I need to buy individual health insurance in Cali. where can I find good value?

[monica93304]

Hello everyone.  I'm struggling through this economy with no health insurance. I had County insurance under the Medical Indigent Assistance (MIA) but the service is so bad that I decided to let it expire.

I have high blood pressure and have slowly run out of meds.  I've been doing some online calculator quotes on Aetna for instance, but don't understand the terminology. I've only had 2 jobs in my life that offered health insurance and that was over 10 years ago. I'm surprised I haven't died yet!

I think I can afford about $150 per month.  I don't think that I can get any HRT covered for that kind of money, but I plan on getting that through Dr. O'Dea in LA on my own.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated. I guess I might have to see a local broker if I can't do it direct with the HMO.   

Hugs,

Monica.

[Beep]

Sorry, I don't know much about these things, but if the economy is bad where you live, maybe you should move.
That's the only advice I can give you. Sorry.

[Michelle.]

For $150 a month you could see a PCP\GP/internist type doctor on an out of pocket basis. You can always fill your 'scripts under Target/WalMarts $4 a month plans.

Generally speaking, how healthy are you?
How much does a "hospitalization/catastrophic"plan cost in your area?

[cadeliara@yahoo.com]

You might want to look at a copay plan from Kaiser Permanente.

I have been with them for years and when my GD and such came up, they are covering my therapy, endocrinologist and my meds (premarin/spiro).
Now I am on one of the more expensive copay plans (300/month w. 25/copay for doc visits and 10/prescriptions) but you can get less expensive plans more in your price range with a slightly larger copay that WILL cover everything trans related except for surgery.

I have to say, the doctors are all top notch that I have been seeing and the service has been second to none. I was pretty blown away.

I don't know where you live specifically but I go to the Kaiser on Sunset Blvd by the Scientology center (shudder) and my endo is the one that just so happened to start the trans clinic at the USC med center, my therapist has been working with people like us for nearly 20 years and so forth.

If you want their names or any other info, just pm me.

[monica93304]

Sorry, I don't know much about these things, but if the economy is bad where you live, maybe you should move.
That's the only advice I can give you. Sorry.

Not really the question I was asking, but thanks.

You might want to look at a copay plan from Kaiser Permanente.

I have been with them for years and when my GD and such came up, they are covering my therapy, endocrinologist and my meds (premarin/spiro).
Now I am on one of the more expensive copay plans (300/month w. 25/copay for doc visits and 10/prescriptions) but you can get less expensive plans more in your price range with a slightly larger copay that WILL cover everything trans related except for surgery.

I have to say, the doctors are all top notch that I have been seeing and the service has been second to none. I was pretty blown away.

I don't know where you live specifically but I go to the Kaiser on Sunset Blvd by the Scientology center (shudder) and my endo is the one that just so happened to start the trans clinic at the USC med center, my therapist has been working with people like us for nearly 20 years and so forth.

If you want their names or any other info, just pm me.

Jaded, thanks for the response.  I live in the southern San Joaquin Valley (Bakersfield).  Most of the people I know around here like Kaiser. I will look into it.  BTW, I lived in Hollywood from 1990-1996 right across the street from the Scientology Celebrity Center on Bronson.   

For $150 a month you could see a PCP\GP/internist type doctor on an out of pocket basis. You can always fill your 'scripts under Target/WalMarts $4 a month plans.

Generally speaking, how healthy are you?
How much does a "hospitalization/catastrophic"plan cost in your area?

Hi Michelle. I'm generally healthy other than being overweight.  But hopefully with the HRT I will begin to lose a lot of it.  I don't know what kind of money I need for a "hospitalization/catastrophic"plan  to be honest. 

BTW, I received a direct phone call from my future endo (Dr. O'Dea) in response to the email I sent on Sunday evening.  He was really nice and very encouraging. 

[Michelle.]

That's great that a potential future doctor of yours called back directly.

On a side note I was bit shocked earlier today. A $600 lab bill was knocked down to $100 because of insurance. That's a discount of 85%. With the ins co covering about $90.

[monica93304]

That's great that a potential future doctor of yours called back directly.

On a side note I was bit shocked earlier today. A $600 lab bill was knocked down to $100 because of insurance. That's a discount of 85%. With the ins co covering about $90.

Yes, I'm very excited about this doctor.  I can't wait to meet him and embark on my journey once and for all. 

In my email, I asked if he needed for me to bring blood work and said that I didn't have to worry about it. Asked questions about my health in general and made it seem that I will get some help with the proper HRT in order keep my High BP under control as well as the weight.