# Should I get healthcare? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [September 15, 2010, 1:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-get-healthcare/553840 "2010-09-15T13:16:44Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 18\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Eva\_Luna](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/e495f1/32.png) [@Eva\_Luna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eva_Luna)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2010, 12:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-get-healthcare/553840/21 "2010-09-16T00:10:51Z")
> [@Tanaqui](#): > > I don’t have a car, but yes, I do understand that something terrible can happen at any time. The question is, is the tiny chance of something like that happening really worth $1000? I had catastrophic type insurance for the past year (when I was living in Japan) and that does seem like the best bet. It didn’t even occur to me that I could look at other companies besides my university… a local hospital offers what seems to be a fairly decent plan with a high deductible ($1000). Health care costs are so insanely high that I doubt anything that happened to me would cost less than that, so it seems fair enough. > > > [@](#): > > > > Call an insurance agent and ask about temporary health insurance. We have a son in his early 20’s and for six months of high deductible insurance it was under $300.00 total, for 6 months. That would keep you protected against a major illness or injury until you can get back on your parent’s insurance. > > That’s a good idea. If you don’t mind me asking, did you just call your own health insurance people or did you search the internet or what, to find that kind of deal? > > I’m also going to talk to my parents about it–they both, ironically (?) enough, work in health care. Please get yourself something; some kind of temporary high-deductible policy sounds like your best bet, and shouldn’t be expensive. I once tried to save a few bucks by not doing that for the one month I didn’t have coverage at a new job (my old employer was too small - 8 people - for me to be eligible for COBRA coverage). I broke my leg on Day 28, and the first 48 hours of coverage until the new work policy kicked in cost me about $4500 - and that was in 1997! If it hadn’t been for the work policy covering preexisting conditions, I would have been out about $100k and had to declare bankruptcy - for a broken leg. (OK, it wasn’t an ordinary broken leg; it ended up requiring 4 rounds of surgery and contless hours of physical therapy, and even so, I’m probably an ankle replacement candidate down the road. But all the same, no auto accidents, head injuries, etc. were involved - it was just one of those freaky things.) ---
**Author:** ![MN\_Maenad](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e95f7d/32.png) [@MN\_Maenad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MN_Maenad)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2010, 8:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-get-healthcare/553840/22 "2010-09-16T20:07:00Z")
Also, if one of those random things happens in the intervening 3.5 months, when you go on your parents’ covering in January, it may be classified as a “pre-existing condition”, and you’re screwed. I know the new laws are supposed to have some effect on that, but I wouldn’t bet my health on it. If you have no gap in coverage, they have less standing to reject you. Get something cheap just to cover an emergency. It’s kind of like homeowner’s insurance - the chances are very low that you’ll need it, but once you do, it’s huge. ---
**Author:** ![Superhal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b4bc9f/32.png) [@Superhal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Superhal)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2010, 9:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-get-healthcare/553840/23 "2010-09-16T21:01:17Z")
That student health plan sounds ludicrous. For 12 months, that’s like 2.5k. When I was a student, it was available for 400/semester. ---
**Author:** ![Shot\_From\_Guns](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ccd318/32.png) [@Shot\_From\_Guns](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shot_From_Guns)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2010, 9:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-get-healthcare/553840/24 "2010-09-16T21:05:10Z")
> [@Tanaqui](#): > > There also may be a lesser health care provided by the university, which I could register for, and which costs about $150 a month. This, or some other temporary insurance, is almost certainly your best bet until you can get back on your parents’ insurance. Could you go without insurance for a few months and be fine? Almost certainly. But on the off chance that something does go wrong, you are looking at tens of thousands of dollars in charges–and that would be a pretty light bill. When I was 25, I was a healthy young woman with no prior medical conditions. I’d never even broken a bone. And then, out of nowhere, I had a pulmonary embolism–a blood clot in my lung. If I hadn’t had insurance, I would have had one hell of a bill to pay off; and that’s with me only in the hospital for a couple of days, and my hematologist \*giving \*me about $2k worth of drugs (a two-week supply) when my Rx insurance wouldn’t pay for any of them until my separate Rx deductible was met. > [@](#): > > but apparently my parents can’t add me until January, the next “application period.” Under normal circumstances, you can’t make any changes to your plan until annual enrollment. However, in the case of a “qualifying event” such as marriage or a birth, you can make changes regardless of what time of year it is. You should definitely contact the insurance company to verify whether or not you can be added now–moving back into the country sounds to me like it might be a QE. And if the insurance provider still says no, check to see if the organization that the parent who carries the insurance works for has an employee advocacy service who might be able to verify what qualifies as a QE, and/or lean on the insurance company. > [@Wilbo523](#): > > Shouldn’t the thread title be: Should I get health insurance? Unfortunately, in the U.S., health insurance \*is \*pretty much synonymous with health care. ---
