(no subject)
i do not currently have health insurance.
i haven't had insurance for much of my adult life. when i worked for the state of texas i had insurance but, honestly, it was crap. at the job i just left, i had seriously amazing insurance. it is the main reason i stayed so long. i now work for an org that can't pay for my health insurance but is giving me $150/month toward health insurance/care.
thus began my research journey to find decent individual health insurance. it's been interesting and not just a little disheartening. individual health insurance isn't meant to keep you healthy. it's not preventative in nature. the high copay, deductibles and coinsurance mean you only use it when you absolutely have to. it means you wait longer than you probably should before seeking help. i've also heard that insurance companies constantly challenge individuals in a way they don't to people with group insurance
fortunately, i've found what i think is a good solution. Qliance specializes in primary/preventative/wellness care. they work outside of the health insurance system entirely because, according to their site and other studies i've looked at, over 40% of primary care costs go to insurance billing/reimbursement. because they don't accept insurance, their operating costs are substantially lower. as a qliance patient, i will pay (based on my age and the services i want) $59-79/month. basically i will have access to unlimited really good preventative/urgent/primary care with same day services. there are no charges anytime i go in aside from the monthly fee. they cover some xrays or charge at cost. same with prescriptions. doctor visits aren't rushed (30-60 minutes every visit). if i'm hospitalized, they send a representative to the hospital to help with the planning and make sure my physician knows what is going on. here's a link to the site: \http://www.qliance.com/index.html. this type of medical service is also known as conceirge medical and is used by wealthier people in addition to their insurance.
in addition to the qliance service, i will get high deductible insurance so i'm covered in the case of a serious emergency. i will probably find something in the $100/month range. that means i will pay about $180/month for health of which i will be reimbursed $150/month. i like that i will have unlimited access to primary/preventative care at a location very convenient to me.
if i just opted to get individual health insurance for $180/month i would get something along the lines of $30 office visit and 30% coinsurance with a $1500 deductible or 20% office visit after the $1750 deductible is met and a 20% coinsurance fee. bleh. i would also always wonder and be confused over what is covered or not covered. not to mention i'd really love 40% of my money not going to an insurance company.
thoughts?
i haven't had insurance for much of my adult life. when i worked for the state of texas i had insurance but, honestly, it was crap. at the job i just left, i had seriously amazing insurance. it is the main reason i stayed so long. i now work for an org that can't pay for my health insurance but is giving me $150/month toward health insurance/care.
thus began my research journey to find decent individual health insurance. it's been interesting and not just a little disheartening. individual health insurance isn't meant to keep you healthy. it's not preventative in nature. the high copay, deductibles and coinsurance mean you only use it when you absolutely have to. it means you wait longer than you probably should before seeking help. i've also heard that insurance companies constantly challenge individuals in a way they don't to people with group insurance
fortunately, i've found what i think is a good solution. Qliance specializes in primary/preventative/wellness care. they work outside of the health insurance system entirely because, according to their site and other studies i've looked at, over 40% of primary care costs go to insurance billing/reimbursement. because they don't accept insurance, their operating costs are substantially lower. as a qliance patient, i will pay (based on my age and the services i want) $59-79/month. basically i will have access to unlimited really good preventative/urgent/primary care with same day services. there are no charges anytime i go in aside from the monthly fee. they cover some xrays or charge at cost. same with prescriptions. doctor visits aren't rushed (30-60 minutes every visit). if i'm hospitalized, they send a representative to the hospital to help with the planning and make sure my physician knows what is going on. here's a link to the site: \http://www.qliance.com/index.html. this type of medical service is also known as conceirge medical and is used by wealthier people in addition to their insurance.
in addition to the qliance service, i will get high deductible insurance so i'm covered in the case of a serious emergency. i will probably find something in the $100/month range. that means i will pay about $180/month for health of which i will be reimbursed $150/month. i like that i will have unlimited access to primary/preventative care at a location very convenient to me.
if i just opted to get individual health insurance for $180/month i would get something along the lines of $30 office visit and 30% coinsurance with a $1500 deductible or 20% office visit after the $1750 deductible is met and a 20% coinsurance fee. bleh. i would also always wonder and be confused over what is covered or not covered. not to mention i'd really love 40% of my money not going to an insurance company.
thoughts?