Health Care ... non political

[RiversFox]

Hello,

I have a serious question.
I am not trying to be critical nor am I trying to beat up any administration.

But since the Health care bill passed... what has changed?

The reason I ask...

I graduated college in December ... have no job and need health insurance.

I know there was a clause in the bill that I could go on my father's insurance until I am 25 but I called his insurance and they told me I could go on his insurance (for a small fee of $495 a month).

I went to the Doc's the other day and it cost me $90 for a visit ... insane!

Any suggestions or knowledge?

Thanks.

[tonefight]

There is a time line for when different things are supposed to kick in. I did read about the age 25 deal but don't remember when its supposed to kick in. If I find the info I'll post it. I'm thinking that was one of the first changes to come about.

[ZappasXWife]

I believe it is up to the insurance company as to when they are starting this. Here at Penn State, they sent us an email yesterday that they are starting it right now in order to cover seniors here who have just graduated (many of which have parents who work for the university). The fee would be what your parent would normally pay for you as if you were 18 and under (not sure why they said 495 except that maybe that insurance company hasn't started it yet). Most have not started it this early, and I believe they don't have to start it until like October. This is really helping my daughter out who is a student but was going to part-time status and would otherwise not be covered. Love it.

[lonewolf]

If you weren't already in your father's health plan, then adding you as a dependent will add an additional premium...in your case $495. An exception would be if the plan charges a flat premium for all dependents and your father was already paying the flat premium.

Nobody said it would be free health insurance.

This clause takes effect on September 23, but most insurance companies are already voluntarily in compliance.

The premiums are tax-deductible.

[Banned]

You should talk directly to your doc. When a doc charges a $90 fee, he usually only gets a percentage of that, what is called the usually acceptable fee for that service. Then he has to pay 1 or 2 office staff to do all the insurance filing and wait about a month for whatever he will get. Tell him you will pay cash, right now, as ask him for an immediate cash payment discount. You never know.

In the future there are going to be doctors that are opting out of the insurance system, and will go to cash payments, just like about 40 or 50 years ago.

You know not very long ago, folks paid their local doctors with eggs, chickens and garden crops if they did not have the money. If times keep getting bad, maybe the barter system may be coming back.

[RiversFox]

Thanks for all the info.

I got me an appointment at the free clinic in Johnstown.
First available date was early July.