Replies

1. 
   Guest_ | Dec 04, 1999 05:17am | #1

   *
   Kim,

   WOW.......that is one BEAUTIFUL table.

   Unfortunatly I have no info on cheap insurance. If you check the Breaktime Archives, I believe that subject may have been covered before.

   Just wanted to say that I really like your work.

   Ed. Williams

2. 
   Anonymous_MD | Dec 04, 1999 08:21am | #2

   *
   Kim,

   I am a physician who has dealt with insurance companies and managed care for more years that I care to think about. Hopefully, with the expectation that I can keep anonymous, I'll share with you my observations.
   Avoid joining professional organization health insurance or other insurance plans. You can get better prices and coverages on your own. I would try an insurance broker. Although I hate most insurances, I myself have Blue Cross, which ironically wouldn't add me as a provider because it had too many physicians. Blue Shield was another option, but given my circumstances, I could get away with less coverage (and therefore lower premiums) with Blue Cross.
   Remember, with health insurance, like anything else, you get what you pay for. So if you want to join the HMOs, eg Kaiser, CIGNA, FHP, Prudential, etc, stay well.
   Another factor to consider is whether your MD/ob-gyn/pediatricians are contracted and will STAY contracted with the insurance plan. Managed care, let's say, can kick MDs off panels almost at will. I've left out a lot of inside information and horror stories, but if you follow my advice, you should do fairly well. Oh, and by the way, any time a doctor refuses to give you a referral to a specialist or run an expensive test, challenge him/her with the questions, "is there a financial incentive for you not to refer me?" and "why not? What's the standard of care/" I don't care about the doc's feelings, it's your health and life at stake.
   Finally, read "The House of God" by Sam Shem; you'll never see doctor's the same way. Watch or read John Grisham's "The Rainmaker," too.

   An honest MD

3. 
   Guest_ | Dec 05, 1999 11:11pm | #3

   *
   Kim: Try ehealthinsurance.com for some rates & plan descriptions to help you decide what you need. you can even sign up for a plan thru them.

4. 
   Kim_Carleton_Graves_-_Carleton_W | Jan 04, 2000 11:55pm | #4

   *
   Hi Guys,

   I'm a one/two man shop in Brooklyn, NY looking for health insurance. Are there professional groups that I can join that offer group rates? Any leads would be appreciated.

   Thanks,

   Kim Carleton Graves

   Carleton Woodworking