Member Comments are provided by individuals and reflect their personal opinions only. Under NO circumstances should you act on any advice or opinion posted in this forum. ALWAYS check with your personal physician before taking any action regarding your health! MedHelp International and our partners, sponsors and affiliates have no obligation to monitor any comments posted on this site, or the content and/or accuracy of such exchanges. MedHelp International does not endorse the views of any user.
Health Insurance (Expert Forum)
Changing health insurance
Answered by
Amir Mostafaie - health insurance, insurance
eHealthInsurance
Gold River - CA
This forum is for questions and support regarding health insurance issues such as Medicare, Medicaid, Long-term health insurance, COBRA, insurance portability.
Changing health insurance
by giraffe7983, Aug 28, 2009 05:35PM
I'm in my early 30's and I'm changing health insurance companies. I currently pay annually, but would like to switch to a monthly plan.
I am in good health and take no prescriptions.
One plan has a $900 deductible and costs $75 per month. It offers generic prescriptions. It's through blue cross.
The other plan has a $2,500 deductible and costs $61 per month. It's through Allied Blue shield.
I don't take prescriptions, but what if I need to in 10 to 20 years? At the same time, I don't want to waste money on a low deductible, prescription plan when I'm in generally good health and have no need for prescriptions.
I read advice from Suze Orman and she said to choose a high deductible plan, one that you can afford, if you're in good health.
Any advice? Thank you for your help.
I am in good health and take no prescriptions.
One plan has a $900 deductible and costs $75 per month. It offers generic prescriptions. It's through blue cross.
The other plan has a $2,500 deductible and costs $61 per month. It's through Allied Blue shield.
I don't take prescriptions, but what if I need to in 10 to 20 years? At the same time, I don't want to waste money on a low deductible, prescription plan when I'm in generally good health and have no need for prescriptions.
I read advice from Suze Orman and she said to choose a high deductible plan, one that you can afford, if you're in good health.
Any advice? Thank you for your help.
Doctor's Answer
by Amir Mostafaie, Aug 28, 2009 06:28PM
, Aug 28, 2009 06:28PMTo: giraffe7983
Dear giraffe7983,
On your profile you have stated that you reside in CA and even though I am very familiar with all CA plans (including those offered by Anthem Blue Cross of CA & Blue Shield of CA) ; I don’t know of any plans offered by Blue Cross that has a $900 deductible. So I won’t be able to comment on the specific plans, however generally speaking going with a higher deductible when you are young & healthy is not a bad idea. Most financial advisors including Suze Orman recommend that because most young & health individuals don’t have high enough claims to justify the high cost of plans with lower deductibles. For instance if you can save $500 worth of premiums annually & go with a plan with a $1000 higher deductible, you are only risking an additional $500 and that is only if you do get sick & have claims.
As for prescription medication, there are 1000s of drugs that don’t come in generic form which makes the plans without brand name inadequate to some extend; but over the recent years many pharmaceutical companies have supplied patients (who are in need of brand name medications but don’t have any coverage) with the medications they need, at no/low cost.
Your best bet is to talk to a licensed agent that works with multiple insurance companies so you can receive a non-biased advice on the type of plan that is best for you. You can get free quotes through the link on this very page (ehealthinsurance.com) & call a licensed agent if you have any questions.
Sincerely,
Amir Mostafaie
On your profile you have stated that you reside in CA and even though I am very familiar with all CA plans (including those offered by Anthem Blue Cross of CA & Blue Shield of CA) ; I don’t know of any plans offered by Blue Cross that has a $900 deductible. So I won’t be able to comment on the specific plans, however generally speaking going with a higher deductible when you are young & healthy is not a bad idea. Most financial advisors including Suze Orman recommend that because most young & health individuals don’t have high enough claims to justify the high cost of plans with lower deductibles. For instance if you can save $500 worth of premiums annually & go with a plan with a $1000 higher deductible, you are only risking an additional $500 and that is only if you do get sick & have claims.
As for prescription medication, there are 1000s of drugs that don’t come in generic form which makes the plans without brand name inadequate to some extend; but over the recent years many pharmaceutical companies have supplied patients (who are in need of brand name medications but don’t have any coverage) with the medications they need, at no/low cost.
Your best bet is to talk to a licensed agent that works with multiple insurance companies so you can receive a non-biased advice on the type of plan that is best for you. You can get free quotes through the link on this very page (ehealthinsurance.com) & call a licensed agent if you have any questions.
Sincerely,
Amir Mostafaie
Recent Videos
RSS
Expert Activity
