BIG speed bump in our road

**khaski** · 01-05-2011, 04:20 PM

When hubby was hired by his company 5 or so years ago, one of his 'perks' was fully paid health ins. for our whole family. Well, his boss can no longer afford it, so he is now only going to provide it for hubby and I, not our kids. It is a small company, maybe 6-8 employees, the other guys just have their kids on the 'Healthy Kids' insurance one can buy into in our state, if they qualify. You get it free or pay in $32, $54, or $205 a month per child for health and dental insurance, his coworkers all pay the $32 a month.

That would be fine EXCEPT my hubby makes a higher wage than most there, AND owns his own business, we are not clear if we will qualify for this program, and if so, at what buy-in amount. $32 or $54 we can do, but $205 x 2 kids is not within our reach. Our other option is to pay the diff. to his company- almost $400 a month to keep the kids on the insurance there. At that point might as well pay the $410 through the program for 2 kids (if we qualify) and at least have lower co pays and dental too...our current insurance (anthem) is not great and has high co-pays, but at least it's something.

The kids' insurance ends 2/1, our application for the Healthy Kids goes out tomorrow and can take 45 days to process. We are looking at having a gap of them being uncovered, OR having to figure out another $400 a month expense, which I do not know how we'll do. I understand why his boss had to change this, ins. costs have risen 20% a year, but I wish he had given us the courtesy of a heads up this might happen even 3 weeks or a month sooner so we could get this application in sooner.

We JUST 2 weeks ago made our last car payment of $278 a month, and that was a stretch for us, but we got it paid of 2+ years early. It feels like we took a great leap forward with our money, only to be shoved 2 giant bounds backwards. We just have to wait and see how our application goes, but in the meantime, it's STRESSFUL not knowing how much we'll have to pay or if we'll even qualify!

I know I just have to wait it out, nothing more to do on my end, but as a 'control freak' with a plan for everything, having this MAJOR detail in life up in the air is NOT sitting well with me!

**krbshappy71** · 01-05-2011, 05:22 PM

Just to throw a bright side your direction, thank goodness you HAD just made that step forward. Look what a better position you are now compared to 3 months ago with that payment off your head?

Ugh to being in the "earn too much for this, and not enough for this" bracket. Hugs.

**nodmicks** · 01-05-2011, 05:51 PM

I'm sorry to hear about this happening to you. BTDT I hope it all works out for you. If you need ideas of any thing you may be able to cut from the budget the village is great. I know it helped me to have mine picked apart and examined at one time.

**mauimagic** · 01-05-2011, 05:53 PM

That is a rough one to digest. Signs of the challenging economy everywhere.

**erinalexmom** · 01-09-2011, 11:08 PM

So sorry you are dealing with this

we are also having health insurance issues right now. its stressful and I also dont like uncertainty: I get major panic attacks over it! So no advice but hugs and sympathy.

**PurpleSnowflake** · 01-10-2011, 02:00 AM

**joyofsix** · 01-10-2011, 06:46 AM

Hugs to you. In our state there is a sort of intermediate insurance for people in this position. You pay (so not like medicaid) but it's cheaper. At the least look into catastrophic insurance. We used that for years. Yes you have to pay and it doesn't kick in until over about $5000 but IF something horrible happens you won't be sunk. Best of Luck!

**Lora88** · 01-10-2011, 08:04 AM

I feel your pain dh is covered by his company but we have to pay 98.00 week for me Ds has his own insurance 157.00 per month it is more of a emergency insurance only 3 doctor isits a year but the hospital part is good He is only 21 and healthy so this works for him I know everyone health insurance will be going up been reading about it online all week

**Nana2two** · 01-10-2011, 10:54 PM

Depending on what state your in. Don't get nervous if they send you a letter and say you do quilify but don't have insurance at the moment. Most states will back date 90 days prior. My daughter is on the Healthy Kids. We are self employed.

**dancemommy** · 01-10-2011, 11:00 PM

We are self employed and pay $1000 a month for health insurance- icky. My husband is a small business owner and the cost of health insurance for small businesses is outrageous. In order to keep employees these days something has to give unfortunately. While it does stink, you were lucky to have that insurance while you did. We looked at several different options for insurance and ended up on a single policy through an agent. We also looked at doing the healthy kids type program for our kids in our state and met all of the qualifications BUT our kids had to be UNINSURED for 6 months in order to qualify. We weren't willing to risk 6 months with no insurance. $1000 hurts, but no other options right now. Good luck!

**madhen** · 01-11-2011, 01:06 AM

Considering that your husband has been on for a while, would his boss consider keeping your kids on insurance for another 30 days, to help bridge that gap? May be worth asking.

**khaski** · 01-19-2011, 07:25 PM

Update- just heard today- while we qualify income-wise for a the 'silver' buy in ($30 or $50 something a month, per child), we are rejected...because our kids have had insurance in the last 6 months. They would waive this requirement IF my hubby were laid off, or IF the employer gave NO ONE insurance (adults only covered now, no family plans for anyone). So, we can let our kids go uninsured for 6 months (not gonna happen!) or pay OOP for whatever it's gonna be- last figure was almost $400 a month. Hubby has 2 talk to boss later this week....hoping they will cover at least -some- of it, they thought we could just get on this other program since some of the coworkers somehow were able to (in the last few years, not recently).....them covering our family health insurance was part of the bargain he offered hubby to get him to work there originally. Haven't had raises in a few years, to take an almost $100 a week pay cut like this now is gonna be TOUGH. May have to take 4 yo ds out of preschool a few months early....that would give us $160 a month to put towards this. We will figure it out, but a REALLY bad blow to us, or so it feels.

It may be silly, but I almost feel like we're being punished for being responsible people who handle our money and responsibilities pretty well- 'Well, you qualify based on income, and we understand they can no longer get insurance through hubby's work, but since you've been keeping your children in health insurance thus far, no soup for you!'

**Menifeemom** · 01-19-2011, 08:52 PM

That just stinks! The system really needs to change so it helps those who help themselves and are truly trying. I hope the boss is able to help.

**luminajd** · 01-19-2011, 09:09 PM

That REALLY sucks and I can see how you feel the responsible ones are punished. Good for you for seeing having your kids go 6 months without insurance is not an option. I hope his boss will cover some of the costs! But in my opinion to pay $400/month to have everyone covered (since the boss is paying for you and your DH), is actually a pretty good price, depending on the actual coverage.
Hope it all works out and good for you for paying off the vehicle quickly!

**lisaflex** · 01-19-2011, 09:12 PM

wishing you the best of luck

have you looked into (just a thought here) children only coverage? not a good way to go, but, at least they will be covered. get them a straight forward 1000 ded 70/20 plan and then get you and dh a 5000 deduc? these are just thoughts...

hope you are able to work it all out.