Health insurance

Lakegeezer · 01-12-2016, 09:43 AM

There aren't many options for healthcare plans in NH. Anthem is the most popular, but all of its plans use in-state doctors for its in-network claims. You can't pick a doctor in Boston, for example. Emergencies are covered nationwide. Maine Community is about 20% more expensive (in my case) and has a nationwide network of doctors. However, they announced that they will stop offering coverage in NH as of next year, and may stop as early as this week, when the open enrollment ends. Other options are either way more expensive or very limited in their network of doctors.

Also of note, if you look at plans outside the healthcare.gov exchange (NH has no exchange), you will find plans with similar benefits are more expensive - so it is cheaper to just go with the federal exchange, bite the bullet and hope you don't get sick.

luvthewarmth · 01-12-2016, 10:00 AM

Lake.. Thank you for the information. It is so sad that healthcare is such a worry and financial burden these days. I will continue to investigate our options.

dpg · 01-12-2016, 11:40 AM

Looking at your user name I'm surprised your calling NH home.

8gv · 01-12-2016, 11:48 AM

Wifey and I just did this.

On the NH healthcare exchange site we were able to see many plans.

We first eliminated companies with which we had no familiarity.
Next we compared the types of plans, copays and deductibles.
The last step was to see who had the most and "best" doctors in their network.

We decided on Anthem BCBS which coincidently was our carrier in CT.

One of our concerns was how any pre-existing conditions might affect our cost.
The web site gives an estimated cost and suggests that the real cost may be different based on your details. We braced for the worst possible impact of our imperfect health status.

The difference was about $1.

The whole experience was easy.

Our plan covers only in network providers. If I get sick on a trip, just shoot me!

SteveA · 01-16-2016, 06:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by luvthewarmth

Lake.. Thank you for the information. It is so sad that healthcare is such a worry and financial burden these days. I will continue to investigate our options.

You need to vote for Berni! Medicare for all is his plan! It sure would tick off all of the big insurance companies.

rsmlp · 01-16-2016, 07:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SteveA

You need to vote for Berni! Medicare for all is his plan! It sure would tick off all of the big insurance companies.

Yes! And "free" college education and "free" housing and only the wealthy will pay! UTOPIA!

christo1 · 01-16-2016, 08:01 AM

"The problem with socialism is that eventually you run out of other people's money [to spend]."

Margaret Thatcher

secondcurve · 01-16-2016, 06:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by christo1

"The problem with socialism is that eventually you run out of other people's money [to spend]."

Margaret Thatcher

Christo1: Spot on buddy. You are obviously a smart guy/gal. Bernie would be a disaster for this country. Why can't folks understand this?

01-12-2016, 09:43 AM	#1
Lakegeezer Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Moultonboro, NH Posts: 1,677 Blog Entries: 1 Thanks: 354 Thanked 639 Times in 290 Posts	ACA options There aren't many options for healthcare plans in NH. Anthem is the most popular, but all of its plans use in-state doctors for its in-network claims. You can't pick a doctor in Boston, for example. Emergencies are covered nationwide. Maine Community is about 20% more expensive (in my case) and has a nationwide network of doctors. However, they announced that they will stop offering coverage in NH as of next year, and may stop as early as this week, when the open enrollment ends. Other options are either way more expensive or very limited in their network of doctors. Also of note, if you look at plans outside the healthcare.gov exchange (NH has no exchange), you will find plans with similar benefits are more expensive - so it is cheaper to just go with the federal exchange, bite the bullet and hope you don't get sick. __________________ -lg

01-12-2016, 10:00 AM	#2
luvthewarmth Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2016 Posts: 8 Thanks: 4 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Lake.. Thank you for the information. It is so sad that healthcare is such a worry and financial burden these days. I will continue to investigate our options.

01-12-2016, 11:40 AM	#3
dpg Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 2,595 Thanks: 153 Thanked 229 Times in 166 Posts	Looking at your user name I'm surprised your calling NH home.

01-12-2016, 11:48 AM	#4
8gv Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Posts: 2,094 Thanks: 64 Thanked 744 Times in 478 Posts	Wifey and I just did this. On the NH healthcare exchange site we were able to see many plans. We first eliminated companies with which we had no familiarity. Next we compared the types of plans, copays and deductibles. The last step was to see who had the most and "best" doctors in their network. We decided on Anthem BCBS which coincidently was our carrier in CT. One of our concerns was how any pre-existing conditions might affect our cost. The web site gives an estimated cost and suggests that the real cost may be different based on your details. We braced for the worst possible impact of our imperfect health status. The difference was about $1. The whole experience was easy. Our plan covers only in network providers. If I get sick on a trip, just shoot me!

The Following User Says Thank You to 8gv For This Useful Post:
luvthewarmth (01-13-2016)

The Following User Says Thank You to SteveA For This Useful Post:
Scott's Yott (01-16-2016)

01-16-2016, 08:01 AM	#7
christo1 Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 45 Thanks: 142 Thanked 14 Times in 11 Posts	"The problem with socialism is that eventually you run out of other people's money [to spend]." Margaret Thatcher

The Following User Says Thank You to christo1 For This Useful Post:
ishoot308 (01-16-2016)

The Following User Says Thank You to secondcurve For This Useful Post:
Grandpa Redneck (01-16-2016)