Q on medical benes---his vs mine

iVillage Member
Registered: 12-12-2004
Q on medical benes---his vs mine
3
Fri, 05-12-2006 - 8:43pm
Hi, All. Am asking informally, sort of a poll, but how many of you are covered individually by your company's benes and how many have benes thru spouse? As someone suggested, when DH gets aboard his new job, I am SERIOUSLY considering getting on his benefit system. Of course, it will be the standard 3-month wait, etc., but unlike my company, there is a choice. For those of you who are covered under spouses' or SO plan, anything to be aware of? Good or bad experiences? Thanks. Whiz.
Avatar for endomagazine
iVillage Member
Registered: 11-09-2004
Fri, 05-12-2006 - 10:00pm

Hello,


When my DH was laid off, I changed my medical insurance to include him. It's provided through my employer. Once he found another job with benefits, he signed up for his own plan and I removed him from mine. It's more expensive for me to be on his, or he be on mine as a spouse, than it is for each of us to be covered individually by our workplace, but if you don't have the choice of signing up at your own workplace, I would definitely get you added to your DH's.


Honestly, take a look at the plans available and choose the most economical one for your needs. If you already visit doctors that are "in network" and don't plan to have any unusual surgery (like I have, a laparoscopy once every year for 5 years) then you could choose an HMO plan. I personally would choose the 90 / 70 PPO type of plan (if available) so that I can choose the doctor I visit, even if the doc is "out of network".


Sincerely,
Lindsey Schocke

Geeks on Tap: Mission Accomplished

iVillage Member
Registered: 12-12-2004
Sat, 05-13-2006 - 10:15am
Hi, Lindsey and thanks for your experience. To clarify, my insurance at my workplace offers only one choice of insurance (and either PPO or HMO), and the doc offices are run like clinics--limited office hours, closed on different days, shared office space with a rheumatologist and podiatrist, etc. I have just not seen this arrangement nor had problems with access, timely payments, etc. until I got this insurance. Many of my co-workers have opted out and got on their DH's plans (military, teachers, etc.) because of the insurance problems. I didnt realize it would be more expensive to be covered on one plan---maybe I'm naive or misinformed, but I always thought there would be economies of scale to be on a group insurance plan. Should know more in a few weeks if DH's plan is the way to go. Thanks for your input. Whiz.
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-15-2005
Sat, 05-13-2006 - 3:47pm

Double check that if you sign up for his and DROP yours, that you still have coverage.


When I was still working my company's insurance worked this way.

Jennifer