I wonder if this whole health insurance thing would be less of a trial if they called it something warm and fuzzy, like "flying squirrel", or "sugar glider." Or "hippopotamus." Or maybe "basking shark." COBRA is just so off-putting. You know, I've really never liked snakes.
My previous employer offered pretty good medical coverage, for a small company. Our employee contribution toward the premium had crept up over the last several years, as had the deductible, and the stop-loss limit, but no worse than anywhere else, probably.
Now that I've joined the ranks of the disabled and unemployed, continuing this coverage would cost me $1200/month. My disability benefit is 60% of what I used to make (100% taxable), and if I were to pay $1200/month for insurance, there would not be a great deal left. If I were laid off I would be eligible for a subsidy, but no luck if you're disabled.
Lucky for me, Washington state has a high-risk insurance pool for people who can't get coverage elsewise. The premium for the basic plan for people my age is -- get this -- around $1200/month. For about half that, they offer a high-deductible plan that doesn't cover much, but would keep me out of debtor's prison if I get hit by a truck.
It's not like I don't have choices. I have choices. I just don't like any of them.
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Hello world!
10 months ago
Zoom - One thing I never understood was Medicare for those on SSDI. When Skip (my wife) was approved for SSDI, the waiting period for Medicare was 2 years. So, you've already met the eligibility criteria and Social Security knows you're disabled, but they won't include medical coverage for 2 years? Makes no sense. So, you'll need coverage for a while yet ...
ReplyDeleteAny chance of being covered under Scarecrow's insurance (she asks, knowing it's none of her business)?
Cranky - Crazy about the waiting period for Medicare, isn't it? And even if you can afford COBRA, an employer is only required to offer it for 18 months, which is going to leave at least a six month gap in coverage for people that nobody really wants to insure. Am I missing something here?
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately, Scarecrow works for a tiny company -- like about six people. He has coverage for himself, and is lucky to have it!