Question about buying my own insurance on the marketplace

[discolemonade]

Hello!

I was wondering if anyone who has to pay for their own insurance (aka in private practice or employer doesn’t provide benefits/doesn’t have a partner who’s benefits they are on) could provide me with any guidance or wisdom? I am currently starting to apply to post docs and if I choose to go the group private practice route it seems like most of them don’t have benefits. My specific questions are: (1) are there options on the market place that have good out of network coverage? And (2) how much should I plan to be spending a month on insurance if I want a good plan with out of network coverage?

Thank you so much! Any personal anecdotes or advice would be much appreciated. I know this stuff can be found on the internet but it seems really difficult to find accurate information because Google is so bombarded with ads. (Also I’m assuming it varies by location-I’m in NYC so guessing costs are on the higher end of things) thanks again!

---

Members don't see this ad.

 

[Temperance]

Are you already in New York City? You might get better information about available plans by applying to the Marketplace with your current income, just to see what's available and what it costs with and without the advance premium tax credit, and then you can update your application with your new employment information later.

 

[discolemonade]

Are you already in New York City? You might get better information about available plans by applying to the Marketplace with your current income, just to see what's available and what it costs with and without the advance premium tax credit, and then you can update your application with your new employment information later.

i am! Thank you so much, I will definitely do this!

 

[foreverbull]

Your answers will greatly vary by state/local insurance companies and their plans. I buy the “top” insurance privately in my area but it doesn’t cover out of network stuff much at all unless it’s emergency care out of state. Some (many?) employer-based plans will be better than what you can buy in the marketplace, unfortunately, at least in my state. I had to downgrade from my employer-based plan to a slightly lesser version at the same company when switching (although it’s the best and most expensive they offer).

I’d make sure you go by your state’s website/protocol and you should be able to easily compare plans and premiums based on estimated income. Most of your questions will be answered there.

 

[discolemonade]

Your answers will greatly vary by state/local insurance companies and their plans. I buy the “top” insurance privately in my area but it doesn’t cover out of network stuff much at all unless it’s emergency care out of state. Some (many?) employer-based plans will be better than what you can buy in the marketplace, unfortunately, at least in my state. I had to downgrade from my employer-based plan to a slightly lesser version at the same company when switching (although it’s the best and most expensive they offer).

I’d make sure you go by your state’s website/protocol and you should be able to easily compare plans and premiums based on estimated income. Most of your questions will be answered there.

Thanks so much!! I have heard similar things (that employer plans are going to be better than marketplace) and I’m thinking I should probably just not apply to any post docs that don’t have benefits 🙁

 

[foreverbull]

Thanks so much!! I have heard similar things (that employer plans are going to be better than marketplace) and I’m thinking I should probably just not apply to any post docs that don’t have benefits 🙁

That might be a safer plan!