Need Health Insurance for Family

Updated on October 07, 2008
A.B. asks from Chandler, AZ
17 answers

WE have insurance through my husbands work that we just got in April. We pay way to much I think for it. The company is now changing insurance and it is now even more! I really need to find Health insurance, not a discount program for the family, me and the three kids. For him to have through work it is only 80 then to add the family on its hundreds more. I know there has to be something out there that is less expensive for us, does anyone know the best way to find out?

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Thank you everyone for all of your great comments. I have a lot of homework to do now!! I will let you all know how it turns out!

Featured Answers

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K.H.

answers from Phoenix on

I have a girlfriend who has a very affordable program for the family with only one deductible for the entire family together. Anyone interested can message me directly and I'll give you all of her contact info.

1 mom found this helpful

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T.C.

answers from Phoenix on

Check out LifeWise of AZ. I'm still on Cigna because I still want to have more kids, but my husband and daughter are on it and it's the cheapest and best insurance we could find. We went through an insurance agent for it. It just doesn't cover maternity.

2 moms found this helpful
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E.M.

answers from Phoenix on

My husband in the same situation as a teacher...it was $700.00 a month more they wanted to cover just my daughter and myself. That was about half his takehome pay.
We made the mistake of using Mega...about $400 a month.
But we moved to Surprise...found Assurant...agent Ron Storch. His own wife is on the plan we chose...$315 a month. Much better. 2,000 deductable...not 5,000 like Mega.
a friend recommended the AZ program for those with no /low income. Even though her husband works...pay is not enough for insurance for her 2 kids...she has to reapply every 6 months but says they are not hard noses about accepting people.

2 moms found this helpful
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K.G.

answers from Phoenix on

We own an insurance agency called Performance Insurance Benefits. Our office is off the 101 and Cave Creek. My husband is an independant broker, which means he can sell any carrier. We specialize in group insurance, but have many of individuals as well. Our website is www.pibaz.com and our office phone number is ###-###-####.

2 moms found this helpful
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M.C.

answers from Tucson on

I hate to tell you this but private insurance is a lot more than through an employer. we are self employed and pay through the roof for anything we get. We have a health savings plan. We have to put 5,000 into the savings account to cover the deductible and then it cost 1,054 quarterly on top of it. This is the cheapest we have found thus far. When we were on an HMO it was 850 a month. The good thing about the health savings is that if you don't have to use your deductible it is rolled over into a retirement fund at the end of the year, but it is still killing us.

1 mom found this helpful
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C.E.

answers from Albuquerque on

Oops, I just saw that you are in AZ so I'm not sure how helpful this will be but I would recommend an insurance agent. they were very helpful. Good luck
Look at the Presbyterian Metro plan. If you go to Presbyterian's web site www.phs.org you can find more information about it. I was paying for my husband and 2 kids through my work and once we got on Pres Metro the price was almost cut in half and now they have vision and dental which we never had through my work. I also spoke with an insurance broker (the one we use at work) and they were very helpful.
C.

1 mom found this helpful
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S.J.

answers from Phoenix on

I was reading through some of your replies, and I agree talking to an independent agent who's not a sales agent for any particular ins company is a good idea. They can break down what will be best for your situation. I also made the mistake of going through Mega. Because of the policy I had, they wouldn't cover an outpatient procedure that was requested by my daughter's doctor! It wasn't like I had the cheapest plan they had! So I figured, if they're not going to cover something small like this, what going to happen next time when its something major? So I chose a new company and canceled them. I went through an independent agent who deals with individuals as well as small companies. He told me about American Community and how everyone who he has signed up with them likes them. I really think it's a good company. But don't just choose a company based on that, check them out and get a quote based on your needs. The company is called American Community. Hope this helps. If you don't choose the one I think is good, that's fine. Just as long as you stay away from Mega! :-) Hope it works out for you! Steph

1 mom found this helpful
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A.*.

answers from Phoenix on

A. B,

I don't know if there is a right answer to this. Health coverage is a major issue right now, and hopefully something will be done when we get a new president.
We pay over $800 a month for insurance then we pay $1000 deductible which has to be met by 3 people (Another $3000) then after it's met we pay 20%. So all in all, every year, no lie, no exaggeration we spend about $20,000 each year (I keep track and use it for tax purposes). Thank goodness my husband is blessed with a good paying job but not every family is like that. $20,000 is half a years income for many. How would they survive? It's ridiculous!
Sometimes it seems not worth paying the $800 a month. I have heard of people just getting major medical which is much cheaper, then just find a doctor or work it out with your current doctor a price per visit, etc. Almost every doctor's office gives cash discounts. Now I don't know if that right for you, I'd work out the figures with the doctor's first.

