I am not going to rehash all the trouble I have had the past 9 months with health insurance and my job. If you need a sleep aid feel free to browse my previous posts on the subject. However, I will say that all of this !@#$ with medical insurance is getting really old.
My boss calls me on July 30 (my day off) and tells me that as of July 1 my insurance premiums are going up $300 more each month (to $1,100/month) and asking what I want to do. Seems she has not paid said premiums for July yet even though it is July 30. Nice. Well gee willikers, boss I guess I gotta pay it for July and August at the very least since you are giving me so very much notice to research other options. *No sarcasm here*
I am seriously fit to be tied. Every single time I come up with a little extra money to put toward debt freedom I am thwarted. Absolutely no exaggeration. It is beyond ridiculous at this point.
Anyway, I have talked to an insurance broker and have gotten quotes. The only option that is less expensive is an HMO HSA for $600/month. It will cover only in-network doctors/hospitals with no out-of-network coverage. The family deductible is $5,000 with a max out-of-pocket of $10,000/year. Guess what my $5,000 Emergency Fund is going to be called come September 1st?! *sigh*
I am tired of barely treading water. Someone needs to sue the pants off all the insurance companies so we can get back all those "profits" we pay them only to have them deny coverage of every little thing. *GGRRRRR*
Okay, rant off. Anyone with insight into HSA's please feel free to opine. Thanks!
Health Insurance, the bane of my existence!
August 11th, 2008 at 02:18 am
August 11th, 2008 at 02:43 am 1218422594
Sorry to hear about all your troubles
August 11th, 2008 at 02:50 am 1218423021
August 11th, 2008 at 03:11 am 1218424299
August 11th, 2008 at 03:20 am 1218424829
I think HSA's in other states are much lower in price, but here is good ol' Jersey they are fairly expensive as well.
August 11th, 2008 at 01:55 pm 1218462902
We switched to an HDHP with HSA back in November.
If you go to my blog and type "HSA" in the search bar, you'll pull up several entries I wrote about the process. There is one called "HDHP & HSA Cliff Notes" that may be a good place to start.
One important thing to remember is that the money you put in to your HSA is money you do not have to pay tax on, so $5,000 really won't cost you $5,000 in net pay.
Good luck.
August 11th, 2008 at 02:14 pm 1218464084
August 11th, 2008 at 11:40 pm 1218498022
Thanks for the info! I am reading all your entries now. I appreciate your sharing your experience.