Being self employed most of us either have to pay for our own health insurance or do without. I have paid for mine for 10 years and only met my $1000 deductible one time. Thats $45,000 I've paid them and they have maybe covered $3000 overall.
I just received a notice telling me they are raising my premiums from $373 to $447 / month. Thats a 17.5% increase.
I am debating about cancelling my insurance. My thought is that if I pay for my out of pocket expenses like I have been, I will just make payments to the hospital if we ever have a catestrophic bill.
what are your thoughts on insurance?
If you do not have insurance will hospitals not care for you??
Posted by Greg McRoberts (Member # 3501) on :
No insurance, AND you race motorcycles???!!!
A catastrophic fall is only a corner away! I raced dirt bikes in my early years, and I used my insurance more than a few times for that alone.
God, it still hurts thinking of some of the crashes!
Posted by Doug Allan (Member # 2247) on :
I insure myself only for catastrophic expenses, so the rates are pretty low. (as is the coverage)
I did go without for a very long time though, so I don't have the numbers racking up the way you have to make me question that expense.
Posted by Kimberly Zanetti (Member # 2546) on :
Jerry, Better safe than sorry. I have low blood pressure, low cholesterol, I'm thin, good shape...and BOOM...all of a sudden I have heart problems. You never know what is going to rear up and bite you in the butt.
My dad was completely healthy his whole life until the last 3 years and then he was in and out of hospitals constantly. He was able to get his prescriptions through the VA since he was a vet but the hospital stays weren't covered. He was lucky to apply for what they called Charity Care though the local Catholic hospital. You do the application once a year and since by then his income was non-existent, getting covered was fairly easy. At that point, they took care of all the hospital stays and most check-ups.
Health insurance is a HUGE issue for our country (I'm NOT looking to start some politcal thread here). My husband was recently offered a job as an Executive Chef at a very nice Country Club here. It was very tempting to leave Hyatt and the never-ending stress and long hours and instead work someplace easy and comfortable where the quality of life would have been better. Well, guess what? They only have a bare bones health insurance plan. Even though they offered to supplement it for us to get "better" coverage, it still wasn't going to touch what we currently have working for a huge corporation.
My mother and step-father are in the same boat. My mother works for another huge corporation and she can't leave because my step-father is very ill and needs the insurance coverage.
[ November 17, 2004, 01:40 PM: Message edited by: Kimberly Zanetti ]
Posted by Jillbeans (Member # 1912) on :
I had low-income Blue Cross health insurance through the state od PA. With a family of 3 kids and me, my income has never been above $25,000 (after expenses)in a year. It was minimal, no vision no dental but it paid for Dr. visits and prescriptions.
All was fine until last December when I was 5 days late paying my bill due to accounts receiveable deposited-on clients NOT picking up their completed signs.
There is no grace period and it was cancelled. I discovered this AFTER going to the ER in January for chest pains. My bill totalled over $5,000 for them to tell me I had acid reflux. (I had actually pulled a chest muscle)
Luckily I was able to have the hospital take care of the bill after several letters and phone calls. I didn't renew the insurance because it is a pain to do, with a long waiting list. But this year when I renew my younger kid's CHIP insurance, I am gonna re-apply.
Last spring I had several "female" issues, and was able to get 3 months worth of coverage through the breast and cervical cancer study. All is well now.
But is is scary how quickly your health can decline. Look at Kimberly's heart troubles! I agree that our country's health insurance system stinks. Love....Jill
Posted by Curtis hammond (Member # 2170) on :
I am healthy as a race horse.
Then last year had a good dose of reality and spent over $70 grand in just a few weeks. Still spend a couple hundred for tests every few months. Thankfully all is well again.
So, at least catastrophic insurance is a must.
[ November 17, 2004, 02:21 PM: Message edited by: Curtis hammond ]
Posted by John Largent (Member # 4606) on :
If you own much, are over 40, you can't afford to be without it. Don't care how healthy you THINK you are . . . I'm Ten Foot Tall and Bulletproof, till I had a Urinary blockage while driving from Albuquerque to home. Co-pay $100, Insurance paid the other $980 . . . for a quick stop at the Emergeny Room in Las Vegas, NM!
Probably more information than you all needed, but it underlines the need for medical insurance. And I know that we feel it's a rip off, premiums getting higher by the year, but until we can change it, most of us who are self employed need it. 'Specially if you're an old guy like me!
