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I have been getting my health insurance through my wife's work. Last week, she was informed that there had been a drastic drop in enrollment in the Christian school she has worked at for several years and they had combined some classes and eliminated her job. The good part is that she is now working with me full time and when she isnt destroying instruments, she is helping me out a lot by doing a lot of sanding and shop cleaning. This speeds me up exponentially!

Of course we can continue the insurance with COBRA, but this is costing us $902.00 per month and will only last for 18 months or less. This leaves us in a pickle over what to do about health insurance. I have looked at several plans on the net, and even checked out the plan that Billy Mays has been hawking on the television, but I havent come up with an affordable plan that actually covers anything yet.

Do any of you know of a health insurance plan for luthiers? Is there an affordable plan for self employed people that I am not aware of (group plan)?

Any information would be most appreciated!

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Reguards,

Ken H

I just went thru the cobra thing myself and then it finally ran out so I had to buy personal insurance. It is very expensive as you know. The best you can do I think is just to shop around and what you get will probably not be what you had for the money. Also plan on spending some time shopping for meds. My wife needs some fairly expensive meds on a continual basis and we found that Wal-mart was the way to go in many cases.
Best of luck to ya.

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Tickle your guitar daily, and it'll tickle you back.

Ken buddy actually the subject of health insurance is not off-topic when it comes to lutherie because it is a huge problem for many of us who either have or wish to hang out our shingle. Thanks for bringing this up.

Also without any desire here to get into the realm of politics this November 4th the issue of health care for all, or most is an issue that is on the ballot here in the states in one candidate does have a promise and a plan. I am not advocating any candidate in my post here but it is also impossible for me to address your question and the great concern that both you and I and many other OLFers share without at least mentioning that health care reform is on the table in the next election that is just a few months off.

As some of you know health insurance has been hugely important to me personally and as I exhausted COBRA too and am to young for Medicare my only option is a private plan from one of rotten companies that offer same. I looked into it for months, received many quotations and investigated the companies offering plans.

At the end of the day what I determined is that they all suck unless you go with a major provider and pay through the nose for a plan that only has very limited coverage compared to what most of us are accustomed to when we were part of an employer group plan. Some of the quotes that I received were for over $2K per month ad did NOT cover everything.......

Do check out Humana and get a quote - they seem to be offering some value but are still very expensive and your part of the tab will still be pretty high.

So at the end of the day be sure to vote your conscience and since you are in Florida will you guys break down and get a calculator this time.... Heck I will even send you one if you want.....

Walmart is a fantastic place to get prescriptions and that is where mine come from now. They have over 400 commonly prescribed drugs on a $4.00 prescription list. Consult with your docs, tell them if you do not have coverage as I told mine and they will often get out the Walmart list (they all have it) and pick substitute prescriptions for you that are on the list. I did exactly this and it dropped my meds bill from $300+ a month to $12.00!!!!

Think twice when you are about to do something that could injure you and start living your life like you are a package of eggs from the grocery store......

Lastly consider becoming a Canadian....... Or move to the UK, or France or, or, or......... Many of these countries do provide exceptional, civilized coverage for all.

I will second that.

I get in a boat load of trouble for making a funny with a bible quote and this hardly gets noticed. While I do feel for Ken's situation, this has quickly (subtly) turned to politics. Can't we just not go there?

Ken, do you have an engineering degree? Join IEEE. They have benefits like that (group insurance). Possibly similar such stuff for other large trade groups.

Mike

Careful please

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JJ
Napa, CA
http://www.DonohueGuitars.com

I don't get it. Really.

I'm also very thankful that I'm on the public plan. Its not perfect, there is no perfect, but I wouldn't trade it.

Good luck Ken! I also hope that you and your wife can make the new work situation viable for yourselves.

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Expectation is the source of all misery; comparison the thief of joy.
http://redrivercanoe.ca/

Please...before this continues to get deeper into the political realm, can we please limit the responses to tangible ways in which one can procure health care under the system. Comparing one country's system over another really doesn't help Ken or anyone else.

Let's answer the specific question and get off the soap box.

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JJ
Napa, CA
http://www.DonohueGuitars.com

If I ever am able to quit the day job (just got a new one which seems a lot cooler!) I plan to go on the Starbucks plan. Health care for even part timers and free horsepower! Plus there is like 10 I could walk to from my house.