**Author:** ![Shot\_From\_Guns](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ccd318/32.png) [@Shot\_From\_Guns](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shot_From_Guns)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2010, 9:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-get-healthcare/553840/25 "2010-09-16T21:09:57Z")
> [@MN\_Maenad](#): > > Also, if one of those random things happens in the intervening 3.5 months, when you go on your parents’ covering in January, it may be classified as a “pre-existing condition”, and you’re screwed. I know the new laws are supposed to have some effect on that, but I wouldn’t bet my health on it. IIRC, it’s only changing in 2011 for children under 19. The exclusions aren’t eliminated for everyone until 2014. It’s possible that there may also be different timelines for grandfathered vs. non-grandfathered plans. ---
**Author:** ![Omar\_Little](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/omar_little/32/269_2.png) [@Omar\_Little](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omar_Little)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2010, 9:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-get-healthcare/553840/26 "2010-09-16T21:53:36Z")
> [@Shot\_From\_Guns](#): > > > [@Wilbo523](#): > > > > Shouldn’t the thread title be: Should I get health insurance? > > Unfortunately, in the U.S., health insurance \*is \*pretty much synonymous with health care. I beg to differ. There are lots of people in the US that get health care without having insurance. That’s part of the problem that has caused the rising costs of health care in the US and what has led to the passage of the recent legislation requiring us all to obtain health insurance. ---
**Author:** ![Shot\_From\_Guns](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ccd318/32.png) [@Shot\_From\_Guns](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shot_From_Guns)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2010, 10:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-get-healthcare/553840/27 "2010-09-16T22:00:56Z")
> [@Wilbo523](#): > > There are lots of people in the US that get health care without having insurance. Care that bankrupts you cannot be said to be care that you truly have access to. ---
**Author:** ![Omar\_Little](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/omar_little/32/269_2.png) [@Omar\_Little](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omar_Little)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2010, 2:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-get-healthcare/553840/28 "2010-09-17T02:58:52Z")
> [@Shot\_From\_Guns](#): > > Care that bankrupts you cannot be said to be care that you truly have access to. 😕 What does that have to do with the difference between “health care” and “health insurance”? They are still not the same. Nice try in making this a debate about the recent health insurance legislation. ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2010, 7:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-get-healthcare/553840/29 "2010-09-17T07:42:26Z")
Get the temporary insurance. If you find yourself needing a full policy after school then it is important that there isn’t a gap in your coverage. ---
**Author:** ![rbroome](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/838e76/32.png) [@rbroome](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rbroome)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2010, 3:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-get-healthcare/553840/30 "2010-09-18T03:27:55Z")
> [@Tanaqui](#): > > I don’t have a car, but yes, I do understand that something terrible can happen at any time. The question is, is the tiny chance of something like that happening really worth $1000? I had catastrophic type insurance for the past year (when I was living in Japan) and that does seem like the best bet. It didn’t even occur to me that I could look at other companies besides my university… a local hospital offers what seems to be a fairly decent plan with a high deductible ($1000). Health care costs are so insanely high that I doubt anything that happened to me would cost less than that, so it seems fair enough. > > > [@](#): > > > > Call an insurance agent and ask about temporary health insurance. We have a son in his early 20’s and for six months of high deductible insurance it was under $300.00 total, for 6 months. That would keep you protected against a major illness or injury until you can get back on your parent’s insurance. > > That’s a good idea. If you don’t mind me asking, did you just call your own health insurance people or did you search the internet or what, to find that kind of deal? > > I’m also going to talk to my parents about it–they both, ironically (?) enough, work in health care. looks like 6 months of high deductable insurance is your best bet. Get covered. We got our daughter coverage in the same situation. cost about $400 for us. Our regular insurance agent was able to find a policy. And remember one reason for those crazy rules about waiting until January is to keep people from waiting until they feel sick and then running out to buy insurance. But if you show continuous coverage, you stand a better chance at the next life style change. ---
**Author:** ![CanvasShoes](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/74df32/32.png) [@CanvasShoes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CanvasShoes)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2010, 4:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-get-healthcare/553840/31 "2010-09-18T04:42:17Z")
You are 25 and you want your mom and dad to continue to carry you? As someone else said, there are affordable health insurance plans out there. And there are a ton of options to help you raise your income to afford it. Such as; roommate situations, a second job, the aforementioned loan from your parents. Not fun or comfortable maybe, but at least grownup. And as others have said do NOT “go naked”. I was fine and dandy until my gall bladder gave up the ghost a few years ago and I had to have an emergency surgery. That in turn started a snowball effect with some other health issues. Thank goodness I had health insurance. Unlike 8 years ago when I seriously shattered a few bones in my leg and am still paying off the surgeries. ---