If you just go straight to an insurance company (without an employer involved) you are going to pay high rates and get less coverage. I've looked into this. They wouldn't cover a number of things so it wasn't worth it. You almost have to get your insurance through an employer to get better rates and coverage. Again, something that is wrong with our nation.

I would do what other moms suggested and call around. See what you can find. You might end up of finding out what I did when I tried to do it, there is nothing better. I don't want to lower your spirits, so please understand, I just want to be realistic. Healthcare coverage and cost is a major major issue in our country; most people I know are just like you and me----paying too much for crappy insurance. Please lets us know how it turns out and what you do, I would love to share you information if I think it will help someone I know. Best of luck.

1 mom found this helpful
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N.S.

answers from Albuquerque on

I have used ehealthinsurance.com in the past. You fill out a brief questionnaire and then they give you quotes for literally hundreds of policies. I'm sure you would be able to find something there that is within your budget. Best of luck.

1 mom found this helpful
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H.A.

answers from Phoenix on

My husband is self employeed so we have to pay for our own insurance. We went with a little less know company called the Golden Rule. They have been around for a hundred years though. Anyway, we have a very high deductible ($10K) but a low monthly payment. That has helped us b/c we don't use the doctor a lot, but we do have to pay for everything until we meet our deductible. The company does "reprice" the bills so we do get a little discount. I'm sure they have other plans as well. Good luck!

F.H.

answers from Phoenix on

HI A., I'm an independent agent selling home, auto, life, health, commercial and more. I can shop all the major health companies for you. I have been in the industry for over 20 years. Let me know if you still need help. I can also save you on your home/auto, which will free up some money to help with the health! F. www.agentlady.com ____@____.com ###-###-####

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G.D.

answers from Flagstaff on

Health care is a tricky situation. You may want to consider voting this presidential election for Obama. It seems like his ideas of attempting to get health care for all is the better of the two.
Good luck..

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S.C.

answers from Phoenix on

Hi A.,

I am newer to Mamasource and saw your posting.

I have an indepedent business and it's health and life insurance.
I am licensed in AZ as well as nationally.

My business has 17 years of experience.

Let me know if I can help.

I hear ya, I have 4 children and it can be $$.

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D.Z.

answers from Phoenix on

Hi A.,

I am self employed with four grown girls. I recently became a member with a company that not only will save your family on medical, but you can travel, (kids are free) and even make residual income while being a stay at home mom. Check out my website denisezuzak.worldventures.biz and or call me.....I have so many exciting things to tell you. A friend of mine has a family of four and is now saving $600 a month and the dad is in pharmaceuticals! Another good friend of mine just became a member just to save on medical for all his employees.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Call me.....D. ###-###-####

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

K.

answers from Phoenix on

I am a mom of 4- ages 24, 20, 4 & 20 months. Congrats on the new bab girl! I am a licensed insurance agent with Insurance Solutions and can get some no obligation quotes for you. I will need some basic info, ages, health history and your zip code to get started. If you are interested please contact me t ###-###-#### or email me. Good Luck !

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A.J.

answers from Tucson on

You might be surprised the cost of insurance. There might be cheaper out there but you have to look at what you are getting for the cost. www.azblue.com will give you a free quote if you sign onto their site. Before I was married and had my own insurance I know I was paying almost 500.00 a month and that was for me alone good coverage though and over 5 years ago. Good luck!

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

H.K.

answers from Phoenix on

Have you tried KidsCare?
With one income and three kids you might qualify...the last time I looked at the tables on the information sent home from one of my kids school, I was quite taken back at the amount of income you can actually have and still qualify.

I don't know what the rule is about qualifying if you have insurance available to you through an employer. There may be a rule about that or something. I know a girlfriend pays $200 a month for KidsCare deductable for the kids and herself and husband. But, she doesn't have insurance available through work. She said she was near the top of the income scale and had to pay a higher deductable than someone towards the bottom...

Anyway, sorry I don't know more but I thought I might throw that out there in case you didn't know about KidsCare verses AHCCCS care.

I feel your pain! We pay $800 a month in premiums and $1300 a month in UNCOVERED perscriptions for my oldest son. Every time I visit the pharmacy I think about the great big house I could have with that extra $1300 towards a mortgage...oh well.

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