Anonymous
12/08/2011 21:01
Subject: Want to drop firm's BCBS for independent BCBS policy...am I missing something?
Anonymous wrote:I'll be the voice of dissent. We switched from the health insurance offered by my very large law firm (Cigna, which covers nothing and which has a ridiculous provider network, think like two obs in dc) to a BCBS individual family plan. It has been an excellent option for us - premium for whole family is less than $400 a month (which includes maternity rider) and we save about 5-8K a year compared to the firm plan. Pediatrician well visits are 100% covered, and we can choose any doctor we want, which was very important to us. We're probably screwed if one of us gets cancer - but if one of us gets cancer, we're screwed anyways - over half of all medical banktruptcies involve people who are insured. We are under 40 and so willing to take that risk. The lifetime maximums for our plan versus the firm plan are comparable. I would not automatically dismiss going off the firm insurance as an option - most of the families at my firm have done so (attorneys anyway). Law firm risk pools tend to be relatively small, and abnormally old and sick (no 18 year olds working at law firms) so they may not offer the same risk pooling benefits as large corporations. Plus an as an attorney, you are subsidizing staff rates.
Assuming they honor what is written in the policy.
Anonymous
12/08/2011 19:23
Subject: Want to drop firm's BCBS for independent BCBS policy...am I missing something?
I'll be the voice of dissent. We switched from the health insurance offered by my very large law firm (Cigna, which covers nothing and which has a ridiculous provider network, think like two obs in dc) to a BCBS individual family plan. It has been an excellent option for us - premium for whole family is less than $400 a month (which includes maternity rider) and we save about 5-8K a year compared to the firm plan. Pediatrician well visits are 100% covered, and we can choose any doctor we want, which was very important to us. We're probably screwed if one of us gets cancer - but if one of us gets cancer, we're screwed anyways - over half of all medical banktruptcies involve people who are insured. We are under 40 and so willing to take that risk. The lifetime maximums for our plan versus the firm plan are comparable. I would not automatically dismiss going off the firm insurance as an option - most of the families at my firm have done so (attorneys anyway). Law firm risk pools tend to be relatively small, and abnormally old and sick (no 18 year olds working at law firms) so they may not offer the same risk pooling benefits as large corporations. Plus an as an attorney, you are subsidizing staff rates.
Anonymous
12/08/2011 18:46
Subject: Want to drop firm's BCBS for independent BCBS policy...am I missing something?
OP again. Thanks for all the posts. It is disheartening to hear everyone's bad experiences....I'm sorry you had to go through it. Health care definitely need a massive overhaul. Now I feel fortunate that we have a group plan, and I'll stick with it. But, at some point we may not, so I hope that Americans will have better, more affordable options for the reasons that 10:50 states.
Anonymous
12/08/2011 10:50
Subject: Want to drop firm's BCBS for independent BCBS policy...am I missing something?
^^ (10:34)
THIS. I am glad to see some of these posts, so people on group insurance can see what we self-employed and independent plan holders have to deal with. We pay much more and get way less, and it is ridiculous. We pay our taxes and work for a living just like any other responsible American. Not to mention that these kind of issues with insurance make would-be entrepreneurs stay in full time jobs for benefits instead of striking out on their own or taking risks. Aren't those the kind of small businessmen or women the Republicans claim to support? Lack of affordable health care also makes our existing businesses (both big and small) less competitive in the global marketplace due to the cost of benefits. Congress has NO IDEA what people having to buy their health insurance on the open market have to deal with. They have some of the best health insurance available, and I'm sure they make use of it, considering how many of them are fat and old.
OK, rant over. OP, stick with your group insurance. Believe me, you don't want to have to deal with the BS we deal with unless you have no other choice.
THIS. I am glad to see some of these posts, so people on group insurance can see what we self-employed and independent plan holders have to deal with. We pay much more and get way less, and it is ridiculous. We pay our taxes and work for a living just like any other responsible American. Not to mention that these kind of issues with insurance make would-be entrepreneurs stay in full time jobs for benefits instead of striking out on their own or taking risks. Aren't those the kind of small businessmen or women the Republicans claim to support? Lack of affordable health care also makes our existing businesses (both big and small) less competitive in the global marketplace due to the cost of benefits. Congress has NO IDEA what people having to buy their health insurance on the open market have to deal with. They have some of the best health insurance available, and I'm sure they make use of it, considering how many of them are fat and old.
OK, rant over. OP, stick with your group insurance. Believe me, you don't want to have to deal with the BS we deal with unless you have no other choice.
Anonymous
12/08/2011 10:34
Subject: Want to drop firm's BCBS for independent BCBS policy...am I missing something?
Anyone else wishing we had national health insurance yet?