TVCH FORUMS HOME . JOIN . FAN CLUBS . DONATE . CONTACT . CHAT  
                  Quick Links   TOPICS . TREE-VIEW . SEARCH . HELP! . NEWS . PROFILE
Archive through June 30, 2009

Reality TVClubHouse Discussions: General Discussions ARCHIVES: 2009 - 2: Health Insurance: Archive through June 30, 2009 users admin

Author Message
Julieboo
Member

02-05-2002

Monday, June 29, 2009 - 7:09 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Julieboo a private message Print Post    
Anyone know a decent (also cheap) health insurance our family could get?

My dh got laid off a month ago and his former company found some type of loophole, so they no longer need to abide by ARRA (with the cheaper COBRA). So we lose our insurance in like 48 hours. They only recently informed us of this!

Anyways, so we are looking for something "independent." I'm sure it varies state to state, but any suggestions would be appreciated.

Ophiliasgrandma
Member

09-04-2001

Monday, June 29, 2009 - 7:34 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Ophiliasgrandma a private message Print Post    
Does your state have any plans? Oregon has a pretty good one.

Karuuna
Board Administrator

08-31-2000

Monday, June 29, 2009 - 7:40 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Karuuna a private message Print Post    
I have Assurant Health (the Time insurance company). They have pretty decent prices for the first year or two for independent insurance.

Taysmomcj
Member

03-24-2008

Monday, June 29, 2009 - 7:48 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Taysmomcj a private message Print Post    
Julie, Is his company still offering health coverage to their other employees, have over than 20 employees?? I'm just asking becuase I work for an employee benefit firm in PA. And unless the company is no longer in business, no longer covering even their current employees, or they have fewer than 20 employees and no longer are required to offer COBRA, there is really no way that they can get out of the rules for ARRA.

Health Insurance is very expensive no matter how you look at it. I really feel bad for you that this is happening. Hope you can find something that will work for you.

Kitt
Member

09-06-2000

Monday, June 29, 2009 - 8:18 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Kitt a private message Print Post    
Do either of you belong to any organisations, like for engineers, something like that? Some of them offer insurance at group rates, which will have better rates than private insurance you can get alone. Are either of you over 50? The AARP can also get you group rates.

When my dh's job had lay-offs their HR person worked with an insurance broker and got everyone connected, can you dh's insurance do the same?

Sorry you're in that situation because I know it sucks.

Julieboo
Member

02-05-2002

Monday, June 29, 2009 - 10:12 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Julieboo a private message Print Post    
Tays, the loophole has something to do with the company being "self-funded"?? (Does that make sense??) Yes, his co still has over 20 employees and is still in business.

Kitt, we're both a ways from 50. So that wouldn't help for many years.

OG, we sent in our info to our state and they just sent a letter today stating they had our info and would mail back a decision.. No phone number or email so we are at their mercy for now.

We'll do something (unless we hear of something better soon) called celtic care. Hopefully for only a month til the state insurance kicks in (assuming it will.) It should cover us for something major.

There's 3 options:
1. $238 a mo. /5K deductible / $30 office visit / 20% coinsurance (whatever that means.)
2. $400 a mo. /5K ded. / $15 office visit / 0% coinsurance
3. $363 a mo. /1.5K ded. / $30 office visit / 20% coinsurance

What a headache and what stress. We still have not had so much as one stinking interview. And when we called our mortgage guy, all he had to offer was to tell us about what happens in a foreclosure, gee thanks!!

Julieboo
Member

02-05-2002

Monday, June 29, 2009 - 10:14 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Julieboo a private message Print Post    
Karuuna, I will look into Assurant. Thanks!!

Taysmomcj
Member

03-24-2008

Monday, June 29, 2009 - 10:25 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Taysmomcj a private message Print Post    
Julie, I'm checking on the rules for 'self funded' insurance for you. Also, the 20% coinsurance means that if you have lab tests done the insurance company will pay 80% and you are responsible for the other 20% just as an example.

I will come back when I have another answer for you.

Texannie
Member

07-16-2001

Monday, June 29, 2009 - 10:40 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Texannie a private message Print Post    
Julie, Starbucks has great insurance and it's a great place to work for a mom. You only have to work 20 hours a week for full medical, dental, vision, 401K and stock options! I went to work there when my dh had his own company and our insurance premiums were going up sky high. You can work the 20 hours any way you want. I went to work early (4:30 am) and dh got the kids off to school. I was off work by 10, 11 at the latests. I could take a nap and then still have time to get stuff done before the kids were home from school. Another mom I worked with worked 3 days a week only (8 hours/day).

Julieboo
Member

02-05-2002

Monday, June 29, 2009 - 10:45 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Julieboo a private message Print Post    
Annie, I've heard starbucks isn't doing that anymore... Are you sure they are?

