My new health insurance bill.......

[Grumpier Than Uncle Joe]

is $1080. per month per person........the old was $862.

So should I thank Blue Cross, the PA Insurance Commissioner, or Obamacare, or any combination of the above?

I don't know how a small business with a lot of employees could ever pay for decent coverage.

[Grumpier Than Uncle Joe]

is $1080. per month per person........the old was $862.

So should I thank Blue Cross, the PA Insurance Commissioner, or Obamacare, or any combination of the above?

I don't know how a small business with a lot of employees could ever pay for decent coverage.

Blue cross.  

...in response to having cover everyone regardless of the condition of the applicant.

That's why I can't get it cheaper ........when the apps for UPMC, the regions second largest provider, were medically underwritten, the price was higher.   So I guess pre-existing conditions are a factor....

Mrs. M3 and I are not in poor health either.

[Grumpier Than Uncle Joe]

Well I'm in the insurance business (property/casualty) and yes, the Commissioner certainly approves these rates, but I'm with States in wishing I wasn't restrained from crossing state lines to look for coverage.

And let's be honest........I don't care what the exact provisions of the health care bill are.......the Companies will find a way to screw you if you're not in perfect health.

I can't risk losing coverage.

[Grumpier Than Uncle Joe]

Grumpy, seriously though, why is yours so much higher? I have the same insurance as you and mine is just under 400$ a month for a family of five.

States I don't know what coverage costs in other states.....I do have top of the line coverages.......maybe I got the Cadillac plan tax?

I buy it through a Chamber of Commerce Group........I contacted the SMC (Small manufacturing council).....they're rates are the same......identical.

The cheapest BCBS plan in the group now is $862 but coverage is so horrible I'd never buy it.

And, like I said, UPMC is higher, and so is Keystone Health Plans (a BCBS subsidiary) ......

So you got me......

[Grumpier Than Uncle Joe]

Ha ha what the hell? Everything I've had is only for around $100 a month, not that I have any because I don't spend $100 a month on medical expenses anyway so it doesn't work in my favor.

My daughter's policy is $141. a month but it's sh**t coverage in case of a serious hospitalization.....it really doesn't cover anything.  But she's 28 and healthy.

[Grumpier Than Uncle Joe]

Hey WillK, maybe prices wouldn't be as high if companies could compete across state lines.

Good thing the health insurance reform act allows them to do so then.

But when does that provision take effect, Lief?

[Grumpier Than Uncle Joe]

What makes me really angry is the lack of time to shop for something else.  My renewal date is June 30 and we have to have paperwork for the new plans in by June 2.......god knows how long the other plans would take to approve the applications.

Next year I'll be shopping early.......

[Grumpier Than Uncle Joe]

What do you mean 'per person'?  Are you employing people?

In any case private insurance is basically worthless whatever the price, as it doesn't offer any security.

We have 4 employees.

[Grumpier Than Uncle Joe]

We have 4 employees.

Who is 'we'?  You mean like a nanny and gardener?  And Cook and the driver?

His firm.

I'm a self-employed insurance agent........the dying small business owner, opebo.