Possible move to Greenville (Anderson, Easley: health insurance, calculator, subsidized)

[Pennsylvanian]

I am looking to move my family from PA to Greenville. Have not had trouble finding work, but health insurance group plans have been outrageous. Currently I pay $20 a week for family coverage. I have looked into four companies in Greenville and have found the group rate to be from $100 to a high of $215 a week! This would be very difficult for me since my wife does not work. Are these high health insurance rates for group plans typical in Greenville? Thank you.

[drfranklin]

For family coverage, I pay about $540/month for decent insurance. My employer picks up more than half of the total premium. I have never heard of family coverage for $80/month - unless this was due to a VERY generous employer, state subsidies, or something else. Others I'm sure will chime in.

[jac]

Our contribution runs around $500/month. In Chattanooga it was about the same, in Maine it was considerably higher. It sounds like you have a very generous employer in PA. You may want to check out one of the cost of living calculators online just to check your other expenses.
jac

[Ms.Christine0327]

I don't work in Greenville I work in Anderson and the family rates where I work for insurance are 58$ biweekly. My boyfriend worked in Easley and his rates were 73$ family dental and all.

[Pennsylvanian]

Would the $58 bi-weekly include good BC/BS insurance. I have excellent insurance now, not BC/BS but equivalent (Health America/Health Assurance). It is not government subsidized. My employer pays about $166 a week. I pay the rest. There are people paying more here, perhaps as high as $70 a week. But it is not unusual for people to pay as low as I do and still get excellent insurance. Thank you everyone for your replies. Everything you have to say is helpful.

[southerngentleman]

744 a month for good coverage is still a good group rate! Rates will vary depending on the "risk" of the group and the zip code, it all depends on the rate tables. If you can't find good group you may want to look into HSA plans, or look for Group HSA employers, We pay 350 a month for a free standing HSA for Family.

[Pennsylvanian]

Southerngentlemen, would you please tell me more about the group HSA. How do you get it? Is the coverage as good as BC/BS. Thank you.

[southerngentleman]

Originally Posted by Pennsylvanian

Southerngentlemen, would you please tell me more about the group HSA. How do you get it? Is the coverage as good as BC/BS. Thank you.

Group HSA's are provived by employers,usually smaller groups ,some plans are designed for under 50.
There is a " High deductable" health plan, the deductable varies from plan to plan , coupled with a Health Savings Account which is used to pay health care cost.
The employer can pay into this plan and contrubutions are non-taxed.
The benefits are many,
1.A lower health insurance cost
2. Greater flexability of coverage
3. Coverage of Major Health Risk while the individuals cover everyday cost
4. Discounts on drugs and office vists
5. HSA amounts roll over from year to year and grow tax free
6. at 65 the balance can be used as a retirement account

Ask HR departments if they offer this benefit, But I will warn you that these plans are fairly new in the Group setting.