So, I was talking to some HMOs today about how to get insurance

[mahina]

if I'm not employed any more at the same company I've been at for 17 years.
Guess what. No prescription coverage, (mine are expensive), and the 487$/mo per person plan only has a 20% copay for major medical.

And they might not take me.

!!! What the hell!!!

The other HMO won't even talk to me unless I'm in business. And I have to show them my GE tax records every quarter.

What do you guys do? Any suggestions?

[Raven]

1. When I became self-employed, I went to the insurance company

that carries my home and car insurance. One of their brokers got me through the maze of paperwork and I ended up with a good policy but it was expensive (I smoke). I'm in New Hampshire and the state does have state provided insurance for people who can't get it elsewhere. Maybe your state has something similar.

Regarding employment, I was working on my own as a lawyer but I was really retired and did very little in the way of practicing law. No body ever asked for any tax records.

Good luck with this.

[angrycarpenter]

2. I have been uninsured for12 years

I just don't get sick, I can't afford it. It is not much of a plan but it is the only one I have.

I got tired of calling my HMO to schedule an appointment with a doctor and getting a stooge in a call center trying to talk me out of getting medical attention. How many people have died because some phone jockey told them to just take an aspirin?

I hate Insurance companies of all kinds but HMOs should be classified as a criminal enterprise. Every one of them would rather you died then cost them any money.

[liberal4truth]

4. Yeap.America..whatta great compassionate country..NOT!

[liberal4truth]

3. If you are self employed the chamber of commerce might have something affordable

a relative of mine gets family coverage there. Not cheap but better then individual HMO plans.

[Sadie4629]

5. Can you set up an HSA?

Low premiums, high deductibles. The coverage is really only for extreme emergencies, but your savings on premiums could allow you to pay for your prescriptions, office visits, etc.

[mahina]

7. Thanks Sadie, what is that?

It sounds like a good solution, maybe, because that is what I really need, in case of big problems.
Aloha.

[Sadie4629]

8. Health Savings Account

If it is at all feasible, that's what I would do.

[Flying Dream Blues]

6. It's ridiculous. When my husband sold his business, we stayed on COBRA

which was horrendously expensive because our same insurance company "declined" to cover us at any price...and neither of us have any real serious health problems. Thankfully he has insurance through his new company, since I'm self-employed.