Green Panda Treehouse

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My 90 day review is coming up in a few weeks. The Human Resources manager gave me a packet with the health care premiums to review. I’m supposed to turn it in two weeks completed if I want to have health insurance coverage starting July. I’m taking this as a sign that they still want me around.

If my husband and I have both health insurance and dental, it would be $320 each month. We’re both in 20s and in excellent health. I was surprised at how pricey the plan was at this job. My husband’s job had a much cheaper option.

There’s no way we can afford the plan at my new job if we put both of us on the plan.

The Temp Plan

We’re going to have to go with separate plans. If I go with my job and he goes with the temp agency’s plan, it would be $160/month. The benefits look comparable at half the price. Once my husband finishes his contract and (hopefully!) is hired, then we may switch to his company’s plan if it is a better deal.

Have you had to have different plans for health insurance if you’re married? Which companies have the best customer service according to your personal experience?

Most college students don’t consider health insurance a priority with all the other bills they have to deal with. If you neglect having suitable insurance, it can not only lead to serious health consequences, but also can ruin your financial life. A visit to the ER can average $361- $1262 according Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina. In Florida an ER visit can be just under $1900!

 I don’t know many college students and recently graduated students that can afford that. About.com has a really good overview on how to maintain health insurance when you’re in college and when you graduate.

• One option for you if you’re 24 and under is to remain on your parent’s plan. This would increase their bill, but if you can pay your portion, you can get a reasonably good health insurance policy for a better price. If your parents are offering to pay, then thank them for providing some protection incase of an emergency.
• Some universities offer a discounted health care plan for full time students. UNC has such a program. A call to your health services department can tell you if this is an option. All the universities I know offer a clinic for students on routine check ups and minor health problems.
• See if your job offers any health benefits. If you’re part-time, it may not be possible, but it doesn’t hurt to ask.
• Another option is getting a limited health care plan. While it might help with some basic visits, the lower premiums usually means getting less coverage. Still, it’s an option for those trying to make ends meet.

E-healthinsurance is a site that allows you to compare prices of different policies. Keep in mind while you are no doubt looking at the price; don’t let that be you’re only guide.  If you’re paying a low price, but get nothing in return, then you’re losing money. Look at the deductibles and co pays. As with every other policy, please read the fine print.

Do you have health insurance now? How did you get it? Do you know another way to get health coverage while still in school?

This is an updated post from July 07.

Photo credit: NessieNoodle

It seems like health insurance costs keeps increasing every year. I rounded up some tips that can help you keep them lower. Please talk to your doctor before you go on a diet or change medications.

When comparing policies, please remember to check the coverage offered, not just the premieums. You don’t want to be uncovered for a major illness because you have a horrible policy.

• Don’t be a smoker: This habit can cut your life short and it has been linked to other health problems. This in turn leads to higher costs.
• Exercise regularly: Try being active 3x a week for at least 20 minutes. You can lose some
• Watch what you eat: Obesity can increase your chances of diabetes, heart disease, and joint problems.
• Get a hobby: Hobbies can reduce the stress that you feel. That in turn can help your mental health and enrich your life.
• Go for generic drugs when possible: Some drugs are available in generic form at less than half the cost.
• Do routine exams: It’s better to catch something early than to wait until it develops into something worse.
• Try health clinics: If you’re pinching pennies, this could be a good option. With my health insurance, I pay $30 a month for birth control pills. By going to the university health clinic, I pay $40 for 3 months’ supply. I save $240/year just by doing that.

It’s amazing how much health insurances charge. Try to mainatin a healthy lifestyle and it’ll reap dividends beyond money saved.