Affordable independent health insurance?

November 21, 2006 12:03 PM

How do I get affordable personal health insurance?

I work at a small business that doesn't offer any health insurance. I can probably afford $60-$80 a month for payments. Is it possible to get decent health insurance for this? Something with roughly a $25 copay and a reasonable deductible.

I am young, 26, and don't have any health problems, but would like to keep it that way. I am not married, and just need coverage for me.

I have looked through old Mefi posts and none of them seem to answer this specific questions.

Any ideas?

posted by blueplasticfish to Health & Fitness (7 answers total)

If you don't plan to go to the doc every time you get the sniffles, it's cheaper to carry major medical coverage and not bother with a full blown regular checkups/drugs/low deductible plan. So if you get in a car wreck or develop some dread disease you're covered. Otherwise, you're on your own.

I currently have temporary major medical insurance through Assurant, and it's about $45 a month for six months of coverage. They do yearly plans, and I believe you can renew a few times.
posted by schoolgirl report at 12:27 PM on November 21, 2006

For $80 a month, I don't think you'll get "decent", perhaps look into something stripped down to the minimum (ie saves you from bankruptcy in event of emergencies, but not much else). Where I am, modest insurance is $200 a month IF you're a big company with the clout to deal, and $500 a month if you're a small company or individual. However it sounds like Costco offers small business an insurance that is better than the $500 insurance, but costs closer to the $200, however you need a business license and costco membership ($100/year). I'm under the impression they don't, but perhaps they offer other plans? An organisation like Costco is probably the only way for an individual to leverage the kind of prices that the big players get. Other than emigrating from the USA.
posted by -harlequin- at 12:42 PM on November 21, 2006

Tonik Health Insurance - I haven't used it myself but I have been trying to come up with a good plan for this myself and this is the only item that I found thats close.

http://www.tonik.com/ca/
posted by farmersckn at 12:59 PM on November 21, 2006

Blue Cross in your state might have something in the neighborhood of what you want. However, it will likely have a $1000 or more deductible. I don't think you'll find "corporate" style health insurance in the price range you mentioned.
posted by COD at 1:15 PM on November 21, 2006

Response by poster: Well, after more research I think I have answered my question, at least for my area (Utah).

http://selecthealth.org/
posted by blueplasticfish at 2:03 PM on November 21, 2006

For Bexar County (San Antonio) Care Link
posted by bigmusic at 4:27 PM on November 21, 2006

Depending on your location and income, you might qualify for state-subsidized healthcare. I know Minnesota has such a program; not sure about Utah.
posted by neckro23 at 8:25 PM on November 21, 2006