Julieboo
Member

02-05-2002

Monday, June 29, 2009 - 10:48 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Julieboo a private message Print Post    
Just called. They still do the ins. at 20 hours, but are on a hiring freeze. But I will call others in the area... Thanks! That might be a very good tip. Also, do you know how long it takes before you get the ins. benefits?

Tishala
Member

08-01-2000

Monday, June 29, 2009 - 10:59 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Tishala a private message Print Post    
Julie, around here Ralph's does the 20 hr/wk insurance thing too. In your area, I think Ralph's is Kroger, but they might have different rules.

Taysmomcj
Member

03-24-2008

Monday, June 29, 2009 - 11:03 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Taysmomcj a private message Print Post    
Julie, I spoke with our Client Services manager. She advised me to see what kind of notification you received from his company. ARRA is for those workers who were involuntarily terminated from employment. So it would not apply, say if your husband quit instead of being laid off. If you have it in writing that they are not going to cover you, I would call the Department of Labor. The ARRA is a Federal Law and does not change from state to state. We have several 'self funded' clients, and the same rules apply to them that do companies who are not. From what we understand of the law in dealing with our clients, they can not deny you COBRA. Maybe your local State Rep can help you get pointed in the right direction as well, if you want to fight it.

Texannie
Member

07-16-2001

Monday, June 29, 2009 - 11:27 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Texannie a private message Print Post    
Julie, each Starbucks hires independantly.

Julieboo
Member

02-05-2002

Monday, June 29, 2009 - 2:07 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Julieboo a private message Print Post    
Taysmom, he was laid off (not voluntarily). One might call it downsizing. He was notified about the downsize in Feb. Last day was in April and we had health coverage continued through his work for $400 a month. Then they changed to a self-funding plan starting in July so if we want coverage continued it’s $1,450 a month. They let us know in writing maybe 2 weeks ago.

Does that sound like something that is not legal? Does it matter if the company is not for profit?

Julieboo
Member

02-05-2002

Monday, June 29, 2009 - 2:19 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Julieboo a private message Print Post    
Here's most of the letter we got:

"As of July 1, 2009, for both the medical and dental plans, we will be moving from the current insured plan to a self-funded plan administered by Benefit Administration Services (BAS). Depending of the period of continuation coverage that remains available to you, your continuation coverage will continue under the self-funded plan for the remainder of the applicable continuation coverage period, and for so long as you continue to timely play the applicable premiums. Please note that because the plans are church plans and after the change will be self funded (and no longer insured through an insurance company), the COBRA subsidy provisions recently enacted under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 are inapplicable."

Julieboo
Member

02-05-2002

Monday, June 29, 2009 - 2:21 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Julieboo a private message Print Post    
I believe the "church plans" they refer to is because the company he worked for is religion based, but still a business. They run many retirement communities.

Taysmomcj
Member

03-24-2008

Monday, June 29, 2009 - 2:27 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Taysmomcj a private message Print Post    
I will check for you...I'll get back to you tomorrow.

Julieboo
Member

02-05-2002

Monday, June 29, 2009 - 2:29 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Julieboo a private message Print Post    
Thanks Tays!! That really is so very nice of you!

Julieboo
Member

02-05-2002

Monday, June 29, 2009 - 3:34 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Julieboo a private message Print Post    
Tish, thanks for that tip too. But the nearest Krogers is at least an hour away... (We're Jewel (and a little bit Dominick's) in this neck of the woods!)

Taysmomcj
Member

03-24-2008

Tuesday, June 30, 2009 - 4:58 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Taysmomcj a private message Print Post    
Here is what I found out. Churches and Religous Organizations do not have to abide by the COBRA laws and are not required to even offer COBRA. So unfortunately, they are in the right. It bites. Sorry I didn't have better news, Julie. Hope you are able to find something that will work for you.

Julieboo
Member

02-05-2002

Tuesday, June 30, 2009 - 5:40 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Julieboo a private message Print Post    
Thanks for double checking for us Tays! I just don't get how they did offer us the ARRA discounted Cobra for a few months then stop.

It also stinks that it is a business just like any other. It has marketing and accounting and all the other departments and it makes money. A lunchroom and receptionist... It's not like it was a place where people donated time or just did good work for others. Something that you might think a church/religious organization might do...

Taysmomcj
Member

03-24-2008

Tuesday, June 30, 2009 - 5:43 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Taysmomcj a private message Print Post    
I totally get what you are saying. I don't agree with it, but it's the way it works.

Jimmer
Moderator

08-30-2000

Tuesday, June 30, 2009 - 6:25 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Jimmer a private message Print Post    
It's hard to understand how a church based business would not legally (much less morally) be required to give their employees the same benefits that any similar business would. After all, they are paying them.

Taysmomcj
Member

03-24-2008

Tuesday, June 30, 2009 - 6:29 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Taysmomcj a private message Print Post    
ITA Jimmer. But it all falls back on the 'separation of Church and State'. Churches and Religious Organizations are off limits. I used to work for a church and they didn't have to pay half of the taxes a normal business would. Not even unemployment.