Health Insurance Options for Med-Students (in NYC)

[Re-Evolution]

I've always been covered under my dad's work, but now I'm 23, I need to buy my own health insurance. The medschool Im going to offers insurance at 4500 a year. For you NYC people, does this rate sound reasonable? Or should I shop around on my own? Please share your experiences 👍

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[Pontifex Maximus]

I'm trying to figure this out too (but for Maryland). The school insurance doesn't look as hot as I'd like - anyone know how to shop around for this kind of thing?

 

[yessir]

You can try a Kiser plan, they are significantly cheaper than the UMD plan (you need to check with student health if they are considered adequate coverage from the University's perspective). Although, since it's an HMO the coverage is not as good. Plus, as a student at UMD you are entitled to free office visits at student health on campus even w/o the university's health plan.

 

[billclinton]

I am just checking into insurance as well. My school offers a plan for 2 people (i'm married) for $4800/year. This has $15-40 copays for Rx and office visit and a $1500 deductable for emergencies/inpatient, etc, and then after the deductable it only covers 80%.

On our own we found a plan that has a $3000 deductable, but after the deductable it covers 100%. All preventative care (annual exams) are covered 100% from the beginning (before deductable). But, there are no copays for Rx. For both of us it is $1800/year ($900 per person per year).

It is $3000 cheaper than the school plan and it covers 100% after deductable. We have estimated that we will only need $500/year in healthcare, unless something catostrophic happens.

 

[DW]

I've always been covered under my dad's work, but now I'm 23, I need to buy my own health insurance. The medschool Im going to offers insurance at 4500 a year. For you NYC people, does this rate sound reasonable? Or should I shop around on my own? Please share your experiences 👍

You can get a hospital only plan from GHI for ~1200 a year, no co pays for office visits or drugs but is good bare bones insurance for young people in case they get hit by a bus. You would still be able to see the doc in student health for free (well, not for free exactly, that comes out of your student fees).

 

[Re-Evolution]

You can get a hospital only plan from GHI for ~1200 a year, no co pays for office visits or drugs but is good bare bones insurance for young people in case they get hit by a bus. You would still be able to see the doc in student health for free (well, not for free exactly, that comes out of your student fees).

Is this the one you are referring to?

http://www.ghi.com/plans/indiv_family/pl_ind_alliance.html

 

[ANCAdoc]

Wow, some of the policies above sound expensive. Though, perhaps demograhics plays a big role.

Here at IU, the mandatory insurance for the 2006-2007 year is $2,421 (you can get a waiver ONLY if you are on your parents policy).

Our deductible is only $250.

Aggregate max per lifetime per condition - $1,000,000
They pay 90-100% of the bill for office visits (100%) and procedures (if you go through their network of providers).
$10 copay for generic drugs, $25 copay for brand name drugs

We can purchase a dental plan for $165 which covers two cleanings per year.

Overall, I think this is a pretty good plan. Plan is through the Chickering Group (Aetna).

 

[paradisedoc]

I've always been covered under my dad's work, but now I'm 23, I need to buy my own health insurance. The medschool Im going to offers insurance at 4500 a year. For you NYC people, does this rate sound reasonable? Or should I shop around on my own? Please share your experiences 👍

My family health insurance policy will cover full-time student dependents through age 25 so check to make sure that you cannot continue to be covered. I have elected to forgo med school coverage till the last possible time but won't make it thru all of medical school either.