Need to get Health Insurance

[T-Rex]

I remember reading some articles about high deductible health insurance and HSAs. I have no idea how to get health/dental once I leave the military. I'm going to be a student. I am a very healthy person, married, will maintain income around $40K, would like to not pay a ridiculous amount for insurance. I wouldn't mind having money set aside for high deductible. It totally sucks not knowing people with a lot of civilian experience. I'm mostly in the dark about changes in the civilian lifestyle since 2009.

[begood]

I just read the "where did you go to college thread," which led me to look up tuition and fees for one of the colleges. Included in the list was "health insurance". So maybe the school you attend will offer health insurance if you're a full-time student?

Is your wife staying in the military, so she can keep her own health insurance?

I'm sure others will have ACA advice to offer.

[lakemom]

Have you considered joining the Reserves or a Guard unit?  You'd maintain a supplememtal income and be eligible for Tricare which is very decent and very affordable insurance. 

Wait and see what is offered through your civilian employer and/or your spouses employer.

Check out the "affordable" care act exchanges to see what you will be looking at in terms of costs.

What do you consider "ridiculous"?  With the new Obamacare law "affordable" health insurance is pretty much history unless you are still getting it through an employer but shop around with a couple of independant insurance agents working in the state you plan to live in and see what suggestions they can come up with for you.

[Daleth]

What do you consider "ridiculous"?  With the new Obamacare law "affordable" health insurance is pretty much history unless you are still getting it through an employer

I couldn't disagree more. The friends and relatives I know who switched to ACA exchange plans are all paying less, sometimes significantly less, than they were before.

[Phy to FI]

What do you consider "ridiculous"?  With the new Obamacare law "affordable" health insurance is pretty much history unless you are still getting it through an employer

I couldn't disagree more. The friends and relatives I know who switched to ACA exchange plans are all paying less, sometimes significantly less, than they were before.

I also disagree. Employer health care is not affordable. It only seems to be, because the employer subsidizes it. If you've ever had to go on COBRA, you know this. COBRA is the same insurance, you just have to personally pay the entire cost. My premium for my family went from $400 a month while working to $1300 a month while on COBRA when between jobs. Before that, I had no idea my health insurance cost so much.

Edit: to the OP: when I was in school, I always had healthcare provided through the school. Look into that as a possibility.

[viper155]

What do you consider "ridiculous"?  With the new Obamacare law "affordable" health insurance is pretty much history unless you are still getting it through an employer

I couldn't disagree more. The friends and relatives I know who switched to ACA exchange plans are all paying less, sometimes significantly less, than they were before.

They are paying less because they are getting less. Probably a lot less in terms of choice and service.

[T-Rex]

Well, I will check my college. What would I be looking at in the scenario where I had to seek healthcare outside of a school or employer?

[La Bibliotecaria Feroz]

Then you go on to the exchanges--start at healthcare.gov. I think there's an excellent chance your school will have it, though, especially if you're full-time.

[Gin1984]

What do you consider "ridiculous"?  With the new Obamacare law "affordable" health insurance is pretty much history unless you are still getting it through an employer

I couldn't disagree more. The friends and relatives I know who switched to ACA exchange plans are all paying less, sometimes significantly less, than they were before.

They are paying less because they are getting less. Probably a lot less in terms of choice and service.

That is not always true.  My mom will get less compared to her COBRA, but my husband and I would get more compared to our employer's plan.

[Daleth]

What do you consider "ridiculous"?  With the new Obamacare law "affordable" health insurance is pretty much history unless you are still getting it through an employer

I couldn't disagree more. The friends and relatives I know who switched to ACA exchange plans are all paying less, sometimes significantly less, than they were before.

They are paying less because they are getting less. Probably a lot less in terms of choice and service.

For two of them I personally reviewed their prior and their new coverage to help walk them through the process, so I can tell you from first-hand knowledge that they're NOT getting less. In some ways more (fewer loopholes for the insurer to deny coverage; more things covered) and in some ways the same (network).

[Spartana]

T-Rex See if you qualify for VA medical. http://www.va.gov/healthbenefits/apply/veterans.asp You can't use it with the ACA premium subsidies if you elect to go that way. It's not always the greatest thing but something to have until you can get work or school health insurance. I've used it and have never had a problem. Also if your spouse is still in the military you will be able to get CHAMPUS or Tricare or something similar.

[mooreprop]

Be very careful buying on the exchanges.  A close friend of the family who is a farmer in his 50's lost his prior insurance since it was not Obama approved.  He purchased insurance on the exchange that was from Anthem or so he thought.  His card says Anthem, but no hospital or doctor in our state will accept it because his policy number has two extra letters at the end that apparently designate "worthless policy".  He was paying $700 monthly for this worthless plan until he received notification that the company was going out of business.  Now he has no insurance, cannot get a new plan until next year, and a health condition that will be fatal if untreated.  He will probably lose his farm if he cannot manage to stay healthy for the next year.  Do not believe those who say the exchanges are "great".  Maybe they are great for some, but not for this poor guy.  I suggested he take Anthem to small claims court for allowing their name to be placed on a worthless policy and ask for his $700 back, but this does not solve his real problem.  It would add insult to injury if he were to be fined for not having insurance!

[beltim]

Be very careful buying on the exchanges.  A close friend of the family who is a farmer in his 50's lost his prior insurance since it was not Obama approved.  He purchased insurance on the exchange that was from Anthem or so he thought.  His card says Anthem, but no hospital or doctor in our state will accept it because his policy number has two extra letters at the end that apparently designate "worthless policy".  He was paying $700 monthly for this worthless plan until he received notification that the company was going out of business.  Now he has no insurance, cannot get a new plan until next year, and a health condition that will be fatal if untreated.  He will probably lose his farm if he cannot manage to stay healthy for the next year.  Do not believe those who say the exchanges are "great".  Maybe they are great for some, but not for this poor guy.  I suggested he take Anthem to small claims court for allowing their name to be placed on a worthless policy and ask for his $700 back, but this does not solve his real problem.  It would add insult to injury if he were to be fined for not having insurance!

This is tailor made for the special enrollment period: https://www.healthcare.gov/sep-list/
Basically, if something happens during the year where you need to change insurance (change jobs, family size, state) then you still can.

[mooreprop]

Thanks for the information, Beltim.  I will forward this to him. 

[Mutton Chop]

T-Rex:

Good luck with your transition.  Health insurance can be confusing and painful to deal with.

Does the source of your $40k income offer health insurance?  Group plans are generally better than individual plans or college plans.
Can you jump on your spouse's benefits?
Ask your college for a "Summary of Benefits" for their plan.  It might not be a comprehensive plan.
Call two or three local insurance agents with good reputations in your area, let them do the dirty work.  It doesn't cost any more to use an agent versus doing this yourself.
You make too much money to qualify for Medicaid, nor would you necessarily want that. 

[T-Rex]

I don't even know what's a normal amount to pay!

[La Bibliotecaria Feroz]

We have paid $400-$700 as a family with insurance subsidized through husband's work My share of that as a nonworking spouse was the largest chunk (at least half that amount).