How are you guys handling your health insurance for you and if you

[KoKo]

have a couple of employees? It's been an issue for us. We finally had to become an LLC...to get Blue Cross/Blue Shield, and then we affiliated with another group...

[Longhorn]

1. Do you know if that works if you're an S-Corp?

We just have three employees and get our insurance through the National Association of Small Businesses -- but I'm not sure we're getting our money's worth.

[Sgent]

2. Your not

the NASB policies are crap. I could go into it if you want me to, but basically they cover a very, very limited amount and "look" like insurance but arent.

With 3 employees, your eligible for real group coverage. Call a local insurance broker who deals with business insurance. There are a lot of real companies out there -- BC/BS, United, Aetna, etc.

[Longhorn]

3. Thanks! I keep hoping I'll get on fulltime at the community college

where I am currently an adjunct and then I'll get some benefits!

I need to make some calls but the last time I checked into this, my phone rang off the wall with this insurance agent dissing that one to the point that I hated every minute of it!

But I'll try again. :(

[Sgent]

4. I'm not an insurance agent

I work in the medical field, including overseeing billing. I have real world experience with claims on most policies, and actually understand them in most cases.

The NASB policies are especially egregarious becuase they will tell you...

We cover outpatient surgery with a 100 deductible.

They don't mention (but its buried in the contract) that they cover oupatient surgery to $1500 with a $1000 deductible. Any expense over $1500 is your problem.

They do the same with physician visits -- we cover with a $25 deductible the first $75. Which means your $400 visit with diagnostic tests is going to cost you $350 out of pocket.

[latebloomer]

5. That is horrible!!

What a scam-- that's not insurance!! Thanks for telling me--I was gonna look into NASB.

I have a "small business" rate and will be paying around $1300 for a family of four. Didn't have to incorporate in my state.

[ThoughtCriminal]

6. Problems with NASB

When we were shopping, I talked to them. It might be better than nothing, but not by much. Their "Group" plan is non-HIPA, which means they can and do exclude pre-existing conditions. We went with a state sponsored program for small businesses that offered group coverage. Since I still had group coverage from my previous employer, we did not have to deal with the pre-existing exclusions.

Later I googled them and was quite relieved that I did not sign on.