Would you stay in a job just bc the health insurance is better than your spouse's?
![[Post New]](/jforum/templates/default/images/icon_minipost_new.gif){kind=icon}
Anonymous
| I've been contemplating taking time off to be SAHM after having my 2nd DC. I don't love what I do, and financially we think we can make it work. The main thing holding me back is health insurance: I have federal BCBS PPO, and the kids are under my plan; DH has Kaiser. If I left my job, the kids and I would have to switch to Kaiser, which means I lose all my doctors and the kids switch pediatricians. I've never been covered under an HMO/Kaiser, and honestly it kind of makes me nervous. Would you keep a job just for the better health insurance? |
Anonymous
| I would quit. |
Anonymous
| Have you priced keeping similar coverage? |
Anonymous
| OP here. Although I haven't checked the price on similar coverage, I think any cost would price us out of me staying at home. DH is totally on board with me SAH, but he said I'd have to get over being nervous about Kaiser. And I agree; it just wouldn't make sense financially for me and the kids to buy our own plan. |
Anonymous
| Can you negotiate going down to part time but maintaining your benefits? If you and your children are healthy and don't have any particular health needs I wouldn't hesitate to make the switch to Kaiser. |
Anonymous
| Stay home. You can always go back later but you can't get that time back with you kids. |
Anonymous
|
OP again. Thanks for all the advice. To PP re: part-time question. I can go part-time, and had always planned to once the kids were in school. Unfortunately, that's still a few years away (at least, full-time school), and I can't do part-time now and make it work financially, b/c we would still need a nanny. I've run the numbers and it just doesn't work.
Does anyone out there have Kaiser? If so, have you been happy with it? I realize this is prob more a question for the health forum, but this is such a cross-over issue with jobs/careers. DH has been with Kaiser for so long, he doesn't remember what it's like to be able to choose/see non-Kaiser doctors. We are all healthy now, but there are always the "what ifs". |
Anonymous
| RE: the Kaiser part of your question - DH and I are both federal and we chose Kaiser. I've had great experiences, though I'm not sure I love our pediatrician and have considered choosing someone else in the group. But when DS was born and had to spend a week in the NICU, then had unrelated need for another issue that could only be taken care of at Childrens Hospital, etc. there were no problems, they were super-well organized and coordinated. I think it's really nice to have everything to go to in one place, but that's me. Thankfully, we've never needed to consult with anyone outside, so I'm not sure how that works (i.e., they've always referred me to specialists that are also Kaiser.) Hope that helps. |
Anonymous
| If u can't afford a nanny if you go part time, doesn't sound like you have much of a financial cushion. I wouldn't give up a federal job in this market. Go part time or stay full time. |
Anonymous
| why don't you get the PPO. How can a fed job so demanding. |
Anonymous
LOVE Kaiser. and I'm "how do I make staying home work" poster, so you can imagine what I think in the matter 
|
Anonymous
It probably becomes less worthwhile |
Anonymous
|
I would not quit.
Signed, SAHM |
Anonymous
|
How old are your kids? Our ped. was more important when the kids were under 5 and got sick more frequently and had more well baby visits. Now at 5 and 7, I wouldn't be too upset if I had to leave our fantastic PPO ped.
I also think it was better to work full time when they were younger and this year I went part-time so I could be there when they get home. |
Anonymous
| Love kaiser, have had it for about 15 years. Switched for one year and then went back. |