Cheap way to get guaranteed health insurance

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a maximum of $500 per year for sexually transmitted diseases...

Was that the showstopper for you?

[justin]

I just called Hill Chesson, the agent that administers the Univ. of N.C. at Chapel Hill, NC State University, and Duke Univ. optional health insurance plans. I told them my current situation, I'm taking 3 credit hours. They said as long as you're a "degree seeking" student according to the university, you're eligible to enroll in the health insurance plan. There is no minimum number of hours. So, for one year of tuition and the health ins. premiums, it would cost around $200/month. Not bad for low deductible insurance. I don't think you could beat that even if you were healthy at 50-60 years old. I just checked a quote for a similar BCBS individual plan, and the premium is around $350/month for a 56 year old male. If you are in great health and you're lucky enough to get that rate.

And remember, there are no qualifications based on health that you have to meet to sign up for the University plan.

I think the usefulness of my scheme depends on the availability of a local university and the costs of tuition and the benefits and costs of their insurance plan and all their requirements. I'm pretty sure it is feasible where I live.

JG,

I'm interested in finding out more about the organizations you're talking about joining to get group insurance for running a small business. Can you drop a name or two so I can look them up?

[Marshac]

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Originally Posted by justin I'm interested in finding out more about the organizations you're talking about joining to get group insurance for running a small business.* Can you drop a name or two so I can look them up?*

Costco

[justin]

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Originally Posted by Marshac Costco

Link didn't work, but I found the page through google by searching on 'costco health insurance'

This is only available in five or six states it looks like. I also wonder about the scope of the network of doctors available. It also gave me a quote of over $400 each for two 55 year old employees. Ouch. That isn't cost competitive with my university ins. plan. And there would be medical underwriting I presume, so those rates could go up.

I guess I'm wondering if there is cheap, guaranteed issue insurance available through a group policy somewhere.

[Martha]

Justin, I am impressed by the student health insurance available through NC state university. I went to the web site at http://www.hillchesson.com/ncsu.htm and confirmed that to be eligible you have to either take 9 credits in the fall or be a degree seeking student. There doesn't seem to be any underwriting for medical conditions. The price is great. The risk is that enrollment is only year by year and the rules might change for the following year, as well as the risk of not being eligible for the following year and stuck with no COBRA. Though you do have HIPAA rights.

Interesting.

[justin]

Martha,

I think you've come to the same conclusion as I have. For a historical perspective, the rates and benefits have been comparable for 7-8 years now since I first saw this plan. I was a member a couple years ago under the same plan at UNC. No problems with it. This plan must be atypical, given the response here. I guess that's the problem for those not near Raleigh or Chapel Hill.

I may end up using this plan when the time is right. I hope others might use this idea for themselves. But not too many others, since you might ruin it for me

[sailor]

Interesting thread.
It looks like you need 6 semester hours at Georgia State University, and the cost is $1795 per year (for $25k insurnace) plus $300 for additional $500k insurance.
Not as good deal as in NC, but still good to know.
For details look here:
http://www2.gsu.edu/~wwwdos/wordFile...%208-21-05.pdf

[Martha]

I looked at the University of Minnesota and it appears that you would have to be enrolled in a degree program and take at least 6 credits a semester. No underwriting. You can have summers off. The cost is 680 per semester plus 898 for spouse. No cost for summer if enrolled in the spring. Three million lifetime cap. Have to buy all drugs through the health service pharmacy, but copays are pretty low.

Now I am a dreamer here. I think I could easily get into the masters degree program for a master of liberal studies. Sounds like fun. Go at my own pace. Learn anything I want.

I would think about geting a masters in public policy or public affairs through the Humphrey Institute, but my cousin is a big muckity muck there and that would be ackward.

Or I could go to North Carolina and work with John Edwards at the Center on Poverty.

[haha]

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Originally Posted by Martha Or I could go to North Carolina and work with John Edwards at the Center on Poverty.

I think Greg will try to keep you away from "Johnny Cute". At least I would, if I were him.

Ha

[justin]

I'm so glad I finished up at Carolina Law the year before ole Johnny starting teaching as an adjunct there. Wouldn't want to listen to him for 3 hrs/wk.

Martha,

I'm kind of on the same page with you about going back to school in ER for a master's in liberal studies or something similar. Take whatever you want to. Find out which classes are the most interesting and well taught. Do "study abroad" a semester. Learn a new language. Whatever. It would provide a structured medium to pursue an in depth exploration of some subject area of interest that you never had a chance to look into before in life. I'm sure you could skip a few classes if vacationing got in the way of your academic schedule!

[Martha]

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Originally Posted by HaHa I think Greg will try to keep you away from "Johnny Cute". At least I would, if I were him. Ha

He is a cutey pie isn't he.

[Martha]

One weird thing I saw with the University of Minnesota plan is that the enrollment runs from August 22 to August 20, so there would be two days each year where you are uninsured.

Very strange.

[justin]

Our NC plan is usually Aug 15-Aug 14 or so. Don't think there is any uninsured period.

You two days of no insurance can be easily dealt with by not getting sick or injured during that time.

[Martha]

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Originally Posted by justin Our NC plan is usually Aug 15-Aug 14 or so. Don't think there is any uninsured period. You two days of no insurance can be easily dealt with by not getting sick or injured during that time.

Just crawl in bed and put your head under the covers. Alone.

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Originally Posted by Martha They really allow you to be eligible if you are a part time student?* The university plans I have seen require full time or nearly full time status. Some of these plans have very low maximum benefits.

the school is now full with "foreign" students. well, the way health insurance going. we gonna see a new group of people.

yup, a bunch of grey hairs, old folks.... hey, this make tommy lee looks normal.

[HFWR]

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yup, a bunch of grey hairs, old folks....

Careful, now... I resemble that remark!

[youbet]

"They said as long as you're a "degree seeking" student according to the university, you're eligible to enroll in the health insurance plan.* There is no minimum number of hours."

I think the catch is in the term " 'degree seeking' student."* This is not an informal concept.* It doesn't mean that anyone with the idea they'd like a degree, or a second degree, is a "degree seeking student."* You have to be formally admitted into the school and work out with a counselor a plan to declare a major and meet the requirements for the degree in the major you are are seeking. Otherwise, you are a "special student."* Special students take whatever courses they wish, whenever they wish.

Better check it out.

[Marshac]

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Originally Posted by youbet I think the catch is in the term " 'degree seeking' student."* This is not an informal concept.* It doesn't mean that anyone with the idea they'd like a degree, or a second degree, is a "degree seeking student."* You have to be formally admitted into the school and work out with a counselor a plan to declare a major and meet the requirements for the degree in the major you are are seeking.

This would rule out most Freshmen.

[maddythebeagle]

There is another option people could explore for free health care: PRISON. Something like what martha stewart had would probably be more fun than a lot of college experiences. Meal plan probably better too.

[MRGALT2U]

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Originally Posted by maddythebeagle There is another option people could explore for free health care: PRISON. Something like what martha stewart had would probably be more fun than a lot of college experiences. Meal plan probably better too.

I've tried it (unwillingly). The meals were just awful although the company
was interesting.

JG