health insurance?

[BuzzKillington]

I haven't had health insurance for a few years now and ended up paying a few grand in medical bills because of it.

It's time to start looking into some coverage but it's all new to me since I've only had it through my parents but my coverage ended when I turned 18.

I found a $25 Copayment HMO Plan with $0 deductible at $190 a month with an A- rating through Kaiser. 25 dollars a month more for basic dental but no vision available. So far it's the best, most affordable plan since the rest have $1500 - $4000 deductibles.

I'm curious about how the contracts are set up if there are contracts at all. I noticed there's a category for "short term insurance" and they are all much more expensive so that's where the idea came from.

Anyone have any tips for me? This is my first time around signing up for my own insurance so I don't know much about how it all works.

[blueonblack]

Hard to say without knowing where you are, but if you're here in the States, that HMO plan sounds like the best you're going to find, assuming there are doctors/hospitals in your area that take it. That's as good as the health insurance I have through my employer, and it costs me $500 a month for myself, wife and 2 kids, with no dental benefits. If you can still get it I'd take it. Look over the dental closely before you pay the extra, though, most of them have pretty low yearly maximum benefits.

I can't help you with the "contracts" question, as I have never heard of contracts on health insurance, other than group insurance like mine where we can only opt out or join quarterly.

[BuzzKillington]

I talked to my manager and I guess my job offers full coverage for a fairly decent price. Medical, dental and vision for I think 120 bi-weekly or somewhere around there.

"Plans starting at 17 dollars bi-weekly."

We're only allowed to join/drop during 2 windows throughout the year but my manager said if I had any problems to come see her. I guess she has friends in high places or something.