HELP!!--Need Medical Coverage in North Carolina (health insurance, broker)

[janeenslee]

Can anyone advise me on how to get a doctor's visit without having to pay thousands of dollars? I'm employed but my employer does not offer medical insurance, just a prepaid visa for medical expenses ($100/monthly). I've searched for individual plans but cannot find one that I can afford. All of them have outrageous deductibles for routine services such as lab work, pathology and x-rays. I'm a single woman without children so I can't qualify for medicaid. I would like to be able to get a check up because I'm worried about my cholesterol, possible heart palpitations, thyroid etc. With the economy the way it is, finding another job that will offer coverage seems just impossible. Can anyone tell me what to do or give suggestions on really cheap medical coverage so I can have a doctor's visit and keep my health in check without going bankrupt. I'm really worried that I will have to go another year or so before I've saved up enough money to see the doc even once. HELP!!!!!

[findinghope]

i'm sorry to hear of your troubles and worries. i am not sure where you are located, but i can give you the name of the broker we used. he found us a few companies to choose from depending on what we could afford.

[lovebrentwood]

Did you try the web site that starts with "e" and ends with "health insurance" ? You type in what you want, and different plans display.

Health insurance is a nightmare. Be VERY careful with whatever you buy. It's absolutely amazing what they won't pay for. We are not a modern country as far as health insurance.

At this point, you might be better off calling around to doctor offices asking what their "best price" is for a checkup. It'll cost you a fortune ANYWAY. You should take care of yourself. It's better that you take care of it now rather than later, when it might cost a lot more.

I know dental care is more expensive here than elsewhere. Maybe medical care is, too, I don't know. Something I've done a couple times is fly back to western NY where I know an inexpensive dentist. Here, it's so expensive that it's equal to the cost of the NY dentist AND an airline ticket to NY. (I stay with relatives and borrow a car.)

[Asheville Native]

HELP!!--Need Medical Coverage in North Carolina

You and millions of others. The USA is a third world country when it comes to providing health care.

And by providing I don't meaning "giving it away" but only making sure that it is affordable for everyone, and that pre-existing conditions are also covered. I am healthy, no history of anything, yet it is completely outrageous in cost, to the tune of $2500 a month premiums for $5K deductible. The wife who had successful back surgery 15 years ago, can't buy coverage at any cost.

So she has a good job that we don't need (income wise) just so we can have coverage. Otherwise she would also be retired and someone trying to raise a family could have her job.

[mm34b]

A state-sponsored insurance pool that offers coverage to the riskiest patients has begun, but administrators are seeking to draw more North Carolina residents who have been pushed out of the private market.

[Ann in Oriental]

My problem too! Most counties have a free clinic. Not fun but free if you qualify. Hope you don't own much, you could end up losing things if you need the ER and then can't pay the bill!