Living in NYC, what are my health insurance options right now?
July 15, 2013 7:24 AM   Subscribe

I am newly graduated, living in NYC, and wondering what my options are for health insurance. My school offers a continuation plan, but the price seems outrageous.

I have seen previous threads that answer this question, but they are at least 6 years old, and I'm wondering if the Affordable Care Act makes any difference today, or if there are other options I should look into.

I will be freelancing as a web developer for an undetermined amount of time.

Note: I am familiar with Freelancer's Union, but as of now I do not meet their requirements (I have not worked for 8 weeks in a row.)
posted by helios410 to Work & Money (15 answers total) 4 users marked this as a favorite
 
Can you share any details on the plan offered by your school? It would help to know what your definition of "outrageous" is.
posted by alms at 7:27 AM on July 15, 2013


Is coverage under one of your parents' plans an option?
posted by Aizkolari at 7:33 AM on July 15, 2013


Do you know about Healthy NY? If you qualify, you can get a plan w/ prescription drug coverage for around $400/mo. I doubt you'll find anything cheaper without qualifying for medicaid.

The ACA hasn't quite taken enough effect to help you - it looks like the NY insurance exchange won't be up and running until October. Until then, the only way to take advantage of the ACA right now is to be on your parents' insurance (assuming you're under 26).
posted by Ragged Richard at 7:40 AM on July 15, 2013


Response by poster: @alms - $4000 for a 6 month continuation of the current plan.

I am older than 26, so the parent option doesn't work for me.
posted by helios410 at 8:02 AM on July 15, 2013


$700/mo is expensive, but not outrageous, depending on the coverage you're getting. Less expensive options will probably have significantly higher deductibles and include no provisions for out-of-network care.
posted by aparrish at 8:54 AM on July 15, 2013 [1 favorite]


If you are willing to go "off the grid" a bit - there is a doctor named David Oreswho does not take insurance - he has a sliding scale instead. I've not used him for medical care, but used to live by him and I know an actor who used his services - he's quite good, if a bit intense in his opinions about insurance being evil.
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 9:07 AM on July 15, 2013 [2 favorites]


FWIW, sign up for insurance under the Affordable Care Act doesn't start until October 1. https://www.healthcare.gov/ has all the details. I know that doesn't help you for right now, but you might be able to get some details which would help you in a few months.
posted by 3fluffies at 9:14 AM on July 15, 2013


Check out the insurance options from the Freelancer's Union -- they have a range of options that might work for you.
posted by This_Will_Be_Good at 9:29 AM on July 15, 2013


Call around to the top insurance companies and see if you can get a quote.

If you only need catastrophic coverage, and feel that your regular needs can be met with Minute Clinic and Planned Parenthood, then a High Deductible Health Plan with a Health Savings Account may make more sense for you.

Look into EmpireBlue (Blue Cross-Blue Shield)

If you are chronically ill, or need to stay with a specific doctor, then look into an HMO, like EmblemHealth (I guess they used to be HIP).

Here's a broker who may be able to let you compare plans.

You'll never be sorry you shopped around for this.
posted by Ruthless Bunny at 9:37 AM on July 15, 2013


I have Empire and they just sent me a notice stating that my plan was grandfathered and not covered by the affordable care act. X:-(
posted by brujita at 9:57 AM on July 15, 2013


My similar situation left me with a gap between employer coverage from the job that ended, and next Jan 1 when I can sign up through an ACA exchange if I have no new employer option. My solution was the only affordable one I could find: Assurant insurance.

Assurant is cheap, like $100/mo. It's a stopgap high deductible plan. A catastrophic plan. You can only sign up for up to six months at a time, or any number or days less than that. If you pay up front they discount the total. You are not covered outside the US. You can keep renewing it, but if you actually use the insurance, they won't let you renew when the time comes. Kinda brilliant from a business standpoint, kinda shitty from every other perspective. But it's what I have until Dec 31, FWIW.

I'm holding out hope that the ACA will actually have decent prices for healthcare we can actually use, perhaps sub $400/mo. As I understand it, we should all find out the real cost on Oct 1.
posted by AnOrigamiLife at 10:28 AM on July 15, 2013 [3 favorites]


Do you know about Healthy NY? If you qualify, you can get a plan w/ prescription drug coverage for around $400/mo. I doubt you'll find anything cheaper without qualifying for medicaid.

The ACA hasn't quite taken enough effect to help you - it looks like the NY insurance exchange won't be up and running until October. Until then, the only way to take advantage of the ACA right now is to be on your parents' insurance (assuming you're under 26).


Also just to let you know, Healthy NY is being disqualified for individuals on January 1st (which sucks!) so if it's an option now, it won't be, then. But we're supposed to have more options come January.
posted by PhoBWanKenobi at 10:46 AM on July 15, 2013


Unfortunately IME the price you were quoted is generally accepted as the average for an individual looking for a non-high-deductible plan.
posted by elizardbits at 11:15 AM on July 15, 2013


If you and your parents live in NY state, and you're under 29, you can still be covered.

http://www.dfs.ny.gov/insurance/health/S6030_Age29.htm
posted by mhz at 6:20 AM on July 16, 2013


Looks like the situation will improve when Obamacare kicks in: Health Plan Cost for New Yorkers Set to Fall 50%
Individuals buying health insurance on their own will see their premiums tumble next year in New York State as changes under the federal health care law take effect, state officials are to announce on Wednesday.
So you just need to get through the rest of 2013.
posted by alms at 6:03 AM on July 17, 2013 [1 favorite]


« Older Sleeping at the Burlington airport / bus depot.   |   But I really really want THIS one Newer »
This thread is closed to new comments.