an increase of about 25% from last year though.

]]> By: MoneyFwd http://allfinancialmatters.com/2006/11/03/question-of-the-day-budgeting-and-healthcare/comment-page-1/#comment-39222 MoneyFwd Fri, 03 Nov 2006 17:55:39 +0000 http://allthingsfinancialblog.com/2006/11/03/question-of-the-day-budgeting-and-healthcare/#comment-39222 Right now I'm paying $63/paycheck, but I think that's going up to $72. Once I get married we're getting the family plan which will be about $156/paycheck. This doesn't include any dental or vision. I miss California where I paid $10/paycheck for vision, dental, and health. I'm with Single Ma.. what happened to the +1? Although if I had a family of 5, then the family plan would be great, but right now it's hurting. Right now I’m paying $63/paycheck, but I think that’s going up to $72. Once I get married we’re getting the family plan which will be about $156/paycheck. This doesn’t include any dental or vision. I miss California where I paid $10/paycheck for vision, dental, and health.

I’m with Single Ma.. what happened to the +1? Although if I had a family of 5, then the family plan would be great, but right now it’s hurting.

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