After I came home, I got a bill from my doctor’s. My eyes immediately turned to the $225 figure – and I mentally had a “What?!” moment.
On a closer look, I realized that all but $8.81 of the amount is paid for by insurance, so my responsibility is for less than $10. That made me feel much better. It also reinforced the fact how important health insurance is, and how fortunate I am to have quality, affordable health insurance.
That’s why I include a line item in my restructuring (aka “laid off”) budget for private health insurance. Even if it’s only catastrophic coverage, I am far too chicken to play chicken with my health. I have family members who work in the medical field, so I’ve heard about the ordeal that falls on people with inadequate, or no, insurance.
Mom told me that staying healthy is the most important factor to achieving and maintaining prosperity in America. The more I think about it, the truer I think it is.
I worry about health insurance a lot – for people that I love who aren’t insured, for the future of the health care system in America, for the growing Medicare and Medical liabilities, and for my parents’ health insurance / long-term care insurance needs.
Hi WH, so I’m anticipating a move from LA to San Diego for 6 months. I googled “how to budget food” and I come across your blog post back in January about your food budget. I’ve been reading your blog for the past hour now and I’m amazed at your motivation to be live financially sound among a generation that well, for the lack of better wording (I’m terrible at writing), doesn’t do so well in the money department. Looking forward to more of your posts…
If it makes you feel any better, health insurance isn’t that expensive for a young, healthy adult. Getting a quote now might help to ease your mind.
I pay $64 per month for basic coverage (office visits, pharmacy, lab work and emergencies) through Aetna and I’m 24. If you can label yourself as “self-employed” by freelancing during a layoff, you can also deduct 100% of your insurance costs from self-employment income.
Yes, it’s obviously more expensive for older adults – I do feel for the people in their 50’s and 60’s who aren’t eligible for Medicare, but recently lost their health insurance! I was doing research for my parents (ages 58 and 61) and insurance through eHealthinsurance.com would cost about $300-400 each. Yikes!
Amen to that. Health insurance is a coveted thing nowadays and not as prevalent as we’d like. It sounds like you’ve got great coverage. You are fortunate. We’ll see what happens with Obama and where he will lead us on this front.
Jerry
http://www.leads4insurance.com
This is the first time in my life that I do not have extended health coverage, and I’m not happy. I think I will suck it up and pay the $55/month to get dentist visits, prescriptions, massage therapy, etc. paid for. Your health is the most important thing!
health insurance lead generation…
Good post. I am looking into these issues on my blog….