T&T: Health Insurance HDHP

[Jim Barrentine]

At 09:57 AM 7/15/2009, Steve Sipe wrote:
>Our cheap ($266/mo) health coverage that came as a benefit of the 
>Admiral's leave of absence has gone away and left us facing either 
>COBRA at 6 times the cost, or making a change. Since we are both 
>healthy and would spend more in premiums in a month with COBRA than 
>if we paid for our annual health care out of pocket, we are looking 
>at enrolling in a very high deductible ($6K+) health plan and 
>starting up an HSA.
>
>I'd welcome any feedback from those who are cruising and facing the 
>same choice or have made a choice they've found workable.


We went through this six months ago.  We ended up with a Golden Rule 
policy from United Healthcare.  We are 58 & 61 years old.  The 
premium is $500 per month with a $10K in network and $20K out of 
network deductible. The policy includes dental coverage and pays 100% 
for an annual physical.  We are both healthy and have probably not 
spent more than $5000 on doctors in the last 10 years, so the HD 
seemed a good deal to us.

Our home base is Cleveland, OH and if we got really sick we would 
return here.  Since the Cleveland Clinic is in network, it is 
unlikely that the out of network deductible would be a factor.

This is the highest deductible policy they offer.  You can get lower 
deductibles at a higher premium.

I bought mine through an independent agent you sent me quotes from 
three companies.  UH was the cheapest and the one he thought provided 
the best service.

We set up an HSA through our existing bank.  As far as the bank is 
concerned, it's just a checking account.  You self certify that you 
have a HDHP.  We got checks and a check card to withdraw money.

If you want more info or the name of my agent, email me directly.

Jim



Jim Barrentine
Endeavour Trawlercat 36 "Down Time"
11470 Euclid Ave., #404
Cleveland, OH  44106
216-496-2008
N9JKB
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