Health insurance - The Perils of paying your own

Back in 2004 when I took early retirement, it wasn't so bad. This company, Mega Life & Health, was only about $274 every three months. Slowly, and then not so slowly, the amount went up to where they now want $839.70.
I'm so tempted to say, the heck with it. It doesn't expire til Sept. 25th and I suppose with my luck, I'd get really sick or hit by a car on the 26th. If ever there was an incentive to stay healthy, this would be it!
I just wonder if anyone else out there pays their own health care? That $839 seems SO high, especially considering the deductible is $10,000. And it's only for me.
Three years ago, I was overcome by the heat...not in LV but here in the Chicago area. All that Mega paid of the ER bill was $1,200 and I was stuck with the rest, about $6,000. Needless to say, I've tried to make sure that doesn't happen again.
Finally, I thought it a bit insulting they threw that .70 on the bill. As if what, they were going to go bankrupt without it!? It's like, if the hospital/doctor doesn't grab every last dollar out of your savings account, the health care provider will!

Tim

Have owned our own business for a long time (30 years) and until I turned 60 and got my military health insurance (reserve retirement) we had indiviual policies with a high deductable. Our motto was don't get sick and it worked. Since I tuned 60 my wife went thru a 6 day coma (due to bad doctors) and breast cancer. Thank God it happend after we got the military insurance which essentially paid everything.
My daughter also has private insurance and she watches her health very carefully (fortunately her kids are covered by her ex's Fedex insurance).

We pay $120.50 per month which covers both my wife and I. No deductible. It is the Provincial health program in BC Canada. It covers all doctor visits, emergency treatments, non-elective surgery, eye examination, some physio. It doesn't cover dental. I snapped a tendon in my arm and was in surgery within 4 days. From reading posts here and elsewhere I see that the issue of Private v State is very divided in opinion. I am staying out of the politics of it, just stating how it works here and that the satisfaction level is high.

I pay about $175 a month. Single, 60 year old.

I was fired from my job linked to my health insurance January 2 because I took two days of FMLA the weekend after Chirstmas to see my dad post op bladder cancer surgery. I DID work both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, as well as all of the other holidays in 2012.. The wonderful institution that did this to me was Mercy Hospital, Iowa City. This was after working there 32 years. Mercy also reported my firing date as December instead of December so I had no health insurance the first month I was out of work.

This has been a really difficult year. Finally got a job at Dillard's but NO ONE will hire me for more than 28 hours per week because they would have to offer benefits.

By the way, when I first was shipping for insurance Blue Cross refused to provide me with coverage at any price.

By the way, I had had coverage through the school system until early retirement 2 years ago. I had my back up plan in place because I had worked part time at Mercy for 30 years without taking advantage of their health insurance, meaning I didn't get their reported employee benefits for 30 years. I have filed an age discrimination complaint with the state of Iowa in ord to be eligible to file a federal civil rights complaint but it has cost me thousands of dollars in lawyer's fees with no response from the Civil Rights Commission so far ( filed in May, 4 months ago.)

Sorry to hear that Connie - hope it works out for you

That's TERRIBLE, Connie! I think the suit you filed is spot on, and I am so hoping you win it. Too many companies get away with it, EXCUSING their long-term employees, who are "up there" on the ranks and pay ladders, so they can bring in someone new and start them at the bottom of the ladder. I wish you only the best. Update us if you can. Gail from MN

By the way, they tell me that when I retire from my State of MN position in less than two years (YAY!!) my single health premium will be approximately $500 a month if I want to continue the same coverage I've had all along. Yes, it's good coverage but talk about a CHUNK OF CHANGE! Sure wish we had here what they've got going in Canada. . . . .

Yes, I agree with tonyrob, we are lucky in British Columbia. My total health care cost, including all hospital, doctor visits, dental, prescriptions, eye glasses, physio, travel medical insurance, and all with no deductible, is $179 month. My late husband worked for the Provincial Government, so as his widow, I receive all the benefits now. I feel very fortunate!

About the coverage in Canada, I've talked to at least 3 folks, over the last couple of years, who have come to Vanderbilt for operations because they would have had to wait too long in Canada to get them. We had a lady working for us from Canada who stated that everyone she new who needed elective surgery came to the US. Makes you wonder (although the rates in Canada sure sound great).

Can't help but notice that you are talking about waiting too long for "elective" surgery, not necessary surgery. Maybe somebody from Canada can elaborate for us.