Posted by Checkers (Member # 63) on :
Jerry, You can do like I did. Marry someone with good benefits Seriously though, at the minimum, get the catastrophic coverage like Doug mentioned or raise your prices by 17%. If you do any work for the insurance company, double their prices Just for kicks and giggles, has anyone researched the plans available through USSC or the ISA?
Havin' fun,
Checkers
Posted by Monte Jumper (Member # 1106) on :
Stay insured...but what ever you do don't fall cor Consecos sales pitch of having a lower rate ...we did they raised from 400 to over 700. then told us they were no longer covering Oklahoma...they gave us 3 months to find another policy then raised us to nearly a thousand while they were on their way out (sound ethical?)we were unable to find new insurance because of a pre-existing diagnosis of type 2 diabetes and the least we could find was around 1,500. and they backed out...They effectively rendered me uninsurable...just rolling the dice now til I'm 62 and can obtain medicare(if the government doesn't raise the age)If anyone ever hears about a class action suit against Conseco, let me know I want to sign up.
Posted by Tony Ray Mattingly (Member # 469) on :
Here is a thought,
Everybody contact every sign painter they know that is self employed and pays their own insurance. Once that is done, compile a list and contact several company's and ask for their best deal on a group rate. Kind of like a sign crafter policy. Who knows, If they cut the sign crafting folks a good deal and safe everybody money, Maybe the good folks a Letterville will let them advertise on their site to let people know they are cost friendly to the sign painting profession.
Posted by Jerry VanHorn (Member # 4704) on :
Letterhead Group Insurance!!!
Sign me up
Posted by David Harding (Member # 108) on :
A high deductible catastrophic policy can save you from financial ruin. There was a segment on Nightline or 60 Minutes recently about people without insurance and the problems they faced. Most insurance companies have some negotiated rates with the hospitals. The hospitals charged full retail to those without coverage. Some states allow a hospital to seize your home if you cannot pay. Some of those people in the report had lost their homes as a result of losing their insurance coverage.
Posted by Deb Fowler (Member # 1039) on :
Insurance? not only does Scooter have a wife with insurance, but, she is an awesome person, and lovely! me? I have letterville to check my insanity level and to secure if I am not insane enough, they will help me out, right? A healthy dose of both! as for Jill, I'm glad you got your groove back! and it was only a pulled muscle probably from laughing and the reflux from the Iron Mountain beer, right?
and me too, I just thought about it, between some normal abdominal surgeries and sinus surgery which makes 3 in 3 years, and three whiplashes, (some catscans and mri's),pulled muscles,breathing hassles, woman stuff, dental,in the last five years, my son and I have been covered for over $160,000 in medical. Also, when I was down, I didn't have short or long term coverage so for five years in a row, I've been out of work and down for five months each of each year. Just think about the repercussions of that, and if I would have had another income,but I did not. When I sold my house, it had to go to supporting us for those five months and get re-established in Illinois from the move.
Now, during the daytimes, I happen to have a "real" job, lol, or, well, ah, it is a great source of insurance. I've been with this company for a year, and for about $80 a month, my 16 year old son and I are covered head to toe with security.
We will use it too! With this, we have full dental, doctor visit; hospital; all tests, or surgeries, scans, etc., 24 hour clinics, six free counseling visits a year (without using our benefits), and of course, additional with benefits if needed). This year it will be grief counseling since my son lost his father at Christmas last year); vision; life insurance; short term and long term disability;
It's setup so I can deduct some of my copays off my taxes! The deductibles may range about $900 per year, but, I am including crowns and all copays for office and meds. We rarely use meds in my family, but when we do, it is only $15 copay. Mostly we use the chiropractor and dentist, vision, etc. We have two full workout gyms for our use at anytime, due to conditioning and/or healing from whiplashes.
All of this insurance is the "high" end insurance and my copays are small or nothing on most things. I didn't skimp on my choice and $80 is only a bit more than the lesser priced insurance, so to me it's more than sane to buy this level.
The lesser insurance is about $25 a month for a single person, or $50 for a family. However, with this one, the copays are steeper and choices slimmer. And, you never know when you're going to need it, and dipping into the pocket is no fun. I wouldn't choose this one.
