Individual Health Insurance Options Notebook

Table of Contents(Prices as of 4/11/01)

Health Insurance Provider Costs for family of four, age 48

( Deductibles and coverages vary for each plan !! )

Aetna U.S. Healthcare$544.90/month

1-888-229-6499

BC/BS - Cobra$882.00

1-800-457-3397

BC/BS - Complete Care- Family$346.70

1-800-206-2583- Couple$210.60

- Individual$100.00

BC/BS - Hospital, Surgical, & Major Medical $110.04 – $916.15

1-800-876-7639

Hospital ExpensesPreferred Benefits (standard for reduced)

Medical/SurgicalPlan 100 or Plan C

Major Medical

Special Care Program

BC/BS - Keystone Blue HMO$577.80

1-800-867-4006

BC/BS – Vision$99.00

1-800-541-2039

BC/BS - Children's Health Insurance Program (Income Based)

1-800-543-7105

Medical Assistance – HealthChoices (Income Based)

(HMO’s - Best, Gateway, & MedPLUS)

1-800-485-5998

Medical Assistance - Behavioral Health Services (Income Based)

Allegheny County 1-888-251-2224

UPMC (only offers Group Insurance Programs, none for individuals)

Appendix

BC/BS Physician's Directory 2000

Typical Low-Cost Family Health Insurance Arrangement
  • The options are in order of increasing cost.
  • BC/BS can take 5-6 weeks to process an application.
  • If you are not sure you qualify for CompleteCare, submit an application for another option at the same time.
  • When calling BC/BS do not enter your social security number, it will route you to the department where your last coverage was handled.
Parents
  • BC/BS CompleteCare ($500 deductible)$210/month

Must complete detailed questionnaire

Cannot have significant health problems

Pre-existing conditions are not covered

Various deductibles to choose from

  • BC/BS Keystone HMO

Typical HMO coverage

  • BC/BS Hospital, Surgical, & Major Medical Coverage

Many deductibles and options to choose from

  • Cobra

Guaranteed coverage, but more expensive.

College Student
  • University or college’s student health insurance plan$365/year

with the additional supplemental coverage. If you

sign up mid-year, it should be prorated.

  • BC/BS CompleteCare for an individual
Children
  • Medical AssistanceNo charge

No or very low income

Unemployment compensation is prorated for the year.

The people are very helpful and considerate.

  • PA State CHIPS programProrated

For higher low income

Administered by BC/BS

Other Cost Considerations

Auto Insurance
  • Reducing full tort to limited tort
  • Reducing annual mileage allowance
  • Increasing comprehensive and collision deductibles
  • Reducing coverage
  • Applying for discounts (good student, safety features, multicar, etc)
  • Investigate cheaper policies
Communication
  • Investigate local, regional, long distance, and calling card telephone and Internet plans and options.
  • Investigate cellular telephone and pager plans.
  • Reducing telephone options (call waiting, caller ID, mailbox, etc)
  • Reducing cable TV plans and options
  • Refilling ink cartridges
Household
  • Reducing homeowners insurance coverage
  • Reducing security service
  • Providing your own lawn care
  • Garage sales

Keith Henry 4/11/01