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1. bsmomma
   Member Profile

   

   Hello!! I am looking to find some health insurance. We're a small family business. We don't visit the doctor often AT ALL! But it would be nice to get a check up and have piece if mind. :) Any recommendations?????

   Posted 4 months ago #         

2. luckymom30
   Member Profile

   Scroll to Washington State listings there are several insurance plans and companies listed

   http://www.nasro-co-op.com/health/directory.shtml

   Posted 4 months ago #         

3. jissy
   Member Profile

   Try Ashley @ 206-933-0100, think he has plans for individuals and seniors.

   Posted 4 months ago #         

4. hammerhead
   Member Profile

   

   Good luck it is all very expensive. Mine just went up 100.00 per month. I have an average deductible, but the higher the deductible the lower the monthly rate. I have lifewise, to me there really is no difference in coverages.

   I do have AFFLAC as a back up since I am self employed as I can not get L and I.

   Good luck

   HH

   Posted 4 months ago #         

5. hooper1961
   Member Profile

   group health high deductible plan is what I use. runs about $420/month and includes some dental.

   Posted 4 months ago #         

6. JoB
   Member Profile

   and do you provide that to your employees hoop?
   because that sounds like a group rate to me

   Posted 4 months ago #         

7. kgdlg
   Member Profile

   

   I believe hoop has volunteered in earlier posts that he pays his employees $16-17 an hour with PTO benefits, no healthcare. He contends that there are "afforadable" options in the market for his employees.

   Hoop, correct?

   Posted 4 months ago #         

8. hooper1961
   Member Profile

   currently I have one employee that I pay for their health insurance. the other employee is part time as needed and i do not pay for their health insurance.

   Posted 4 months ago #         

9. JoB
   Member Profile

   ahhh.. then the rate you quote as an individual rate is actually a negotiated rate available to business groups?

   Posted 4 months ago #         

10. hooper1961
    Member Profile

    no i did not go through any business group. i use Group Health high deductible plan

    Posted 4 months ago #         

11. JoB
    Member Profile

    hoop..

    you use group health high deductible plan for individuals ...

    that is a plan that is sold on the open market to any individual who applies for it?

    oh wait.. silly me..

    a high deductible health insurance plan that is sold to any individual who applies for it doesn't exist until the no pre-existing conditions exclusion kicks in on Obamacare... does it?

    Posted 4 months ago #         

12. hooper1961
    Member Profile

    I applied for the high deductible plan by Group Health and was accepted. So yes High Deductible Plans do exist for individuals and families.

    i anticipate the cost of the plan i have to go up dramatically in 2014 due to obamacare (any wager on this JoB?). it already went up 14% in 2012 (I inquired and about 8% of the 14% increase was due to added mandates). is this fair?

    Posted 4 months ago #         

13. JoB
    Member Profile

    hoop..

    i know high deductible plans exist...
    i also know they aren't available for everyone
    and certainly not at the price you quoted..

    LOL..it's nice that the health care insurance industry has Obamacare to blame for it's price increases...

    to what do you attribute the steady increase prior to Obamacare?

    Posted 4 months ago #         

14. hooper1961
    Member Profile

    my insurance price is $414/month I just wrote the premium check

    insurance increases are due to general inflation and cost shifting by medical providers trying to get whole due to non paying patients.

    Posted 4 months ago #         

15. Lena
    Member Profile

    

    We have a high deductible plan through Regence. $306 a month for both my husband and I. We are both middle aged. Yes, this is an individual plan. I don't really expect it to cover anything but serious emergencies but the price is right and if something large happens we will only be out $22,000 at most.

    Posted 4 months ago #         

16. JoB
    Member Profile

    hoop..

    " cost shifting by medical providers trying to get whole due to non paying patients."

    ROFLOL... and exactly how "whole" do you think they need to be hoop?
    I am guessing you would feel whole at half their profit margin
    especially if you could grant yourself a CEO's salary.

    Posted 4 months ago #         

17. JoB
    Member Profile

    Lena..

    you do realize that $22,000 is more than some of the people who post here make in a year?

    because that is $22,000 a year, isn't it?

    And do you have a premium and coverage guarantee if you end up needing that coverage?

