just turned down health insurance from my employer

G_j

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Wed Sep-30-09 12:09 PM
Original message

just turned down health insurance from my employer

because I can't afford that, and rent, and keeping a car on the road, never-mind eating etc.
You get one chance a year to sign up. I will be turning 58 in two weeks.
Hope I make it to 59, without having to see a doctor!

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alfredo

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Wed Sep-30-09 12:11 PM
Response to Original message

1. Are you a veteran? If you are, sign up at the VA. You will need to show

your last year's earnings and a DD 214.

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G_j

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Wed Sep-30-09 12:16 PM
Response to Reply #1

2. I'm not

I understand the VA is quite good though.

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alfredo

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Wed Sep-30-09 01:14 PM
Response to Reply #2

13. It sure is. Socialized medicine works.

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LuvNewcastle

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Wed Sep-30-09 12:23 PM
Response to Original message

3. Hope you stay healthy.

Too many people are having to make choices like yours. It's a sad reality for such a rich country.

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undeterred

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Wed Sep-30-09 12:25 PM
Response to Original message

4. How much did your employer want from you?

I understand turning it down because I've had to do the same thing.

Employers used to charge about $80 a month for a single person but it would be decent insurance. But I've also had employers who told me the job had benefits but it turns out they charged $500 per month for a single person and they did not pay any portion of it.

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G_j

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Wed Sep-30-09 12:33 PM
Response to Reply #4

8. it's really not too bad

only about 150 a month.
But I really need the dental right now, so I kept that.
The problem is, after three years of taking care of the developmentally disabled, I'm still only making 8 dollars an hour.
The rents here are very high.

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bertman

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Wed Sep-30-09 12:39 PM
Response to Reply #8

9. $8 AN HOUR!! That is criminal. No one can live on that. At least, not where I live.

Maybe you will be able to get on the "possible, but not totally real" public option when it gets passed and goes into effect in 2013. In the meantime, don't get sick.

Of course I'm being sarcastic about that.

I feel for you, G_j. And I hope you stay healthy.

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4lbs

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Wed Sep-30-09 12:51 PM
Response to Reply #8

11. A morally right and much needed job like yours deserves $20 an hour pay at least.

Meanwhile, we have a whiny NFL football rookie who is holding out because he didn't get that $42 million contract he wanted. He was offered "only" $40 million. :eyes:

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madrchsod

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Wed Sep-30-09 01:38 PM
Response to Reply #8

14. my wife is making around 11 an hr at a private/ public facilty here in illinois

her decent insurance is less than 150 a month. the place where she works is always looking for help and they are union!

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NashVegas

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Wed Sep-30-09 12:25 PM
Response to Original message

5. If Romney-Care Goes National, You'll Get Fined For That

Just fyi.

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kenny blankenship

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Wed Sep-30-09 12:31 PM
Response to Original message

6. Insurance Bandit!

Edited on Wed Sep-30-09 12:37 PM by kenny blankenship

There's a new Sheriff in town, and he will teach you the proper respect for the good man who sells health insurance and whiskey and women down at Diamond Jim's Saloon. You will get in line and place your money on the wheel like everyone else. You will drink Jim's whiskey and you will get clap from his whores. And you WILL pay him your ~~protection money~~ insurance premiums on time, or else.

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lady lib

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Wed Sep-30-09 12:32 PM
Response to Original message

7. Is there a catastrophic health insurance plan

Edited on Wed Sep-30-09 12:45 PM by lady lib

you might afford?

Just wondering.

On Edit: Your post #8 basically answered my question. I'm sorry that your circumstances are so challenging right now.

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wolfgangmo

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Wed Sep-30-09 12:50 PM
Response to Original message

10. I own a medical clinic

And I can't get medical insurance because of a pre-existing condition. This is at any price. As the owner I am not able to take part in the group covereage offered to our employees, so my spinal injury is very real and very uncovered.

So although I work with doctors I can't afford to see one. Luckily for me I get free advice, but if I ever need a test or expensive procedure then I am screwed. And if I get in another car accident or the like, then I am screwed because the last one took every bit of money I have saved and flushed it down the ER toilet.

I am a living irony.

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G_j

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Wed Sep-30-09 04:33 PM
Response to Reply #10

15. irony

and an unhappy one. This kind of thing just shouldn't happen.

Interestingly, I often bring my "clients" to doctors, sometimes for very expensive tests.
I get to talk w/ doctors quite often, but about others.

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nashville_brook

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Wed Sep-30-09 04:35 PM
Response to Reply #10

16. omg -- do i ever sympathize

i worked for an ad agency that handled just about all of the healthcare-related accounts in upper east tenn, and they didn't offer insurance. so, while i crafted multi-million dollar ad campaigns (cost of the creative plus media buys plus production) i couldn't visit any of the hospitals/doctors we worked for.

that was years ago, but i still can't get over the feeling.

been without insurance as recently as last year -- i have a spinal condition too. constant/chronic pain. it's a bitch.

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LiberalAndProud

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Wed Sep-30-09 12:54 PM
Response to Original message

12. Don't worry. In 7 years you'll qualify for Medicare.

We (over 55) are at the perilous end of the health insurance spectrum. Insurance companies don't want us unless we are willing to work 5 months of each year to pay their ridiculous premiums. Stay healthy G_j.

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