Guest guest Posted July 12, 2006 Report Share Posted July 12, 2006 Good morning, I am changing jobs to one where I will be providing my own benefits. Although I'm raw and haven't been to a doctor in several years the rest of my family still requires doctor visits occaisionally. I was wondering if anyone here on this list can recommend a health insurance (I know that's not what they do, but that's what they're called) provider that they've had good experience with. Ideally I would like it to be one that provides an incentive for staying healthy. I'm imagining a group plan that offers health screenings, diet and fitness guidance could offer discounts for maintaining good health. Am I dreaming? Any guidance would be appreciated. Thanks. Nick Hein Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 12, 2006 Report Share Posted July 12, 2006 Yep, Nick dream on. We have been self-employed for over 20 years and before we cared about our health we found nothing affordable. However, you are not in Washington and that is a good thing. You might have an outside chance of finding something affordable. Washington is known as a very tough state when it comes to health insurance. I used to call about these great rates I would find and when they asked where we lived it was " well, you're in Washington those rates don't apply........... " Last time we had insurance, 5 years ago, we were paying over $400 a month for virtually nothing. $2500 deductible. We had it mainly for emergency room care for our very active children, (broken thumb snowboarding, lacerated eye from soccer). I broke my arm skiing, went to the emergency room and the doctor said to come to the outpatient clinic the next day. Followed his directions. Insurance didn't pay because it was no longer considered an emergency when I left the er!!! That is what made us cancel the insurance. So let's see if I saved $400 a month in a bank account I'd have $4800 a year. Do you incur that amount of medical bills in a year? I hope not. That would have even paid for my broken arm! Plus, Joe and I decided a long time ago we are 99% sure we would not do what the medical community wanted if we were to be diagnosed with cancer or some other lifestyle related disease. Heart attack? I doubt it. Car accident? The other guy better have insurance, if not we have car insurance that pays medical. Shari Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 12, 2006 Report Share Posted July 12, 2006 Another point about health insurance: If you take your kids to a regular doc and they are found to have a serious condition, you may find it difficult to extract yourself from the system and seek alternative treatment. We saw this with the mom who was jailed here recently when she tried to avoid surgery for her son's kidney condition, even though she found doctors who were willing to support her position. Physicians are legally obligated to administer treatment in accordance with the " standard of care, " and if you don't go along with it they can and will use the State to take your child from you. So instead of getting sucked into the system, pay cash to a naturopath or other alternative provider if care is needed. And make sure ahead of time that in the case of something serious, you will be allowed to make the decisions about your child's treatment. Mark _____ RawSeattle [RawSeattle ] On Behalf Of SV Wednesday, July 12, 2006 8:43 AM RawSeattle Re: [RawSeattle] insurance Yep, Nick dream on. We have been self-employed for over 20 years and before we cared about our health we found nothing affordable. However, you are not in Washington and that is a good thing. You might have an outside chance of finding something affordable. Washington is known as a very tough state when it comes to health insurance. I used to call about these great rates I would find and when they asked where we lived it was " well, you're in Washington those rates don't apply........... " Last time we had insurance, 5 years ago, we were paying over $400 a month for virtually nothing. $2500 deductible. We had it mainly for emergency room care for our very active children, (broken thumb snowboarding, lacerated eye from soccer). I broke my arm skiing, went to the emergency room and the doctor said to come to the outpatient clinic the next day. Followed his directions. Insurance didn't pay because it was no longer considered an emergency when I left the er!!! That is what made us cancel the insurance. So let's see if I saved $400 a month in a bank account I'd have $4800 a year. Do you incur that amount of medical bills in a year? I hope not. That would have even paid for my broken arm! Plus, Joe and I decided a long time ago we are 99% sure we would not do what the medical community wanted if we were to be diagnosed with cancer or some other lifestyle related disease. Heart attack? I doubt it. Car accident? The other guy better have insurance, if not we have car insurance that pays medical. Shari Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 12, 2006 Report Share Posted July 12, 2006 Yes, very good point, Mark! Nora - Mark Hovila RawSeattle Wednesday, July 12, 2006 10:22 AM RE: [RawSeattle] insurance Another point about health insurance: If you take your kids to a regular doc and they are found to have a serious condition, you may find it difficult to extract yourself from the system and seek alternative treatment. We saw this with the mom who was jailed here recently when she tried to avoid surgery for her son's kidney condition, even though she found doctors who were willing to support her position. Physicians are legally obligated to administer treatment in accordance with the " standard of care, " and if you don't go along with it they can and will use the State to take your child from you. So instead of getting sucked into the system, pay cash to a naturopath or other alternative provider if care is needed. And