    Posted 4 months ago #         

18. Lena
    Member Profile

    

    Not saying $22,000 would be easy but much better than losing our house and being in debt for the rest of our lives. Yes, I think the health care system is very sick and I would happily pay more (either in taxes or in premiums) if it meant everyone could have decent coverage.

    Posted 4 months ago #         

19. JoB
    Member Profile

    Lena..
    i agree... even after Obamacare... it's still broken
    i think it's time we demanded a fix

    Posted 4 months ago #         

20. hooper1961
    Member Profile

    JoB

    I agree with you the current system and Obamacare and the system is still broken.

    The disagreement is over how to fix the system in a manner that is equitable (socializing is not equitable low risk (controllable items) people should pay less than high risk people with appropriate flattening) and makes sense.

    Basic preventative procedures, inoculations et al are not the system cost drivers. The cost is a myriad of issues:

    - fee for service in lieu of outcome
    - bad health habits of people (smoking and cannot be said (but it is a huge driver of cost)
    - over use of services by the lucky ones with generous benefits
    - excess overhead at insurance companies
    - people who do not pay for services provided
    - and the simple issue that there are a myriad of treatments that are horrendously expensive with poor outcomes.

    The above are a few items.

    Posted 4 months ago #         

21. JoB
    Member Profile

    hoop..

    you keep bandying about that word equitable

    i would settle for something that actually works and that we can afford...

    if your health insurance was replaced by a plan that covered preventative care 100% and had a copay of say $20 for doc visits and maybe $100 for ER for the same amount you are paying right now..
    would you go for it even though your premium would be called taxes?

    Posted 4 months ago #         

22. hooper1961
    Member Profile

    JoB - if it was basic services possibly. And then people could buy insurance for the high cost low outcome type of procedures. In other words a line would need to be drawn somewhere, basics and insurance for high cost specialty drugs and procedures et al. Also co pays for each doc visit.

    Also people who do not take care of themselves should be dinged some how. Maybe add a tax to junk food and pop similar to taxes on cigarettes to help pay for the basics.

    Posted 4 months ago #         

23. JoB
    Member Profile

    hoop..

    so.. even if you paid no more than what you pay today
    you wouldn't agree to anything more than basic services..
    and if people needed anything more than that they would have to either be able to pay for it or die

    this isn't about money is it?

    Posted 4 months ago #         

24. maplesyrup
    Member Profile

    

    Back to the topic at hand...

    When I needed to do this for my company I contacted a broker who found a plan through AWB. (Note I'm not endorsing AWB's political activities.)

    There are also other group negotiated plans through city business associations and trade associations. You pay a small dues fee to join and then can buy into their group plan.

    I would suggest you contact a broker (it doesn't cost you anything) and ask them to help you. I'd be happy to provide my broker's information if you need it; she's great.

    Posted 4 months ago #         

25. hooper1961
    Member Profile

    JoB - it's about equity and cost control. And I find it highly unlikely I will be paying no more than what I pay today in the future. Obamacare is going to raise the cost greatly due to too few cost controls and removing risk costing in insurance premiums.

    And back to the topic - contact Group Health for pricing.

    Posted 4 months ago #         

26. JoB
    Member Profile

    hoop..

    if the only thing you hear is what you think you already know
    then you are unlikely to ever discover what is and isn't true.

    i think
    therefore it is
    is not a valid argument

    Posted 4 months ago #         

27. JoB
    Member Profile

    hoop..

    so back to health insurance..

    you think that everyone should have health insurance
    and you cite your ability to procure high deductible health insurance as evidence that everyone can afford insurance.

    how high a deductible do you think an individual with a pre-existing condition would have to have to obtain any kind of health insurance at your rates?

    because you do know that health insurers can still deny insurance due to a pre-existing condition .. don't you?

    and pre-existing conditions are apparently of the well it could happen to you variety since health insurers are now denying healthy live organ donors because if they got sick it would be more difficult for them to recover.

    too bad so sad for them?
    they should never have been stupid enough to allow themselves to get sick?
    or stupid enough to donate even part of an organ to someone else so they could live...

    i sincerely hope that works out for you hoop..
    but odds are it won't.

    Posted 4 months ago #         

28. hooper1961
    Member Profile

    JoB - all I know is that Obamacare is going to significantly increase cost of insurance for millions of low risk insured people. As high risk folks get insurance in 2014 at the same rates as low risk people. Insurance cost for low risk people will increase dramatically. This is blatantly unjust.

