wondering about hawaii's health insurance (how much, wage, cost of)

[SM111]

I have read that an employee only has to pay 1.5% of their monthly wage for employee provided health insurance, but how much does it cost to cover dependents? I read that a 7(a) plan requires the employer to pay 50% on dependents but the 7(b) plan does not specify. What are the differences between the two? Thanks

[mdand3boys]

Single coverage for many people is free simply because the cost of administering/collecting the 1.5% isn't worth the effort for the company.
Dependent (family) coverage tends to run $300-$600 extra for the employee, if the employer doesn't pick up the costs. There are only a few insurance companies, with a very small number of plans from which to choose from because the benefits/plans must adhere to a strict definition from the state.
One cannot choose to not have health insurance (and get a bigger paycheck from the employer) unless they provide proof of other insurance coverage to the state.

As a severe side effect, Hawaii's health care law has created a state full of 19 hour per week jobs which means those employers don't have to provide health insurance. many people work 2 or 3 part-time jobs to make ends meet and consequently, do not have health insurance.

This law is one of the reasons why jobs tend to pay less in Hawaii. That "free" health care is part of your pay. It is a case of; "Do you want more pay or get less pay with insurance?"

[KonaKat]

To add my husband to my employer-provided insurance (which has no vision, dental or prescription coverage) would cost me $550/month.

[Kamaaina_Only]

HMO's are making a killing everywhere in the nation. When is that Obama care gonna kick in?

[KonaKat]

Originally Posted by Kamaaina_Only

HMO's are making a killing everywhere in the nation. When is that Obama care gonna kick in?

Well, the question I have, is who is going to pay for all that ??

[martyann]

Originally Posted by Kamaaina_Only

HMO's are making a killing everywhere in the nation. When is that Obama care gonna kick in?

Do you have any hard numbers about the profit of HMO's? Obama care will only do what such meddling always does - make things worse, as, of course, more of what has made things bad, won't make them better.

[mdand3boys]

Originally Posted by Kamaaina_Only

HMO's are making a killing everywhere in the nation. When is that Obama care gonna kick in?

Mandating additional coverages will only cause rates to go up.

Furthermore, the Hawaii health care insurance companies are not exactly raking in the profits.

HMSA reduces loss to $4.1M on higher rates - Hawaii Business - Staradvertiser.com

Kaiser losses up to $5.1M - Hawaii Business - Staradvertiser.com

Kaiser raising co-payments New Year's Day - Hawaii Business - Staradvertiser.com

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