Affordable health insurance - between jobs
Hi BPN.
Recently relocated and don't have a job with benefits. Recommendations for affordable health insurance? A quick google seemed to suggest Kaiser was most affordable - though around $850 a month for a family of three (with no existing health conditions).
Thanks in advance.
Jul 30, 2020
Parent Replies
I have been in your shoes. In recent years, Blue Cross/Blue Shield have been more competitive in pricing. However, Kaiser has centralized services that make lab work and pharmacy cheaper. With Kaiser, I’ve had to be insistent upon specific items after surgery. They are thorough, but I was my best advocate. The same applies for weekly mental health therapy; don’t expect to be reimbursed. Kaiser relies heavily on medication. You’d have to have a serious mental health crisis for them to refer you to an MFT.
Good luck!
Did you check ACA for CA?
https://www.healthforcalifornia.com/covered-california?gclid=cjwkcajwsan5braoeiwalzomxyzyexrgwbf1cykayooaip6eytvyqzyomt2fr21rcmmdccmytmvo7rocemeqavd_bwe
Covered California (https://coveredca.com/) is open for enrollment now - when I researched health insurance last year they had the best prices, although we ended up not going that route (ended up getting Kaiser directly through Kaiser like you're considering because it's the next best cost-wise - it is literally 10x the cost of what CoveredCA would have been for us, though).
I’m wondering if you may qualify for a Medicaid plan? Or could try the health exchange? I was in a similar spot before and qualified for a subsidized plan that helped cover some of that cost for the premium.