    From what I understand smoking is the only risk factor and some age factoring in the insurance pricing. This leaves out a huge controllable factor (that cannot be stated) that is one of the largest contributors to health care cost. This unnamed factor must be included in the risk costing, without it's inclusion unjust cost burden is added to low risk people.

    ps: many many people live their entire lives without any major illness especially people who get recommended sleep, eat well balance diets, maintain appropriate weight and exercise.

    Posted 4 months ago #         

29. kgdlg
    Member Profile

    

    I have this image of Hoop hanging over his desktop, chain smoking cigarettes, with one hand in a fast food bag, drinking a high fructose corn syrup soft drink. We hate in others what we see in ourselves. Best piece of advice a college friend ever gave me. Always gives me pause before criticizIng the behaviors of others...

    Posted 4 months ago #         

30. hooper1961
    Member Profile

    i do not smoke cigarettes, i do not drink pop, i eat my veggies, i avoid high fructose corn syrup and salt and i exercise and eat a well balance diet kgdlg.

    yes in my late 20's and through my 30's i was overweight by more than 70 lbs. in my late 30's i made a commitment to lose the extra weight that required that i stop drinking beer, no sweets, more weight lifting, and watch what i eat. losing the weight took perseverance and dedication.

    Posted 4 months ago #         

31. JoB
    Member Profile

    hoop...

    would it surprise you to learn that i don't smoke any substance and never have..

    or that i don't drink
    and haven't had a single drink of alcohol for over 20 years..

    or that i get my 8 hours of sleep every night
    i rise with the morning and am seldom up past 9PM

    i don't do drugs.. not even the legally prescribed kind if I can do without them

    i eat a balanced diet and watch my calories like a hawk..
    i read the ingredients list on every single food item i purchase...
    with one notable prescribed exception,
    if it has high fructose corn syrup or artificial sweeteners or chemical additives, i don't consume it.

    for the first half of my life i was a dancer, hiker, runner, biker and rugby player...
    now i exercise as much as my body will tolerate..

    Yet.. stuff happens and there you go.
    Stuff happens hoop..
    no matter how well you take care of yourself.

    but you keep whistling in the dark
    and blaming others for their misfortune.

    it won't save you
    but you keep whistling anyway

    Posted 4 months ago #         

32. hooper1961
    Member Profile

    job - many people smoke, do not exercise, eat crap, and then get diabetes or some other ailment. why should people who exercise, sleep 8 hours, don't smoke pay more for health insurance to compensate for the latter folks?

    yes i know shit happens some smokers live to be a hundred and an exercise health nut can fall over dead. but the law of averages dictates that these are the outliers. and insurance premiums needs to be based on sound principals. people who do not take care of themselves need to pay more for insurance than those that do; it is only fair. insurance cost needs to be based on risk

    Posted 4 months ago #         

33. hooper1961
    Member Profile

    
    

    Posted 4 months ago #         

34. JoB
    Member Profile

    hoop,

    take a look at the bottom line for the health care industry..look at the total industry... including actual medical delivery and administration ... what the CEOs make, what the profits are..

    then take a look at the GMO industry
    and the high fructose corn syrup industry
    and the chemical additives for your food industry
    and the rollback of pollution standards set in the 60s

    and then tell me again that people making poor choices
    is what drives your health care costs up

    bullies pick on the little guy hoop

    Posted 4 months ago #         

35. hooper1961
    Member Profile

    JoB - once again there are a number of contributing factors involved including people with bad health habits. And I have already acknowledged problems with delivery and CEO costing and unhealthy food choices.

    Why don't you acknowledge that people who make bad health choices ought to pay more than those that do? Think of it as a stick to foist better choices that would result in lower use costs on the system and thus reduced insurance cost for everyone.

    Posted 4 months ago #         

36. JoB
    Member Profile

    hoop

    I am all for sin taxes..

    but, i don't believe it's my place to decide who does and doesn't make bad health choices...

    I use cocacola.. one of those foods you claim are bad... to help control my energy levels throughout the day.

    I gave it up because i don't like drinking high fructose corn syrup but i had real problems controlling my energy...

    my doctor told me to go back to drinking cocacola so i could stay out of bed.

    I eat potato chips to control medication induced nausea ... another "bad" food.

