Health insurance at small non-profit
July 1, 2019 10:54 PM   Subscribe

My job transitioned from a municipal position with benefits to a small non-profit where they are not required to offer health insurance based on law. At the same time my husband’s position lost funding and he’s looking for a job. I can’t afford to pay health insurance either in the marketplace or temporarily through COBRA for my family if I stay at this job. My family includes three people including a small child and a person with a chronic illness that requires medication, fairly frequent labs and fairly frequent MD appts. Help me persuade my boss that it is worth it to pay at least part of my health insurance.

Location: USA, NY
Boss: independently wealthy and is one of those people who “never gets sick”
Coworkers: both have insurance through their spouses.
Me: actively looking for a job and have a lead but don’t want to put all eggs in one basket.
Husband: actively looking for a job

I know one should never consider oneself as irreplaceable but it would be hard for them to replace me and I do have at least one unique skill set.

Help me figure out how to persuade my boss.
posted by anonymous to Work & Money (9 answers total) 1 user marked this as a favorite
 
I'm wondering if you would more luck advocating for a cafeteria plan where all employees (not just you) can get tax-free money to spend a wide range of expenses that wouldn't otherwise be covered.
posted by metahawk at 11:13 PM on July 1, 2019 [2 favorites]


I wonder if it could help to bring him the actual figures of how much it would cost to pay privately for a comparable healthcare plan to what you used to have, and explain that you have effectively been given a serious pay cut. If the company prefers not to provide health care, then you're going to need a raise just to get back to the compensation level you were at before.
posted by trig at 1:08 AM on July 2, 2019 [22 favorites]


If you had health insurance before, and now you don't and have to pay for it out of pocket, then you have taken a pay cut. I would show your boss the numbers.
posted by DarlingBri at 2:01 AM on July 2, 2019 [13 favorites]


Ultimately, as you seem to already understand, the conversation has to be a version of “as much as I like it here, I can’t afford to stay unless you will help me meet my family’s needs.”
posted by snuffleupagus at 5:07 AM on July 2, 2019 [11 favorites]


I hate ultimatums but this is an instance where you would have to follow through anyway, so I'd lay all those cards on the table with the boss: You provide health insurance, or I have to look for a new job and I hope I'll have your support. I really like it here and I wish I could stay. No health insurance offered at this job means that you will have a very hard time replacing me, so it is probably more cost-effective to offer me health insurance than lose me and have to hire someone else.
posted by juniperesque at 6:53 AM on July 2, 2019 [2 favorites]


With your lower family income would you qualify for ACA subsidies? You might. You have had a circumstance that deprives your family of insurance, so you should be able to purchase ACA insurance, even though it's not the "open enrollment" period. The family income limits are more reasonable than you might think. You could check on the ACA website, or, better yet, contact a nonprofit in your location that has an ACA navigator. They are free to use.


Don't make the mistake of buying a non-ACA compliant policy! My daughter nearly made that mistake - they tease people with low rates and smooth talk, but they exclude nearly everything you need insurance to do. This is not insurance, but a technically legal scam that leaves people with crushing medical debt. Brokers prey on people in situations like yours.


If this won't work out for you, I would concur with posters above that this is a situation where you will probably have to walk.
posted by citygirl at 7:19 AM on July 2, 2019 [2 favorites]


If you are in the NYC area, and are considering ACA plans, I strongly recommend reaching out to the Community Service Society, which has the largest network of health care navigators. These navigators are available to EVERYONE... you don't have to be low income. My partner and I used them twice when our work situations were changing. And they can let you know if you'd be eligible for subsidies.

But yes, I agree with others about needing to just lay this out to your boss. But as a career non-profit person, don't be surprised if he says no (and then promptly hires your replacement at a higher pay rate). People are stupid in our sector.
posted by kimdog at 8:27 AM on July 2, 2019


When I lost my job early this year I was able to get on state Medicaid (in MN). If your income has taken a real hit this year, then you might qualify. It's also possible for your kid to qualify and not you, which would at least take some of the pressure off.

If you do end up on a state assistance plan then you might also be able to qualify for WIC for your kid, if they are under 5.
posted by cabingirl at 10:16 AM on July 2, 2019 [1 favorite]


cabingirl is right about possible qualification for Medicaid. Even if the adults are not, your child might be eligible. You don't need to seek out this information from other sources - the navigator will know this, too. Medicaid is state-based, so it's important you seek advice in NY. They are not only salespeople for ACA plans but experts in public insurance, and are incredibly helpful. Best of luck to you and your family.
posted by citygirl at 3:08 PM on July 2, 2019


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