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Okay. That's a big step.
Jun. 25th, 2004 06:22 pmOne of my three basic requirements in choosing which state to move to was the availability of health care coverage at a price I could pretend to afford. In Minnesota, I was covered by a state plan that's made available to people who are turned down for health care on an individual basis. When I first started looking, I limited my search to states that had similar plans, wanting to *know* that I'd be able to get insurance no matter what.
While the Minnesota plan served a high-risk pool (even though I met my deductible only one of the 13 years I was on the plan), and the cost supposedly included a 25% surcharge on normal individual rates, the premium cost was downright low compared to charges elsewhere. If I'd moved to Iowa and been covered by the state plan there, my monthly premium would have tripled, which knocked Iowa right out of the running. Connecticut had a state plan, but I never found out what its rates were. Massachusetts didn't have a state plan, but that turned out to be because it doesn't need one. Massachusetts has a law that requires insurers selling individual policies to accept *everyone* who applies for non-group coverage. And if you've been covered by another plan within 63 days of when you apply, they have to waive the 6 month pre-existing condition clause that otherwise applies.
Pre-existing conditions aren't an issue for me. The only one I have is sleep apnea, and that's not the sort of thing that requires new care on an ultra timely basis. At least, not at the low level affecting me. But I was still glad to know that my Minnesota coverage meant I wouldn't be subject to a pre-existing condition clause.
Massachusetts and Connecticut each have another law in my favor. It allows self-employed people to buy insurance at small group rates rather than individual rates. I've just joined the Massachusetts Business Association ($125/year) and enrolled in a better Harvard Pilgrim plan than the Harvard Pilgrim non-group plan costing over $125/*month* more. The new plan takes effect July 1st and I've already made an appointment with my new doctor for a checkup this fall.
It's better coverage for my current health care needs and habits than the Minnesota plan was. While it does cost more that what I was paying last year, it's the *same* price as the 2004 Minnesota rates that would apply after my birthday next month. I just looked that up, thinking the price difference was something under $50/month, which, in terms of health insurance, is unfortunately down in the noise. Nope. The Massachusetts plan is one cent/month more. Not one percent. One Cent. Color me delighted. Better yet, there's an open enrollment period each year, so I can change plans to fit my health care coverage needs as they change.
Have I mentioned that I really like it here recently? Yep, I do.
While the Minnesota plan served a high-risk pool (even though I met my deductible only one of the 13 years I was on the plan), and the cost supposedly included a 25% surcharge on normal individual rates, the premium cost was downright low compared to charges elsewhere. If I'd moved to Iowa and been covered by the state plan there, my monthly premium would have tripled, which knocked Iowa right out of the running. Connecticut had a state plan, but I never found out what its rates were. Massachusetts didn't have a state plan, but that turned out to be because it doesn't need one. Massachusetts has a law that requires insurers selling individual policies to accept *everyone* who applies for non-group coverage. And if you've been covered by another plan within 63 days of when you apply, they have to waive the 6 month pre-existing condition clause that otherwise applies.
Pre-existing conditions aren't an issue for me. The only one I have is sleep apnea, and that's not the sort of thing that requires new care on an ultra timely basis. At least, not at the low level affecting me. But I was still glad to know that my Minnesota coverage meant I wouldn't be subject to a pre-existing condition clause.
Massachusetts and Connecticut each have another law in my favor. It allows self-employed people to buy insurance at small group rates rather than individual rates. I've just joined the Massachusetts Business Association ($125/year) and enrolled in a better Harvard Pilgrim plan than the Harvard Pilgrim non-group plan costing over $125/*month* more. The new plan takes effect July 1st and I've already made an appointment with my new doctor for a checkup this fall.
It's better coverage for my current health care needs and habits than the Minnesota plan was. While it does cost more that what I was paying last year, it's the *same* price as the 2004 Minnesota rates that would apply after my birthday next month. I just looked that up, thinking the price difference was something under $50/month, which, in terms of health insurance, is unfortunately down in the noise. Nope. The Massachusetts plan is one cent/month more. Not one percent. One Cent. Color me delighted. Better yet, there's an open enrollment period each year, so I can change plans to fit my health care coverage needs as they change.
Have I mentioned that I really like it here recently? Yep, I do.