The company's premiums dropped this year for us by at least 20 percent too!!!!!!! Maybe it's because we have a 5 year contract with another mega mogul company so there's more money in the kitty to spread around, and they did just that.
I do love not chasing customers down (which is rare, but not fun when you need to pay bills),and, the money is always there the same time in my direct deposit and I don't even think about it. I have the insurance of a steady income with incentive pay. It covers our everyday needs, and still a little bit to give to those who have had a bad turn of luck,or car emergencies,which we've had more than our share this year. Some bills do wait when that happens, but, I don't worry because I have faith that it's as secure as I can hope for.
Did I mention that the smell of constant fresh air is wonderful again, less fumes and chemicals from paint and thinners? The hours are 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 pm, no weekends, but I receive time and a half and double time when there is any overtime. I continue to inch back into the signs, and every couple months I tear into a mess of projects. The thrill is back as I just needed a change this past year: it's five min from home and I love working with younger people which is mostly that. We laugh half the day since the atmosphere has always been geared toward a lot of games and contests. So, I'm not complaining at all.
I am so thankful for everything, as am so fortunate to have a job like this.
Signs and canvas painting will always be my love, and I get barraged at work to do signs for people too. So, I can bring that along everyday. Art to me is a mental relief and I want it to be a pleasant experience in which I don't work long hours into the night as I somehow managed t do on more occasions than I should have. I know we all have to some point or another, even if we have set hours. But, now, this works for me and my family, as I want to share myself with them moreso than ever.
Besides, signage and work and family, I need to feed the passion inside me that craves music. I rarely get time to get out anymore, and love being home, but next month, my sister, her hubby and my brother surprised me with a night out to see BB King and along with his geetar, "Lucille".
So,you'll find me at the Coronado theatre downtown Rockford making sure the "thrill isn't gone"! Now, if BB kick out the blues in the world!!!! and I can't wait! The last time I watched him perform was the dance he and his band played at my high school prom in 72! It will both skyrocket my blood pressure, or keep it smooth as silk, as it will never be normal again, after that, of course! I bet "Lucille" is BB's insurance to good health, as to how does he do it at his age????!!!!!!! He's amazing.
[ November 18, 2004, 12:25 AM: Message edited by: Deb Fowler ]
Posted by Dave Levesque (Member # 4374) on :
My wife and I had no insurance never thought we needed it never used it, never went to the doctor, if anything figured I may come down with some high cholesterol, seeing how I eat fried chicken and french fries everyday for lunch.
About 3 months ago my wife woke up with double vision, long story short, turns out she has Multiple Sclerosis.
Insurance won't touch her, and Nuerologist won't see her without insurance, not even if you pay up front.
Hospital wrote off all the test and ER visits, but MRI($3000)and Medicine which is $1200 a month is all on us.
From one guy who learned the hard get somthing, I now have one of those low rate, high ded. insurance and we are still looking for ways to pay for my wifes on going care.
It sucks and the insurnce co. hold all the cards but at least if you have the minimum insurance you can upgrade it later if something bad happens.
and hopefully they will pass some legislation to allow large groups to buy with discounts just as if you were in a large company.
Posted by Nancie W. Phillips (Member # 3484) on :
I'm in the same boat...pretty much uninsured presently. My kids are covered by their dad. I noticed that there is some bill pending passing that will allow (or at least make it easier) for professional associations (like us) to get group helth insurance coverage. I saw it on (I think) a link to some professional group from this site. The Association of Graphic Artists or something like that. I believe our present administration wants to help the people gain more control of their own healthcare. I think making health insurance more affordable can only help. Might be a good thing to support.
Posted by dispatch (Member # 1053) on :
at 45 years old and hadn't been to a doctor for anything more than a driving permit physical (always passed) and with low cholesterol, reasonably low blood presure, and no diabetes or other problems to acompany a lot too much weight, (that WAS something), why spend 100's on nothing.
I got hit almost overnite with heart problems. Weight blew out to 650 (yup 650) pounds in a few weeks.
And I didn't have insurance. Fortunately I found a temporry policy (6 month) followed by an HMO that accepted the then pre-existing condition, followed by a PPO that I got in a normal GROUP rates for a small business under a Maryland law that requires sole proprietors to get access to same rates as small groups, and open enrollment periods.
Almost died in that month I spent in the hospital. That was the start of a 2 year tour in and out of 6 hospitals and finished with 90 days in a coma and several months in a nursing home for rehab.
