health insurance

[Bradley]

I am a licensed NJ optician working for an ophthalmologist who does not provide any health insurance, only the opportunity to buy into a plan at group rates. This translates into a $700+ monthly expense to cover my wife and myself. How does this arrangement compare with that of other posters?

[gilweber]

I am a licensed NJ optician working for an ophthalmologist who does not provide any health insurance, only the opportunity to buy into a plan at group rates. This translates into a $700+ monthly expense to cover my wife and myself. How does this arrangement compare with that of other posters?

Depends on (partial list):

1) age (yours for certain; spouse's possibly)
2) health history (yours for certain; spouse's possibly)
3) medications you take
4) type of plan (HMO? PPO? EPO? Indemnity? other?)
5) copayments
6) deductibles
7) maximum yearly out of pocket limit
8) includes dental benefit?
9) includes pharmaceutical benefit?
10) includes maternity benefit?
11) size of group
12) more, more, more

Whatever it costs through the practice's healthplan it's going to be less than you would have to pay if you were to self-insure.

Be happy you're not in Florida. I am self-employed. When wife and I moved here in 98 our health insurance cost $380/month. Each year the renewal premium has gone up. Last month my premium was more than doubled -- to over $1600/month (same company).

Unaffordable. Outrageous. Reality.
Gil Weber, MBA