    If you saw me buying either would you assume that i didn't care about my health?

    someone else i know has to consume fat to keep her phosphorus levels down.

    if you saw her choosing the full fat alternative would you assume that she didn't care about her health?

    the assumption part of the equation is what makes a fool out of people who think they know better than you about your choices every time

    Posted 4 months ago #         

37. hooper1961
    Member Profile

    JoB - I never said it was my decision. All I said is that those people who make bad choices should be required to pay more for their health insurance. people that get speeding tickets pay more for car insurance; but using your logic they ought to pay the same premium as someone who doesn't have tickets.

    Posted 4 months ago #         

38. hooper1961
    Member Profile

    JoB - I never said it was my decision. All I said is that those people who make bad choices should be required to pay more for their health insurance. people that get speeding tickets pay more for car insurance; but using your logic they ought to pay the same premium as someone who doesn't have tickets.

    Posted 4 months ago #         

39. JoB
    Member Profile

    hoop..

    the biggest problem comes when you define "bad choices"
    what is a bad choice for your health might well be a good choice for mine..

    there are a good many lifestyle choices you might make because you perceive them as healthy that i would avoid because of the possible risk of injury...

    should you pay more if you engage in sports?
    what if you run where it is not well lit?
    or ride a bicycle or motorcycle?
    and what about the increased risks of water sports?

    how about a health insurance bump for the safety rating of the car you drive?
    or if you own or live in a home with more than one story?

    and what about genetic predispositions hoop?
    should an individual have to pay more because they might become ill with a genetic disorder?

    the beauty of universal insurance is that all of those risks are spread over a much larger population and therefore cost individuals less..

    Posted 4 months ago #         

40. service dog academy
    Member Profile

    

    JoB, you are arguing with a person who will never understand illness/injury/disability until it happens to him.

    Posted 4 months ago #         

41. JoB
    Member Profile

    hoop..

    i am pretty sure screw you is one of the things you aren't allowed to say to anyone here...

    you can say screw your ideas
    or you can counter my argument
    but hurling personal insults is a no no

    and referring to weight by calling it "the other major factor, cannot be identified but is under a persons control (been there myself)", isn't just bending the rules but crosses the line.

    i am pretty sure you haven't been where i am hoop or you wouldn't make blanket statements that assume you know everyone else's reality.

    your assumptions are getting in the way of your intellect hoop...

    Posted 4 months ago #         

42. miws
    Member Profile

    

    

    Posted 4 months ago #         

43. hooper1961
    Member Profile

    JoB - i believe that people have some personal responsibility for their own health (controllable items) and those that do not take care of themselves ought to pay more for insurance than those that do take care of themselves. The fact is obesity is a huge problem in this country and is very costly to the health care system. i was obese and made the choice to lose the weight and have successfully kept it off via denying myself sweets, beer and other high caloric foods and exercise.

    and why is frank discussion on a major health issue not open for debate? and for you Job to continue to deny this fact is not being reasonable.

    Posted 4 months ago #         

44. WSB
    Member Profile

    

    I didn't get flagged but just happened onto the rulebreaking post.

    Repeated rulebreaking means a member has no interest in being able to continue participating in the community.

    Posted 4 months ago #         

45. hammerhead
    Member Profile

    

    Well I called Ashely above and he was very helpful.

    I will actually be switching insurance companies and saving $150.00 per month

    HH

    Posted 4 months ago #         

46. JoB
    Member Profile

    hoop..

    and i pointed out that there are lot of behaviors that increase your risk of needing health insurance that are socially acceptable

    if we are going to play that game, lets go for the real risks..

    a recent study showed that women who were obese by current medical standards were healthier than women who were underweight..

    the trouble with assumptions is that they are not always based on facts.

    Posted 4 months ago #         

47. dobro
    Member Profile

    

    "...if we are going to play that game, lets go for the real risks..."

    I think the real risk is being stupid enough to keep pi**ing on the floor of the host after you've been repeatedly warned.

    Posted 4 months ago #         

48. JoB
    Member Profile

    well there is that :)

    Posted 4 months ago #         

49. jissy
    Member Profile

    bumping for Sonoma

    Posted 3 months ago #         

50. Kevin
    Member Profile

    I posted the following link in the thread that Somoma started.

    http://westseattleblog.com/forum/topic/health-insurance-for-freelancers?replies=4#post-398547

    Posted 3 months ago #         

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