I was uninsured for a long time and I was lucky that I had good health and no accidents even though my lifestyle was the opposite of what it should have been during that time. I hope it all works out Ken.

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Burton
http://www.legeytinstruments.com
Brookline, MA.

Todd's succinct comment is painfully correct. If you want a major medical policy, then there are no great deals to be had by a self-employed person. Beware of the National Association of the Self-Employed and similar groups that claim to offer insurance, but are really marketing what amounts to limited discount coupons. Having recently spent an enormous amount of time researching Medicare policies for my wife, I found that the AARP policies were the most clearly presented and as fairly priced as the best. In some states, the AARP is now sponsoring major medical policies for individuals 50 and over, and that is where I would look first if they covered in my state. Here is the link to these policies: http://www.aarphealthcare.com/prodsvcs/ ... /home.aspx. I am curious to know what they cost...

At age 58, my individual Blue Cross policy in Oregon now costs me about $4800 a year with a $2000 deductible. Going to huge deductibles ($5000, $10,000 or greater) is the only way to save a lot of money with these plans. Before my wife went on Medicare, we were paying about twice that for the two of us. How does that compare to other self-employed folks out there? Medicare is only a good deal by comparison or if you take limited coverage, as it costs us about $2900 for one person.

Brook

Mike, I didn't get either, that was until I googled it, I still don't see the political connection, but hey! I'm not very hip on all that stuff anyways. What is does appear to be is a comment that is not very helpful. Ken is asking for advise in finding health insurance for the self employed. I'm sure he knows its not going to be free, and he didn't need Todd to tell him that.

To echo JJ, lets try to answer Kens question and stay on topic...

Thanks All!

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Support the OLF! Bookmark our STEWMAC link Today!
Lance@LuthiersForum.com

Ken, You might check out groups like this one-Medi-Share. The school where my wife works has been having some problems also. Hope things work out for both of you,

Mark

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Wisdom is justified by her children

I can see how sensitive the topic is, but I do want to affirm that I was not soapboxing.

I still have no idea what all those letters mean...

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Expectation is the source of all misery; comparison the thief of joy.
http://redrivercanoe.ca/

Douglas, it just occurred to me the political connection, Duh! Man I am slow some times!

Yeah, I have never heard that saying either until now, it means "No Such Thing as a free Lunch". Again, Duh! I'm sure that Ken is fully aware of this....

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Support the OLF! Bookmark our STEWMAC link Today!
Lance@LuthiersForum.com

Ken,
Here's my experience. You know I had a major health issue in 2006 and nearly lost my company and everything. Here is what I learned.

-Under no circumstance do not let your insurance coverage lapse. Many insurance companies look for insurability and near the top of their list in determining this 'insurability' is whether or not you are already insured, or to be more specific, have maintained previous coverage. Those two criterion are different. Seems to make them think you might be healthier, when in fact all they are interested in is making sure the previous provider payed to take care of you...not them.

-If your Cobra runs out the current provider is legally bound to offer you continued coverage. However they are NOT legally bound to NOT charge you out the '_ss'.

-Currently BCBS of Florida is offering Ala Carte plans/coverage for folks like yourself and me. Please learn to think a little outside the box because plans that are paid for by individuals are different animals when compared to plans paid for and maintained by 'groups'....such as the one your wife was in.

We are currently switching to a major medical only policy with an HSA. This way I DON'T have to pay an insurance company $900 dollars a month for...
-me to see a family physician once a year ($35 dollars)
-little christopher to see a family physician twice a year when he gets a cold at school
and needs a little attention ($100 dollars after visits and meds)
-for a doctor to tell me my wife is crazy.....

-Look for generic drug alternatives. This a good thing from two major perspectives. They are cheap, thereby keeping the total cost of your plan down (assuming you can choose to NOT have prescription coverage)....AND.....generally speaking generics are safer (proven). I only have to refer to the high number of new drugs in the last 5 years that have been 'discovered' to have really nasty side effects.

-If you buy a Major Medical only policy make sure there is a provision to pay for the Emergency Room Visit if the visit results in admission to the hospital. Some plans will just simply have the ER exclusion clause REGARDLESS of whether or not you are admitted.


