Health Insurance for the Unemployed

[lehighguy]

So now that I'm playing poker for a living, how do I go about getting health insurance. I'll be living in PA, but I'm gonna keep my Jersey address.

Should I go to a private company, is there a government program? What should I expect to pay?

[DcifrThs]

[ QUOTE ]
So now that I'm playing poker for a living, how do I go about getting health insurance. I'll be living in PA, but I'm gonna keep my Jersey address.

Should I go to a private company, is there a government program? What should I expect to pay?

[/ QUOTE ]

ur not unemployed, you're SELF employed

[lehighguy]

Well, whatever. I still want to do the proper thing and get health insurance.

[TStoneMBD]

i dont know too much ont he subject but i think the best method to getting insurance is to just go through a company online and buy catastrophic insurance. it only covers hospital bills of like 25k and up. there are probably different plans you can get depending upon how much risk youre willing to take. basically if you think you could only afford to lose 15k to an accident then you can pay more for better insurance then catastrophic. catastrophic insurance for me comes to slightly over $100/m. getting full coverage insurance is pretty much a waste of money according to most people. its cheaper to just pay all the medical bills yourself. you can look at insurance from a gambling perspective, because thats what it is. you should bet against the insurance companies when you can properly bankroll the risk. any bets you make against buying insurance are +ev.

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
ur not unemployed, you're SELF employed

[/ QUOTE ]Well, whatever. I still want to do the proper thing and get health insurance.

[/ QUOTE ]

There is a difference in the distinction. I do not know the details, but your options for coverage will be different if you represent yourself as indigent/unemployed vs self-employed. As always, honesty is the best policy.

Did you quit your job already? Not to pick on you, but this is something that you should have planned before you quit. You may be able to continue your coverage from work through COBRA, google it for more info.

Sorry I can't give you more info. Best of luck in your pro career.

[lehighguy]

I'll take my chances for the next few weeks until I get it set up. How long will my employer cover me if I only worked like 2.5 months.

This morning was the morning. If not this morning, I'd be trapped for life.

Edit: I looked up COBRA, I'll probably apply tommorrow. Today I'm celebrating.

i was quoted around 200 dollars a month with no deductable, and x many visits a year
it was as low as 98 a month with a 2g dedutable
im 25 dont smoke, and dont vist the hospital very much, so the later seemed more viable to me

[highlife]

yes CORBA is by far your best option right now. use it until it runs out.

[DcifrThs]

[ QUOTE ]
Well, whatever. I still want to do the proper thing and get health insurance.

[/ QUOTE ]

what im saying is health insurance can be purchased on the open market from insurance companies. blue cross blue shield is a good one.

being self employed means you pay fully for it. usually if you work for a firm that offers health insurance and you take it up, you pay a premium that is many many multiples less than what you'll be paying now.

it might be as high as 400/month or even more depending on your overall health.

Barron

[Oblivious]

ehealthinsurance.com

[MicroBob]

congrats on leaving the gig.
I assume there is a pretty legnthy chat with the parents coming up but there's no point in harping on that. Enjoy your celebration and good luck in your new 'career'.


i have blue cross blue shield and I pay $85/mth for some high-deductable stuff.

I'm 35 and don't smoke and have no other health problems.

They sent me the stuff in the mail with all the different rates.
I don't even pay the cheapest. I could pay just $50/mth or so for an even higher deductable.
And obviously it would be even cheaper than that if I was younger than 35.


There are plenty of other places out there too of course.

I see no reason why a healthy 22-year-old, non-smoking male should pay $200/mth or more. You probably don't need THAT much coverage.

[Zetack]

[ QUOTE ]
I see no reason why a healthy 22-year-old, non-smoking male should pay $200/mth or more. You probably don't need THAT much coverage.

[/ QUOTE ]

Unless you play GoblinMason (Craig) and try to steal his blind. He goan cut you.

linky (http://forumserver.twoplustwo.com/showthreaded.php?Cat=0&Number=4035223&page=0)


--Zetack

[Soul Rebel]

Thanks for the link, that's helpful. I have to take care of this as well.

[ZeeJustin]

I'm also in the same boat, looking for health insurance.

Question: With and without health insurance, how much wouldthe follow things cost (rough estimates with a 50% margin of error will do fine, im clueless atm)
1. Going to doctor for regular checkup
2. Going to doctor for ear infection ro something that is routine and results in being perscribed some pills
3. Basic broken arm
4. Seeing a specialist, say an eye doctor or chiropracter (i assume this amount will vary greatly)

-Thanks for the help
-ZJ

I pay 93$/mo for Lifewise health insurance and I chain smoke.

[ActionBob]

Your employer should offer you COBRA coverage which you can generally get for 18 months (although I don't know if theres any regulations since you were at your job for such a short time). Check with the company's HR department, I'm sure they can get you the info.

As for your address, I'm not an insurance expert and I don't have any exact information but NJ has some high health insurance rates. I'd at least look into the possibility of changing your residency as it might make a big difference if you go on your own to get insurance.

ActionBob

[lehighguy]

Hundreds of dollars.

[ZeeJustin]

[ QUOTE ]
Hundreds of dollars.

[/ QUOTE ]

Even for just a checkup!?

Consider all of your options. Something like a Medical IRA may be perfect for your (and a lot of other players) situation(s).

[GoblinMason (Craig)]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
I see no reason why a healthy 22-year-old, non-smoking male should pay $200/mth or more. You probably don't need THAT much coverage.

[/ QUOTE ]

Unless you play GoblinMason (Craig) and try to steal his blind. He goan cut you.

linky (http://forumserver.twoplustwo.com/showthreaded.php?Cat=0&Number=4035223&page=0)


--Zetack

[/ QUOTE ]

No, I'm getting a real job now, and will cut myself after a couple months of it.

[Zetack]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
I see no reason why a healthy 22-year-old, non-smoking male should pay $200/mth or more. You probably don't need THAT much coverage.

[/ QUOTE ]

Unless you play GoblinMason (Craig) and try to steal his blind. He goan cut you.

linky (http://forumserver.twoplustwo.com/showthreaded.php?Cat=0&Number=4035223&page=0)


--Zetack

[/ QUOTE ]

No, I'm getting a real job now, and will cut myself after a couple months of it.

[/ QUOTE ]


Excellent! With the threat of physcial violence gone, your blinds are mine! Once I accumulate enough blinds Pinky, I'm gonna rule the WORLD!!! Mwhahahahahahahahahaha!

--Zetack