Help needed on health insurance shopping

[chef]

---

Members do not see this ad.

It's not for me, but for my aunt who just moved from overseas w/ a permanent resident card. She is 50 yrs old and she needs a health insurance, for both peace of mind, and also she will need to get an operation for her buneon toes.
Where is the best place to shop for health insurance? Whare are some key criteria/components to look for when shopping? I never bought health insurance for myself so I'm clueless. thanks for any help

*Moderators - if this q can be answered better in another forum, feel free to move it

 

[watto]

Call Blue Cross and ask them to send you their plan matrix. Tons of great information in it and you can compare prices and features easily.

I am much younger than your aunt, of course, but I pay only $40 per month for a pretty good cheapo plan.

 

[mpp]

Although I can't vouch for its dependability, you might try <a href="http://www.quotesmith.com" target="_blank">QuoteSmith</a>.

 

[BeckyG]

The main things to look for in any plan are:

-- the versatility in choosing physicians (i.e., can your aunt go to anyone or only specific doctors)
-- the out-of-pocket maximums, co-pays, premiums
-- the total/max payouts over her lifetime (should be approx. $1 to $5 million)
-- blackout/waiting periods -- this is very important if she wants to have the procedure done soon; most insurance co's have a 6-month waiting period (called something else... exclusion period or something, can't remember) if the insured did not have health insurance previously and continuously prior to getting the new insurance
-- pre-existing conditions exclusions - if the insured has any "condition" and has NOT had continuous insurance prior to getting new insurance, the insurance co can impose pre-existing conditions clauses; if your aunt then has a problem with that "condition", she will not get covered for problems in that area IF they are NOTED on the insurance contract

Those are the major issues. There are others and you should look at the "matrix" that watto mentioned closely. Compare the things that you think will be most important, but remember that HMOs are more restrictive (but less expensive in up-front/patient costs) and PPOs, etc offer more freedom (but cost more in out-of-pocket expenses). Hope this helps.

 

[marleybfour]

Chef,

Because of your aunt's age she will have to pay a small fortune for private health insurance. (Probably around $350-600 month) Also any pre-existing problems will be covered at a higher rate or not covered at all. Is she working? If not she may qualify for medicaid. I pay for insurance privately for my husband and I. I have it strictly for a major emergency as I have a $5000 deductible. I pay $95/month for two of us, but I am younger then your aunt.
Have your aunt look on-line at einsurance. You generally fill in data and it will show you the best insurance for the price. I have mine through GoldenRule. Good luck.

 

[chef]

hey guys, thanks for your replies. I did check those online quote sites, and monthly premiums vary a lot depending on deductible, coinsurance, physician network, etc.

Problem for her is that she just moved to USA, and she has no job, and plus like you guys mentioned b/c of her age her insurance will be $$$.

I'm even thinking about recommending her to see a podiatrist and getting a surgery done on her bunion toe and pay out of pocket ASAP, b/c it's giving her a lot of pain, and it seems like it'll cost $4000 max. $4k is a lot of money, but we already have a good surgeon in mind and he can do it relatively soon. I'm thinking about chipping in also, I hate to see her suffering. Insurance isn't so cheap, she can't pick her surgeon, and plus she has to wait for 6 months.. not worth it IMHO.