I haven't ever had health insurance with my current job, been there almost 11 years. Hub has always provided it. Recently he was forced to change jobs and now he doesn't have any either. Our cobra is about up, so we need to buy private insurance. Nobody will take me due to my weight. My only choice is state health insurance which will cost just me twice what it will cost for Hub & son to get insurance.

This made me wonder, what do you guys all do about insurance? I would have to weigh 238 to get on the plan with them. I am trying, but it's going to be a while!

I do without Though, I have an appointment August 3rd with a medical facility that has an in house insurance plan for those that are unable to pay for medical care so I am hoping I qualify.

I have insurance through my dh's work, but also have medicaid for me and my girls through the state which covers anything left over after our primary insurance pays the bill and also covers us if/when dh is laid off. I don't know what your income situation is like, but you could possibly look into that?

Also, if you have to go without (perhaps if you decide to wait to get it until it wouldn't cost so much?), check with the offices and hospitals around you, most have discount plans and payment options for those without insurance.

Its hard. Community clinics if they have them around your area, find a dr who is willing to let you make payments...I didn't have health insurance until fall of last year...went 5 years without it. I really feel for you...its hard. And we made too much money to qualify for any assistance. I hope you can figure out something.

yes, the insurance situation in the US right now is frightening, even with the start of Obama's programs. I went without insurance for years. My job in a very small office didn't provide it until the last years I was there (Blue Cross/Blue Shield). Before I left (and I didn't know I'd be leaving), I got a physical, mammogram and gyn exam.

I changed jobs and just got put on that office's plan (Oxford). It's another very small place, and the coverage is not fantastic. Basically, I try to stay as healthy as possible and hope/pray for the best(!)

It strikes me as completely crazy in a country as wealthy as ours with some of the very best medical facilities and doctors in the world that so many of us have to do without ANY preventative medical care, and that if we should be in need, we have to live with the fear of having any savings wiped out or going wayyyy into debt to cover it.

Hang in there, Sandi!!

Yeah the whole health insurance situation here is pretty screwed up. Obama's plan helps, but we've still got awhile to go. I am lucky in that my dad works for the federal government, so we get good coverage and I can stay on his plan now for another 5 years. to those who are struggling with health insurance.

And call me old fashioned, but I find it very disappointing that you have to be a certain weight to receive coverage. I know the health risks associated with being overweight, but without insurance how can somebody know and attempt to reduce those risks?

Well, the true question at hand is do you go to the doctor often? And do you currently have any major medical problems?

I pay more in insurance premiums in one year than I would actually spend at the doctor's office...typically. But, we have insurance for in the event something happens. Same with my auto insurance, I pay premium after premium and get nothing in return!!

If you think you can get by without going to the doctor for a few months, take the money that you were paying COBRA every month and put it into a special account. Call it your medical emergency fund.

In the event of something catastrophic taking place, go to a state hospital.

We make too much for assistance.

It's going to make us so broke paying for the state comprehensive. But going without scares me to death.

I really don't have too many health problems right now. But I am worried about the "what if", a couple years ago when I got my gall bladder out, I didn't see it coming at all. I know the Insurance will make us broke, but I am afraid that a weeks stay in the hospital might make us more broke.

And you know what's really crazy? A couple years back I tried to get the lap-band and was basically turned down because I was too healthy. At the time, I didn't know I was considered un-insurable. Too healthy for lap-band, but un-insurable. Yeah, that makes sense.

I'm in Canada, so I can honestly say these worries have never crossed my mind. What a stressful thing to have to deal with - hope you get some great answers!

I also am up in Canada, so i dont know how this feels.. but i can imagine its terrifying..
Im sorry your going through this and im sure everything will eventually work it self out..

I'm covered with my parents and still a full-time student, so I'm not overly helpful. But have you looked around and seen if you have a decent clinic with a sliding scale payment option? You might be able to do without if you have other options.

Well, I don't know about your state, but i know that here in Wisconsin we do have a lot of free clinics. I'm honestly not sure on the income level you have to have, but they're still really helpful if you can get to them. They also offer discounted exams and 'procedures' if you need referals for testing (I was very lucky to get into this when I needed to get an EEG last year, i can tell you that!).

Some states are also getting free healthcare now. Wisconsin had open enrollment for the new Badgercare health plan for single adults last year (although they closed after two months or so because they had "too many people apply"--which says something, Wisconsin.). It's pretty fantastic. There's a single application fee, and you get free doc visits, pay a really low fee for meds and "specialist" visits, and the like. No eye doctors though, and only emergency dental. But still, its nothing to cough at. So you could try looking into your state for that.

I am fortunate b/c my job provides our health insurance at no cost to us. My mom had private insurance for a while and it was HORRIBLE. They refused to pay for her visits to her allergist b/c they called it a "pre-existing condition." She canceled not too long after that...said she figured her gynecological visits would be written up as "pre-existing conditions" as well since she's had a vagina all her life. LOL

I guess I am just worried that if I get sick (like cancer sick) I'd lose absolutely everything.

Sandi, that can happen even if you have insurance, sad to say.

I'd suggest you try for the state insurance if you are so scared it's keeping you awake at night. Another possibility would be to go to an insurance agent/broker who isn't tied to a single company, and see whether they can possibly find you anything. I've known people who were able to find insurance this way when they couldn't on their own. But make sure that the insurance will be accepted by your local providers before you sign up--and that it doesn't cost more than the state insurance. Also make sure it's a real insurance company, and not just a "trust" that doesn't pay anyone until it gets the money from premiums.

Good luck!

Jay