Chris

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There is no difference between the man that thinks he can....and the man that thinks he cannot.

This discussion only will strike some as political if they choose to see it that way. Thicken up. You know we have taken some hits here in terms of losing valuable members possibly because people have gotten all.... emo. If I can suck it up some of you guys can too. Be a man (or woman) and build a stinkin wall.....

The question is what does an independent Luthier do to secure health care when they are not eligible for a group/employer plan.

Lance will have to speak for himself here but I recall Lance reiterating that the "main discussion" forum is where we may discuss all things Lutherie AND pertaining to the Lutherie experience. Health care for Luthiers is very much part of this experience as is business structure, marketing, taxes, supply-chain, and on and on. In fact, for some, health care may be the single largest expense that the independent luthier must bear.....

If the mention that a possible change in how health care is offered in the US is offensive then we are not considering all possibilities and being overly sensitive. I endorsed no political candidate and never even mentioned any either. My intent was simply to point out that this is a timely issue that is currently in the national dialog.

My post did include useful information that I have researched to death...... including a company to call for a quotation. I believe that this is being helpful and I also believe that being helpful is something that some of you know me to be at times.......

Thanks.

This is sad news. I'm not sure about Florida, but many states manage their own health plans. In my experience these offer very limited coverage, are fairly expensive and have high deductibles. However, they do offer protection against financial ruin in the case of severe injury or a serious illness. The recommendations of checking with AARP and any professional organizations you may be eligible to join are excellent ideas. You might also try Costco. I don't know how their plans stack up, but that's another option you might consider.

There is one thing I will add that is VERY IMPORTANT and that others have not noted above. If at all possible DO NOT choose to go without some form of coverage. Insurance companies see any lapse in coverage as a red flag and this will typically trigger a variety of penalties, such as significantly higher premiums, longer pre-existing condition clauses, etc.--even outright rejection of your application.

There is one other thing which probably won't be applicable but may be good to know in the long run. If the company your wife worked for happens to go out of business before your COBRA is exhausted, your previous insurer may be legally obligated to let you re-join your old plan. The premium will likely change, but the coverage would be wider than that offered by the individual plans discussed above.

I've been through this a few times myself and am sorry that you are facing this scenario. I wish you the best of luck.

George

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George :-)

I was trying to be low key. I thought it was obvious that I was refering to Hesh's (I appreciate you Hesh!! Please don't get upset with me!) endoresment of a certain politcal candidate.

As it turns out, I agree with Hesh... McCain has a great plan... but this is not the place to discuss it.

Mike

OK, back to the main point. So AARP offers Medical Insurance? I thought they only offered life insurance. What kind of plans? They should have enormous leverage with the size of their group, although the risk is higher with higher age (implying higer cost).

More info on this would be appreciated.

Mike

Mikey bro I would never be upset with you but I did NOT endorse any political candidate.....

Even though you did...... I can live with it and think that it's more important that folks like Ken and I and more get some answers here that might help us the next time we cut off something.......

As for AARP - I use my AARP card to squeegee Z-Poxy finishing resin and it works great......

You saying AARP insurance sucks?

Mike

Sorry, I don't have any answers that don't involve politics.

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Horton, MI

I have been self employed now for nearly 15 years. I have been through, at least, 5 different insurance companies. Every one was fine for a few years, but then the premiums escalate significantly. Finally, a few years ago, I signed up for a HSA and a Major Medical policy. Can't say it really does anything, except let me pay all of my medical expenses in pre-taxes money. It does not cover much, and I even had to accept a rider on my Asthma related stuff. However, even paying full price for my meds (about $200/month), and doing my once a year doc visits, I still save in the neighborhood of 300 to 400 per month based on the escalation rates of my other policies. Now, if you go to the doctor a lot, probably not a good investment. I only go if I'm going to die soon if I don't.

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Waddy

Photobucket Build Album Library

Sound Clips of most of my guitars

Waddy,

How much can you put into your HSA?

Mike

No - I am just still mad at them for sending me my card, unsolicited...., on my 50th birthday....... Might as well have sent me a box of Depends........

They do that to everybody. (the card, not the Depends).

But just think how much shop work you could get done if your wore Depends!!

Mike