Comments on: Health Care Costs Increase While Our Income Goes Down

By: Ben

Ben — Sat, 11 Aug 2007 15:56:43 +0000

Okay, I’m an idiot. I need to pay better attention to small print. It turns out that these rates are per pay period. Since I get paid every two weeks I’ll actually be paying $175 a month, yikes!

Velvet, I’ve heard of insurance companies charging higher rates for people with certain health problem indicators. I don’t think our insurance company is doing this but it seems more are moving in that direction.

By: Velvet Jones

Velvet Jones — Sat, 11 Aug 2007 14:18:11 +0000

While you pay less than some, I can appreciate that for your situation and lifestyle it's a considerable jump. The thing that actually surprised me a little bit was the six-tier system used by your employer. They are really trying to spread the costs out, which is one of the reasons you are really feeling it. The most I've seen is a four-tier (employee only, employee + spouse, employee + 1 child, family). But as I'm sure you know, the higher insurance costs get for the employer, they more ways they are going to try to find a way to share the costs with the employee. On top of that, one company is tacking on surcharges for employees that have a BMI over 30, smoke, have high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and high blood sugar. Between $5 and $10 per "violation", per paycheck. I agree with you, the next administration must address access to health care in this country.

By: bill

bill — Wed, 01 Aug 2007 16:02:16 +0000

I currently pay over $300.00 a month just for me alone. The policy I have has a $2500 deductible and a 20% copay up to $10,000. I shopped around recently and this seem to be inline with other offers I’ve received. If you’re paying less that $100 a month for you and your family, you ought to be thankful.

By: Ben

Ben — Wed, 01 Aug 2007 12:26:13 +0000

I agree with all of you, the new rate isn’t bad compared to a lot of other plans available. Of course, to a cheap guy like me, any increase in insurance rates peturbs me.

Angie, I agree. Depending on employers to provide health insurance is turning out to be a problematic model. I wonder what the politicians will come up with to replace it.

By: Angie Hartford

Angie Hartford — Wed, 01 Aug 2007 03:33:33 +0000

There is something very odd about a society that relies on employers to provide health insurance for the majority of its members. I very much hope that we will be able to all have reasonably-priced health insurance within the near future.

By: One Frugal Girl

One Frugal Girl — Wed, 01 Aug 2007 02:49:16 +0000

Oh you should feel thankful for $87.50. I pay $230+ just for my husband and I. Add in Dental coverage and you’re looking at $260+ a month.

By: Brip Blap

Brip Blap — Wed, 01 Aug 2007 01:37:59 +0000

I pay $400 per month for family coverage. The pro: I’m a consultant, so frankly having any sort of coverage is nice. Another pro: it covers everything. The con: $400 per month is a lot of money.

I think actually I’d be happier paying more if I didn’t have to get it through a company. If you told me I could do the same thing that I do for insurance – shop around for the best price for similar coverage – I’d be happy to. I don’t see any reason people shouldn’t be able to get health insurance the same way they get car insurance. There just needs to be some way to allow health to play into it so that if you’re healthy you can get better rates, while at the same time preventing people who are sick from being too harshly penalized.

At the rate this country is going you’re going to be lucky to HAVE health insurance. Something dramatic is going to have to happen soon.

By: David

David — Tue, 31 Jul 2007 15:46:28 +0000

That is not too bad, really. We pay over $250 a month to cover both of us with a high deductible.