health insurance

[frecks]

my husband had a insurance meeting today and its going up $200.00 a month.  i have medicare part A and B i now have blue cross and blue sheild but we cant afford to pay that much more. is anyone on medicare and have medipack? if so what is it? is it through medicare?

[sllowe]

Hey Frecks,

I just don't know enough about this Frecks, I'm sorry, but I know some others will be able to shed some light.  My gosh, what a scary sitch to be in.

Hang in there for a bit, I know some of our versed in Ins. will come to the rescue w/some info.

ttys,
Shell

[frecks]

thanks im worried the meds are so expensive. im canfused when it comes to insurance

[Lulu54]

Hi Frrecks,

I'm sorry that I don't know anything about the insurance, since we still have private insurance.  It has to be so difficult to set aside the financial worries and concentrate on feeling better.  I do know a lot of the DMD companies have programs to assist anyone without insurance.

As for my private insurance cost, my employer just finished the open enrollment for next year and here is what I will be paying for my health insurance - $238.00 a month for me and my spouse. I also have an additional $80.50 I pay a month for dental insurance. That's $318.50 a month for our health insurance.  And my employer pays 84% of my insurance cost - they pay 10% of the cost for my spouse I think.

For that we still have a 90/10% copay for procedures and hospitalizations , for the first $1,000 for each of us (everything over $1,000 is then covered 100%),  and  a $20 office visit fee for all doctor appointments.  

Our prescription plan, depending on the drug, costs $10 for generic, $30 for approved name brand drugs, and $50 for drugs that need special approval.  My heart medicine and my copaxone each cost me $50 a month

I have put together a spread sheet of our medical costs this year anticipating I can take some deductions on our taxes.  I just updated it last night and can tell you we have spent out of pocket on top of the insurance premiums I pay  over $4,400 in medical bills so far this year.  That includes a root canal and my heart attack in January !!

When I add it all up, we have spent out of our own pocket over $8,000 this year on medical care and the insurance costs.  

BUT I do have to  point out that if we paid for all of the care and drugs out of our own money, it would be close to $100,000 if not more in medical costs.  So I guess that $8,000 doesn't look so bad after all.

I hope all of this rambling about costs makes sense and is of help. For our Canadian and UK friends, we pay insurance costs like this instead  of higher tax rates - my husband and I are in the 28% tax bracket.

Lulu

[lbradley35]

Becky,

I can't believe you didn't leave me a message today. I saw your name on the caller ID but it was after 9:00 and know y'all go to be early.
(we're southern so we say y'all)

Look at this Link for Medipak: http://www.arkbluecross.com/Medi-PakChoice/

You know I would have given you this information.

For those reading this email Becky is one of my best friends in Arkansas and we talk everyday if possible. So please everyone send Becky a welcome note...she has lots, and lots, and lots of things to share. I want her to meet everyone on the forum because I tell her every day how wonderful it is and how much I love talking to everyone.

And Becky, I wanted you to know that I met a great new friend on the forum, who lives in AR and she works two blocks over from where I work. We are already planning to a lunch date and I have told her all about you, so maybe we three can get together for lunch real soon. Her name is Deborah so if you receive any notes................. reply to everyone or I will be real mad at you. You know I love ya girl and just want the best for you!
Lori