Cuyo
Training a Guineapig army
THIS GUY ^^^ Right here, as of May 1, will have health coverage for the first time in nearly a decade. Myself, along with 2 full time employees, have enrolled in Geisinger HMO.
![woohoo :woohoo: :woohoo:](/styles/smilies/woohoo.gif)
Mom's gonna be so happy.
Two things have shocked me about this transaction-
1. Incredibly cheap; Much cheaper than expected. Geisinger obviously offered the best plans but even the Aetna/Amerihealth/Blue Cross proposals were much, much lower than what I was poised for. Granted, we're young (28, 26, and 25) and in good health; Although myself and one other smoke cigarettes. The plan is $500 in network, $1000 out of network deductable, 100% insurance beyond deductible, $20 prescription, $20 office visits, $40 specialist. HELLUVA lot better than what Katie gets through her massive employer. Anyone care to venture a guess what it's going to cost?
2. Incredibly silly regulations. I don't know if this is Geisinger policy or law, but I _MUST_ offer health insurance to all full time employees or none, and each employee _MUST_ pay an equal amount, regardless of whose health is running up the premium, and I _MUST_ contribute the same percentage as the employer for each employee, unless I 'Classify' - Which would be a tough bill to sell with a company of 5 people.
This seems to be not only counter-productive (forcing avoidance of older/less healthy people for fear of skyrocketing everyone's premiums), but ultimately pointless. There's nothing about salary in the regs, so I can adjust salaries accordingly - Why force the dog and pony show?
This should not under any circumstances be interpreted as diverging from my single payer advocacy, but I must say I and the other two were extraordinarily pleased with the low cost, and displeased (more me than them) with the regulations.
Thoughts?
![woohoo :woohoo: :woohoo:](/styles/smilies/woohoo.gif)
Mom's gonna be so happy.
Two things have shocked me about this transaction-
1. Incredibly cheap; Much cheaper than expected. Geisinger obviously offered the best plans but even the Aetna/Amerihealth/Blue Cross proposals were much, much lower than what I was poised for. Granted, we're young (28, 26, and 25) and in good health; Although myself and one other smoke cigarettes. The plan is $500 in network, $1000 out of network deductable, 100% insurance beyond deductible, $20 prescription, $20 office visits, $40 specialist. HELLUVA lot better than what Katie gets through her massive employer. Anyone care to venture a guess what it's going to cost?
2. Incredibly silly regulations. I don't know if this is Geisinger policy or law, but I _MUST_ offer health insurance to all full time employees or none, and each employee _MUST_ pay an equal amount, regardless of whose health is running up the premium, and I _MUST_ contribute the same percentage as the employer for each employee, unless I 'Classify' - Which would be a tough bill to sell with a company of 5 people.
This seems to be not only counter-productive (forcing avoidance of older/less healthy people for fear of skyrocketing everyone's premiums), but ultimately pointless. There's nothing about salary in the regs, so I can adjust salaries accordingly - Why force the dog and pony show?
This should not under any circumstances be interpreted as diverging from my single payer advocacy, but I must say I and the other two were extraordinarily pleased with the low cost, and displeased (more me than them) with the regulations.
Thoughts?