[MonkeyMama]

I posted 3 years ago that our rates were jumping to $900/month for our family.

I have personally been committed to keeping private insurance. When I worked for a large employer I was offered really crappy insurance. We have mostly worked for very small businesses (which generally don't offer insurance - ineligible for any group rates, etc.). A lot of people don't understand that those of us with small employers are about the same as self-employed, when it comes to insurance. We tend to shop around every year, but feel extremely comfortable with our private HMO. The prices have settled down a bit in recent years - with the advent of HDHP plans. Sure, I have a few thousand laying around for a deductible. We pay have been paying $500-$600/month the last 2 years - with the HDHP option. My gut feeling is they have made the HDHPs pretty sweet to get people to switch. Then they may "stick it to you." Our out-of-pocket did double for 2010 - not terribly surprised since I Assumed the deductibles and such would increase massively with time. It's just been a nice breather in between.

Anyway, For us, we have gotten GOOD use of our insurer. The more I read, the more I like our insurer. The thing is - the average person - most of whom I know have BIGGER incomes - think it is insane that we pay so much for private insurance. For us, we have certainly gotten our monies worth. As my spouse faces a medical emergency in the following months, I feel extremely grateful we have stayed the course. I don't even mind the insane premiums, since we will save $500k-ish on treatments for my spouse - this year alone. Basically, private insurance will continue to remain a priority in my household. What is a little hard on the pocketbook on one income will be a no brainer when my spouse returns to the workforce (likely in the next couple of years). I used to count down the days until he returned to work and we could get cheaper insurance. Now I count down the days he returns to work so it is no longer so expensive (as % of income) to keep our private insurance. I have no plans to settle for employer or government insurance, unless I have absolutely no choice.

The kicker this year is my 57-year-old father had a stroke and aheart attack. His employer laid him off due to his health problems. He faces potential uninsurance from age 60-65, unless he is able to find a job. He is lucky COBRA lasts 3 years in California. Turns out he has options when he turns 60, maybe. BEfore this he was considering retirement, but couldn't figure out how to afford the private healthcare. He was quoted $30k per year with his "pre-existing conditions," which were *nothing* before all this. I suppose he is forced to retire after all. This has swayed me to stick with private insurance. My insurance doesn't have anything to do with my employment - unless I Can't pay the bills I suppose.