The first hospital stay was $90K+ plus a lot of little bits and pieces on the way. Total all together probably tops 300K.
Last two years have been uneventful, thankyou will I drop my insurance ???
Renewal bill is $460 and it is the FIRST bill I pay each month.
Posted by John Meeks (Member # 5081) on :
I got screwed a couple of years ago by Conseco too! They pulled out of S.C. with 90 days notice. I now have a small business Blue Cross/Blue Shield group policy now - no test, covers pre-existing conditions. After having my second kid spend 10 days in the NICU unit right after birth - $80k+ - I'm glad as he__ I had 'surance. Check into national small business associations - they offer low price group policies. A signman's group policy sounds like a good idea - lets do it. Good luck. John M.
Posted by Camille Norvaisas (Member # 501) on :
I have an individual plan with Keystone. It covers doc visits, hosp visits and specialists. No dental, eye or prescription. It's $240 a month. Their # is 800-464-5437 if you want to check them out - website is www.ibx.com. Posted by Jerry VanHorn (Member # 4704) on :
Camille, do you know what kind of deductible you have? that sounds a lot more fair than my policy.
Posted by Belinda Palmer (Member # 4628) on :
letterhead insurance? Why not That would be one more reason to pay our "taxes" and this is a really important issue.
Posted by Bob Bond (Member # 26) on :
We’ve been checking into forming a group or association of self-employed people for just this purpose for quite some time now. We have a follow-up meeting on Saturday morning to see what the next step is and exactly what kind of policies and premiums would be available to us.
We do know that there would need to be a formal group/association and the name registered is “The International Artisans Association.” Anyone self-employed would be able to join this group.
We are somewhat familiar with this type of group health insurance b/c when we lived in Calif. We actually joined a brick layer and mason union for just this purpose. An agency had put this together and unfortunately it did not extend to the Midwest. We have been kicking it around ever since.
The folks we are meeting with now say that this could be extended worldwide. This is sounding good so far and could save us all a chunk of money on premiums and health care. Jen & I are currently paying $1240 a month and at what point do I say, “I can’t afford it anymore?” So we are very serious about this and would like to see a group policy that will accept pre-existing conditions. We are told that if the group is large enough that this is possible and we believe it is if you combine, sign shops, custom painters, pinstripers, graphic artists, web designers, body shops…the list could go on and on. We’ll keep you updated.
Posted by Gene Golden (Member # 3934) on :
Chambers of Commerce sometime have access to discounted insurance rates. Our local Chamber claimed to have access to great rates, but over $650 a month doesn't seem like a bargain to me.
Posted by old paint (Member # 549) on :
iam 59 and just got all my paperwork ready to apply to VA. ONLY HEALTHCARE i can get....now if i can get to see a doctor within 6 months....after i apply...it will be good...
Posted by KARYN BUSH (Member # 1948) on :
i ended up going to the emergency room with weird pains in my upper abdomen...i have insurance thru my hubby(thank god)well they hooked me up to an iv...with lovely painkillers thank you and did a bunch of tests, ultrasound and wanted to put me in a room for observation. i was like, no i just want to go home since i wasn't feeling any pain at that point...so they released me(suprisingly)with a script for vicodine, as i drove myself home high on demeral... a few days later i got a bill for over $2300 for that little 6 hr visit! i swear they got my insurance card and went ka-ching ka-ching. my co pay was $25. makes you wonder if i didn't have insurance would they have even put me in a room...let alone want me to stay longer.
Posted by Mark Sheflo (Member # 3608) on :
Just got from getting all kinds of insurance for our newer business.
Went to a good broker who deals mostly with contractors. He found us a plan that covers myself, wife and twins pretty reasonalbly. Had to join a statewide business association for $75, but it got us rates of $525/mo with a $750 deductible. This isn't a standard catastrophic plan in that the first 6 office visits per person/per year are just a $25 co-pay. This is not Regence/Lifewise or any of the normal major players.
I personally have yet come close to hitting a deductible yet, even when it was only $250 per year. I figure that if I need more than $750 of care, I will need WAY more, so the $750 sounds cheap.
The birth of our twins was the only reason that we have ever really gotten use out of insurance beyond the deductible. A $3200 bill of which we paid $500 at the time. Makes all those years of paying almost worth it!
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