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We are new to Raleigh/Cary and have the following question. My wife's employer-based health care charges $600 per month for coverage for us (a young family of four). They said that this is a reasonable (affordable) monthly premium for this area. But we are frankly astonished by the cost of this premium. We are moving from Pittsburgh, PA and we had until recently there monthly premiums with good coverage for a family of 4 at around $340-400 at most. Are there any good, affordable coverages for a family like ours that cost less than $600 per month in the Raleigh area? Thanks.
I'd be stunned if you did find a credible policy at a lower price but if you do please be sure to share the details. Even when my employer paid for part of my plan it still cost me nearly $600 per month. Currently I'm paying just over $1k per month while carrying my own coverage.
I wish I could help you...my premium is unaffordable too.
People considering relocating should add health insurance to the list of things that are potentially more expensive here. (I know it's less that NY & NJ)
We just moved from Texas to NC. BCBS Anthem (those evil people out of CA) was who his previous employer used and it was about $250 a month. The employer before used BCBS Texas and it was about the same. Here his company uses BCBS NC same coverage as before $500 a month. That's our part not the employer part. His company paid us what they would put toward coverage during the 60 day waiting period (didn't have one of those with the other BCBS companies) and it was about $500 a month making the coverage $1000 monthly. Says alot about what NOT allowing insurance companies to provide coverage to more than one state causes in prices to the consumer. I find it interesting that BCBS has a much higher premium for it's NC "branch" or whatever they call it to meet federal guidelines.
[quote=wjsluvskaz;15216454]I wish I could help you...my premium is unaffordable too.
Yep, same here. I haven't had health insurance for over three years now. It was $205 a month just for myself when I had BCBS four years ago. Then the rate went to $230, so I dropped it. I would hate to see how much it would be now!
Well my boss pays 80% of mine alone and I end up paying $100 a month, so clearly my rate is normally $500 a month. To add my wife is $600 a month (yes more than me b/c she is female), and to add my daughter is also $500. Thus, its $1,100 a month to add both my wife and daughter to my plan, or in total, its $1,600 a month for us 3 for health insurance if I was to pay it. That said, your $600 a month is a GREAT RATE, and you need to be ecstatic you have a rate that good.
I agree that $600/month is a good deal for a family of 4. That's right around what we pay, down from closer to $900. Thank goodness my husband's business went corporate...much better benefits.
Just out of curiosity, I input a young family of four (age 32 parents, two adorable kiddies ages 5 and 7) into the BCBS rate engine. If you were willing to accept something other than "first dollar" coverage--that is, to leave the world of copays behind--you could protect your family from catastrophic health losses for 266.64 per month. You would receive the "negotiated" rate for medical services which is usually one-half to one-third what the uninsured pay. You would have a 10K deductible, which essentially means that you will pay out-of-pocket for your healthcare, except if, god forbid, one of you gets cancer or some other major problem. That's when the insurance would kick in.
I view medical insurance as a form of bankruptcy protection. This is feasible because I am in average health. Those who have serious health problems which require frequent doctoring....well, there's not much help for them, I'm sorry to say.
Just out of curiosity, I input a young family of four (age 32 parents, two adorable kiddies ages 5 and 7) into the BCBS rate engine. If you were willing to accept something other than "first dollar" coverage--that is, to leave the world of copays behind--you could protect your family from catastrophic health losses for 266.64 per month. You would receive the "negotiated" rate for medical services which is usually one-half to one-third what the uninsured pay. You would have a 10K deductible, which essentially means that you will pay out-of-pocket for your healthcare, except if, god forbid, one of you gets cancer or some other major problem. That's when the insurance would kick in.
I view medical insurance as a form of bankruptcy protection. This is feasible because I am in average health. Those who have serious health problems which require frequent doctoring....well, there's not much help for them, I'm sorry to say.
Hate to burst that healthy dose of optimism bubble of yours...unless they've never so much as reported a sneeze to their health care provider, and both parents are male, the chances of getting a family covered for that amt by BCBS are slim. They might, but if so, would likely be one of 5 families in the state who won the BCBS lottery!
Women cost more to insure. She is of child bearing age...I can hear BCBS rubbing their hands together right now
Seriously, the on line rate is a guide. You have to go thru review and they confirm the final rate.
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