James B asked:
How do you shop for and evaluate medical insurance. I’ve been paying Group Health over $400 per month for a single person and:
Dr visits – not covered
Prescriptions – not covered
Lab tests – not covered
Specialist referrals – not covered
Vision check – not covered
I can’t find anything that IS covered. $430 per month and they charged me $270 to squrit water in my ear to remove ear wax.
have you tried going on line to shop?
It is eztremmly confusing, See how much it would cost for a ppo, (atleast you’ll be able to see a doc). Usually a ppo you only pay 20 for a co-pay.
good luck
James,
What zip code do you live in?
Try eHealth Insurance at:.
I recommend this web site because it does not require you to give up identifying information before you can get a price quote.
If a PPO type plan is good for you, you might be able to pay less for coverage and still have more covered.
From your question, it sounds like you have a group policy that only covers “major medical” (surguery, hospital stay, etc.) care, so I suggest you shop with insurers in your State for the kind of coverage you need. If you only have major medical coverage, it would likely be advantageous for you to pay $500 per month for coverage that meets your needs rather than $430 per month for coverage that still does not meet your needs.
Good luck in your search!
I have a discount medical card that saves up to 80% on Doctor visits, specialists, lab work, vision, chiropractic care, dental, and prescription benefits. There are no ongoing medical conditions that are excluded. I do not pay near as much for these savings. I only pay $40 a month.
please try this help!
$430 a month sounds like a lot, but your price depends on your age, gender, health and location. Often, however with a group policy, younger healthier people pay more than they would have if they purchased a private health insurance policy. Older less healthy people, conversely often pay less.
Here are some tips to help you find a policy:
1 Check with your state’s insurance department for a list of approved companies (see website below for a list of insurance departments).
2 Compare the prices and features of the plans offered by each company.
3 Compare not just the price but also the deductibles, the co-pays, the out-of-pocket maximums, and the network.
4 When in doubt go with a brand name company like Blue Cross.
Make sure that the insurance policy is actually an insurance policy. A discount plan can save you money, but if you get 50% off of a $100,000 hospital bill you can be stuck with a very large bill. Insurance plans typically cap your out-of-pocket expenses. You may wind up paying for a lot of the smaller bills out of your pocket. However most insurance plans, especially the ones approved by your state’s insurance department, will take care of the big stuff very well.
You should check to see if any insurance plan you are considering is approved by your state’s insurance department. Here is a list of insurance departments websites and phone numbers:
Another thing to consider is disability insurance. If you are sick and cannot work for an extended period of time, the doctor’s bills won’t be the only thing you will have to worry about.
You can get a list of companies that offer disability insurance in your area from your state’s insurance department. You can also visit:
Good Luck