**Author:** ![Tanaqui](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/3bc359/32.png) [@Tanaqui](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tanaqui)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2010, 4:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-get-healthcare/553840/32 "2010-09-19T16:03:49Z")
> [@CanvasShoes](#): > > You are 25 and you want your mom and dad to continue to carry you? As someone else said, there are affordable health insurance plans out there. And there are a ton of options to help you raise your income to afford it. Such as; roommate situations, a second job, the aforementioned loan from your parents. Not fun or comfortable maybe, but at least grownup. Why would I pay $250 a month when my parents can add me to their coverage for free? :rolleyes: Trust me, my parents will get plenty of their money back from me when they are old and doddering. Plus I already have a roommate and I am not allowed to get a job when receiving a fellowship. And it’s only for half a year. Thanks everyone–I appreciate the advice. I’ve decided to go with a temporary high deductible plan from the local hospital. It only costs about $60 compared to the $250 or $150 plans and I can keep it for just 4 months, instead of 6, like the school ones. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Boyo\_Jim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/87869e/32.png) [@Boyo\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boyo_Jim)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2010, 6:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-get-healthcare/553840/33 "2010-09-19T18:47:16Z")
> [@Duckster](#): > > Look on the bright side. At your age you have a lifetime ahead of you to pay off the medical bills because you wanted to save a few bucks until January. But your lifetime might be only six months because you didn’t get an examination until it was too late. But that’s ok – the best way to die is heavily in debt. ---
**Author:** ![Shot\_From\_Guns](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ccd318/32.png) [@Shot\_From\_Guns](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shot_From_Guns)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2010, 7:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-get-healthcare/553840/34 "2010-09-20T19:28:09Z")
Good luck with the HDHP, **Tanaqui**! Hopefully you won’t need it at all. > [@Wilbo523](#): > > Nice try in making this a debate about the recent health insurance legislation. I gave concrete information and suggestions in reponse to the OP. You gave… an attempt to nitpick the difference between “health care” and “health insurance.” So, which one of us do you think deserves your sarcastic “nice try”? ---
**Author:** ![septimus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/septimus/32/410_2.png) [@septimus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/septimus)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2010, 7:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-get-healthcare/553840/35 "2010-09-20T19:56:38Z")
Just dropped by to say … I don’t know the answer! It’s a gambling decision. One way you’ll probably end up hundreds of dollars richer but possibly … end up very sorry. > [@Cosmic Relief](#): > > Hello car accident… goodbye life savings. What if you have little or no savings; does the Emergency Room then get your future earnings? Can you “hide” your savings? You’d want these answers before making your decision. > [@Incubus](#): > > … let’s say you faint/feel dizzy and some good samaritan calls an ambulance to take you to the hospital. Whose gonna have to pay for the $1000 ambulance ride? You are, probably. Sounds like quite the idea for a prank on an uninsured person. 😃 Is this scenario valid? If so, do Americans suspect that maybe their system is imperfect? I live overseas, uninsured, have had some procedures including a coronary stent for far FAR less than what insurance premiums in U.S. would have added up to. I’ve no plans to visit America: minor medical incidents would cost hundreds of dollars. Another stent, which would cost at least ten times what I paid here at a superb hospital used by American companies, would definitely “spoil my day.” ---
**Author:** ![Kiyoshi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/e19adc/32.png) [@Kiyoshi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kiyoshi)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2010, 8:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-get-healthcare/553840/36 "2010-09-20T20:07:25Z")
$250 per month for healthcare? How can anyone in America afford to live? ---
**Author:** ![overlyverbose](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/9dc877/32.png) [@overlyverbose](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/overlyverbose)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2010, 8:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-get-healthcare/553840/37 "2010-09-20T20:28:07Z")
> [@Kiyoshi](#): > > $250 per month for healthcare? How can anyone in America afford to live? I’m guessing you’re being sarcastic. $250 is unfortunately a student rate. The HDHP I had with my husband cost us $750 a month, even with a $5,000 deductible. So we were paying that, plus the $450 a month my prescription of seizure meds cost me while we were paying off the deductible. So about $1150 a month at least, $400 of which was one prescription (not including “unnecessary” meds like birth control and prescribed supplements to keep my seizure meds from destroying my liver or a baby’s spinal cord should I become pregnant). ---
**Author:** ![Drain\_Bead](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e47774/32.png) [@Drain\_Bead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Drain_Bead)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2010, 1:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-get-healthcare/553840/38 "2010-09-21T01:07:11Z")
Counting taking the Bar exam and waiting for results (a six-month process) it was nearly a year after my student insurance ran out before I was eligible for benefits through a job. I got the cheapest health insurance I could find–80-20 coverage with a $1000 deductible. Thanks to that, I paid only $6500 for my appendectomy, instead of nearly $30,000. Get the insurance. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-get-healthcare/553840.md?page=1)