make sure ahead of time that in the case of something serious, you will be allowed to make the decisions about your child's treatment. Mark _____ RawSeattle [RawSeattle ] On Behalf Of SV Wednesday, July 12, 2006 8:43 AM RawSeattle Re: [RawSeattle] insurance Yep, Nick dream on. We have been self-employed for over 20 years and before we cared about our health we found nothing affordable. However, you are not in Washington and that is a good thing. You might have an outside chance of finding something affordable. Washington is known as a very tough state when it comes to health insurance. I used to call about these great rates I would find and when they asked where we lived it was " well, you're in Washington those rates don't apply........... " Last time we had insurance, 5 years ago, we were paying over $400 a month for virtually nothing. $2500 deductible. We had it mainly for emergency room care for our very active children, (broken thumb snowboarding, lacerated eye from soccer). I broke my arm skiing, went to the emergency room and the doctor said to come to the outpatient clinic the next day. Followed his directions. Insurance didn't pay because it was no longer considered an emergency when I left the er!!! That is what made us cancel the insurance. So let's see if I saved $400 a month in a bank account I'd have $4800 a year. Do you incur that amount of medical bills in a year? I hope not. That would have even paid for my broken arm! Plus, Joe and I decided a long time ago we are 99% sure we would not do what the medical community wanted if we were to be diagnosed with cancer or some other lifestyle related disease. Heart attack? I doubt it. Car accident? The other guy better have insurance, if not we have car insurance that pays medical. Shari Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 13, 2006 Report Share Posted July 13, 2006 Basically, you will have to research out the different companies online to see what they charge and what they promote in a healthy lifestyle. (Or go around and ask people who are always sick who their insurance company is and how they like it.) I have never had my own health insurance as an adult and have paid cash for any treatment. The health insurance company most known is Blue Cross Blue Shield, and they promote walking to stay healthy. http://www.bcbs.com/ Ron RawSeattle , " Nick Hein " <nick.hein wrote: > > Good morning, > I was wondering if anyone here on this list can recommend a health insurance. Any guidance would be appreciated. > > Thanks. > Nick Hein Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 13, 2006 Report Share Posted July 13, 2006 Good evening, Thanks for your replies on health insurance. Most of them have said to do without, except for major medical. Because of how much I'll be making that isn't really an option - in the view of others involved in this decision. I still would appreciate any information or guidance anyone can provide - my goal (dream) is a company (or group) that will provide diet and fitness guidelines to stay healthy and a risk group made up entirely of folks who follow the guidance so I'm not paying for people who make themselves sick. Thanks again. Nick Hein Morgantown, WV - Ron Koenig RawSeattle Wednesday, July 12, 2006 7:29 PM [RawSeattle] Re: insurance Basically, you will have to research out the different companies online to see what they charge and what they promote in a healthy lifestyle. (Or go around and ask people who are always sick who their insurance company is and how they like it.) I have never had my own health insurance as an adult and have paid cash for any treatment. The health insurance company most known is Blue Cross Blue Shield, and they promote walking to stay healthy. http://www.bcbs.com/ Ron RawSeattle , " Nick Hein " <nick.hein wrote: > > Good morning, > I was wondering if anyone here on this list can recommend a health insurance. Any guidance would be appreciated. > > Thanks. > Nick Hein Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 13, 2006 Report Share Posted July 13, 2006 Nick, I pay $130 a month from Group Health. My deductible is $5000. I decided this was better because I never use them (I think $2500 ded. requires something around $200). Just hanging onto it in case of a major accident or something like that. However, after reading the post from Shari, I am considering just going w/my car medical ins. in case of an accident for her same reasons. This is the dues for non-smokers. And yes, they do have plans in place to help w/diet, healthy lifestyles, etc. I have been a member for 30 yrs. and have been very happy. But, have found I still need to be up on the medical research to " guide " my physicians. Suzanne Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 13, 2006 Report Share Posted July 13, 2006 Nick, Regence (Blue Shield) covers alternative health care and offer a catastrophic plan (a few years ago it had been $85/month for me). Even that plan adds up to a lot of money for " just in case " coverage, but does offer some comfort for disasters. As Shari mentioned, in the case of car accidents, insurance usually has coverage. I don't suppose there is bicycler's insurance? Jeff Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 18, 2006 Report Share Posted July 18, 2006 For anyone who's interested we ended up getting insurance through United American http://www.unitedamerican.com/ They are one of the only places that has agents in WV besides Blue Cross. Their coverage has caps, but for anyone who takes good care of themselves there will be no need to exceed them. If anyone has any info on them (good or bad) please let me know as we have 30 days to cancel it if things don't work out. I was encouraged by the fact that it is endorsed by Paul Harvey. I kinda like that guy. Nick Hein Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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