Good independent health insurance plan in California?

[imported_Tomato]

Since we might be laid off soon, we've been advised to look for other options in terms of independent health care. Is Blue Cross/Blue Shield good?

 

[jadinolf]

I'm sure that Blue Cross is good.

 

[imported_Tomato]

I'm leaning towards their HMO plan, it's about $150/month.

 

[pulse8]

I used to have HealthNET and they were good as well.

 

[JulesMaximus]

So, you're going to spend $1800/yr for healthcare coverage? Are you in good health? Figure even if you need to see a doctor you could always pay for a doctor's visit if you had to see one. That would cost at most a couple hundred dollars.

I'd just take the chance and not engage in any risky behavior like mountain climbing or skydiving or other extreme sports.

 

[ReiAyanami]

i got blue cross for $38 a month student plan

 

[ggavinmoss]

I have the Blue Cross PPO -- I like it.

-geoff

 

[Darthvoy]

Originally posted by: ReiAyanami
i got blue cross for $38 a month student plan

please do tell how I can get the same rate. I am also a student and need a health plan

 

[SchrodingersDog]

Originally posted by: JulesMaximus
So, you're going to spend $1800/yr for healthcare coverage? Are you in good health? Figure even if you need to see a doctor you could always pay for a doctor's visit if you had to see one. That would cost at most a couple hundred dollars.

I'd just take the chance and not engage in any risky behavior like mountain climbing or skydiving or other extreme sports.

My friend tried this plan and this winter he slipped outside his house and twisted his ankle. A couple of surgeries and a bunch of screws later he's in debt $30,000. Insurance is just that, not to cover the regular doctor visits, but so that you're protected in case you get hit by lightning and don't want to pay for it the rest of your life. Peace of mind is worth a few hundred bucks a month.

 

[HamSupLo]

when you get laid off, you can continue your health coverage through COBRA. i'm paying like 160 something for Kaiser and that's with no deductible but a 25 copay for each visit

 

[Rumpltzer]

I recently switched jobs, and was reminded that I'd have the option to take on COBRA if I wouldn't be immediately employed. I guess it's set up so you can continue to get the group benefit rate on the insurance you presently have at your workplace for a few months.

Also, I quit my job at the beginning of January. My insurance lasts until the end of the month even though I've not paid into it for the entire month. Nifty, huh?


As others have said, you're young. Do you really need insurance during the gap while you're looking for a job?

If you're thinking maybe something might come up, I know that a lot of insurance plans allow you to buy into the plan retroactively for some amount of time after your insurance expires. You might look into that before buying into something else.

Good luck.

 

[Martin]

Get Tonik- its the health plan for young, active, hip hipsters.

EXTREEMEEEE!!!

 

[imported_Tomato]

Originally posted by: HamSupLo
when you get laid off, you can continue your health coverage through COBRA. i'm paying like 160 something for Kaiser and that's with no deductible but a 25 copay for each visit

The COBRA option our company gave us is $260/month for the Pacificare HMO, even more for Kaiser...

 

[JulesMaximus]

Originally posted by: SchrodingersDog

Originally posted by: JulesMaximus
So, you're going to spend $1800/yr for healthcare coverage? Are you in good health? Figure even if you need to see a doctor you could always pay for a doctor's visit if you had to see one. That would cost at most a couple hundred dollars.

I'd just take the chance and not engage in any risky behavior like mountain climbing or skydiving or other extreme sports.

My friend tried this plan and this winter he slipped outside his house and twisted his ankle. A couple of surgeries and a bunch of screws later he's in debt $30,000. Insurance is just that, not to cover the regular doctor visits, but so that you're protected in case you get hit by lightning and don't want to pay for it the rest of your life. Peace of mind is worth a few hundred bucks a month.

Well, that's the chance you take I guess. I was out of work a couple years ago and COBRA would have cost me over $600/mo for myself, my wife and my son. I chose to cover my son for $150/mo. and my wife and I went without for about 6 months until my insurance kicked in at my new job. I had to go to the doctor once during that time but that cost me around $80. That saved me $2600.

YMMV

Edit-Why would your friend need surgery and screws put in for a twisted ankle? Sounds more like bad break to me.