prepared to pay Health Insurance after job loss?

Joan.of.the.Arch · #1 (**permalink**) 01-24-2007, 08:12 AM

I wonder how many of you are prepared to pay for health insurance in the aftermath of a job loss. I have not set aside enough to make COBRA payments to retain the workplace connected insurance, and I have no idea what insurance would cost us privately. I know it's a risk.

Elgin526 · #2 (**permalink**) 01-24-2007, 08:16 AM

I know we aren't prepared to pay COBRA, but then we really wouldn't have to. If I lost my job, I'd be covered under my husbands work plan, and same in reverse. We'd both have to lose our jobs before we'd have to pay COBRA to continue coverage.

tinapbeana · #3 (**permalink**) 01-24-2007, 09:24 AM

DH and i are in the same position as elgin, so i've decided to not be as concerned about it.

PrincessPerky · #4 (**permalink**) 01-24-2007, 10:02 AM

well cobra or self insured would cost about as much as most medical 'emergencies' so you might find it cheaper to plan on paying for it and keeping the money earning interest while you look for a job instead of getting insurance. For us the cost is over 1k a month (family) and that is 1K for lousy coverage.

This is assuming short term, if you are looking at long term get something, a broken leg wont break you to go into debt for, but cancer will, ofcourse how anyone would know they had cancer without going to a Dr is beyond me ... and no going to a Doc for any cancer like symptoms before you sign up for that oh so expensive insurance!

vsjhoc · #5 (**permalink**) 01-24-2007, 10:16 AM

I went on COBRA coverage for 4 months for at least $500/month (for an individual). I heard it went up this year to something even more ridiculous. I would never go without health insurance.

Daylily · #6 (**permalink**) 01-24-2007, 12:05 PM

I am on Cobra right now and it is pricey.
The first month was $642 for employee plus one. The second month started a new year so of course the premium went up. It is now $786 a month.
My former employer is paying me for the first four months of Cobra as part of my separation agreement. In addition, because I am eligible for TAA/TRA assistance, I will be able to claim a 65% Health Coverage Tax Credit for six months, so I'll get some of that back at the end of the year.
Even if I didn't get this extra assistance, I would still be able to afford it out of my emergeny fund.