I'm so dreading this but I had better start researching as I am so clueless to the this health insurance thing. My husband is self employed so doesn't have any employer coverage. He also is part native american so for any of his medical needs he has got coverage from his tribal membership. I can't be covered under it. Our son possible can get coverage under him but only if treatment occurs at the reservation hospital, which is over burdan as is and we both agree that we should get insurance instread of relying it.

Where do I start? What do you look for in medical insurance policies? Please, anyone with some advice or a good place to start looking for information or a reliable website.

Like the whole Sicko thread, I feel like crying. lol

Hey neiks, my husband works for an insurance broker. Usually a broker is where you start since they represent/sell (?) insurance from different companies and you fill out a questionnaire which they base the quote on. What state are you going to be living in? I can ask him to point you in the right direction.

One more thing... is your baby being covered under his or yours?

Try Universal Insurance Services, http://www.udb.com/usa/home.aspx.

Also, UnitedHealthCare through GoldenRule, http://www.goldenrule.com/

(FYI, I use UHC/GoldenRule for Pras and myself)

I'm very curious to know how much health insurance costs when you don't have coverage through an employer?

I am from Canada, where health care is VERY cheap, and I am now on my husband's insurance through his employer, but I am just wondering if anyone could tell me how much it costs for a couple to get health insurance.

i found this site awhile back.. it gives you quotes from various health insurance companies...

http://www.hsaconnect.com/hsa/quotes.php

Thanks, we are in North Dakota.

I think we were going to get family coverage, where we will all be covered???

Everyone else, thanks for the links. I will check them out. I googled and checked out a few sites that say they compare but they all seem to direct you to their companies polices and don't put a side by side comparison. A lot of them want to fill out a form with your telephone number. I filled out a few of those and literally within minutes there was agents phoning, some saying that I'm already pre-apporved and a few more questions I'll be signed up. I'm not ready for the sales pitches yet. I need to do some research and figure all this out, the deductables, co-pays, OPP. I think this is worse than figuring out the immigration stuff.

Well the one quote I have so far is $450 monthly with a $3500 combined decuct and 100% co-pay. That is for me, husband and baby. Another is $550 monthly, $500 deduct each person, and 75% co-pay. Like I said it's so confusing figuring out what is the best way to go. And this is all with out maternity - that avg's another $200 more a month. I'm moving back to Canada if we have another baby.

just use a fake number

Yes, i'm going to start doing that. But many of the sites don't actually give you a online quote or estimate but after putting in your info and answering their questionairre they say that a rep will contact you with a quote.

the site I posted gives you the quote without having to talk to a rep....

GoldenRule charges us $275/month for a $25 copay policy.

Here is something I want to share....I meet people all the time who are frustrated and worried about finding affordable health insurance. All I can say is look around and get quotes as well as considering a Health Discount Plan. It's not insurance, it's a plan where you can get up to 80% discounts on Dental work, 20-60% on Vision, up to 50% on generic prescriptions, and 30-50% savings on Chiropractic. As for the Health, there are up to 85% discounts on labwork, 60% discounts on visits, as well as having an advocacy program negotiate the best possible fees should someone need to be hospitalized. A great example is someone who was hospitalized because of a heart attack and his fees were discounted over $100,000. The rest he was able to pay over time. The great thing about this program is there is no waiting period, no pre-authorization required, all ongoing medical problems are included and there are a wide range of physicians to choose from.

I am an Independent Business Owner at home with this company and I get the Dental, Vision, Prescription and Chiropractic FREE as a result. I absolutely love this company! Working with them will help bring me home from my other J.O.B. and give us the time freedom that we want to spend with each other. In case anyone was wondering about their credentials, they are members in good standing with the Consumer Health Alliance, National Association of Dental Plans and the National Assoc. of Health Underwriters. Here is my benefits website that you can look around at your leisure Health Plans as low as $19.95/month and here is the link to my business website Freedom At Home to learn more about the company so you can see they are legit and have been established and are the largest Health Plan company in America.

It's an affordable alternative for insurance if it's too expensive, or you can't get it because of a pre-existing condition. I love being able to help people get an affordable plan because I used to be someone who never had insurance because of being self employed and when one of my kids broke an arm in a bike accident, the fees were outrageous! Not to mention how long it took for us to get dental work done because of the out of pocket expenses. Sorry this is long...it's just something that means a lot to me as well as touching a sore spot about health care/insurance in this country.

Eh, okay scratch the recommendation from my husband. He isn't familiar with the companies that cover your state.