Health insurance for yourself (LMTs)

[heavenlycrystal]

I am contemplating starting my own practice within the next few years after I graduate, and I was wondering if there is an organization that I could join to get cheaper health insurance for my own family. Maybe a group of independent massage therapists that join together to get a cheaper group rate or something?

[Masthera]

Check out this link from the FAQ section: http://www.bodyworkonline.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=455

It might be helpful for you.

I get my insurance from my state's Blue Cross Blue Shield program. The rates are reasonable and they give you a lot of flexability with what you choose.

[heavenlycrystal]

Thanks! I kept seeing the liability insurance, but was lost as to where to find the info about health insurance.

[RelaxandRejuvenate]

Blue Cross's local company will always be the best bet for individual policies, and even for small business group policies.

[amyisms]

Both my husband and I are IC's. Blue Cross Blue Sheild is way higher then other companies, we were with them a few years ago. If you belong to AMTA, they have an insurance finder for indenpendents were you can compare plans and rates. We have our insurance with Mega Group, with a pretty good rate.

Good luck

[Ahimsa]

X2 on the AMTA suggestion, they offer all kinds of good stuff...pet insurance too I believe!

I personally had BCBS a few years ago when I had to have insurance on my own and it was outrageous! $230 a month for a then healthy 25 year old single woman with no kids. I dropped it after a few months because I just couldn't afford it..and that was through an insurance broker who grouped you in with others for the best rate! You might be able to find something this way, but check around.

I'm very fortunate now...I'm able to be on my boyfriends insurance through his work as domestic partners. If not for that I would not be able to do what I love, which is just massage. I'd probably be like so many others working another crappy job they don't want to just for the bennies. Thank goodness for gay rights activists and companies like my bf's who are helping in their own way to provide healthcare for all. We know we can't depend on the government for that!
*end rant*

[RelaxandRejuvenate]

$230 a month for a then healthy 25 year old single woman with no kids.

I wish we could get our GROUP policy this low!

That is a pretty good rate. That is less than $3,000 per year. A 25 yo woman has a 90%+ chance of giving birth in her remaining lifetime, and over 50% chance of doing it twice. That expense alone would wipe out all of the premiums you paid, not counting visits for the sniffles, routine prescriptions etc.

We know we can't depend on the government for that!
*end rant*

I had no idea we were supposed to...

[palpable]

Unfortunately, AMTA does not offer health ins. in every state.

Depending on the policy, as there are a million and two variations, BCBS is not all that bad. Again, it depends on the state you live in and so many other factors, but I would look into them.

[JLWmassage]

I am a member of NAMASTA and they offer health insurance to there members. I pay $170 a month for a family plan

http://www.namasta.com/

[JLWmassage]

I am a member of NAMASTA and they offer health insurance to there members. I pay $170 a month for a family plan

http://www.namasta.com/

Here is the 411 on the plan I had. I had my yearly check w/ blood work. They only paid $75 for my office visit and my blood work was not covered bc I had it don on the same day. I also went in bc I had pink eye and that was not covered bc it was a prexsiting condition

[Rose of Sharon]

I am a member of NAMASTA and they offer health insurance to there members. I pay $170 a month for a family plan

http://www.namasta.com/

Here is the 411 on the plan I had. I had my yearly check w/ blood work. They only paid $75 for my office visit and my blood work was not covered bc I had it don on the same day. I also went in bc I had pink eye and that was not covered bc it was a prexsiting condition

Pink eye was a preexisting condition? :O

[JLWmassage]

I know crazy. I have to fill out a form proving I have not had it for six months for them to cover. Which I did not think insurance co could denie prexsiting conditions in MA. bc all residemts need to have insurance

[naturalhealing]

ehealthinsurance.com has tons of quotes you just search for what you need. I pay $300 a month for a high deductible "emergency" policy for me & 2 kids. I am looking for something else, I need Dr. visits for the baby at least.

[LindseyRae]

I have similar questions about the Health Insurance.

It appears to me there are a few options:

*AMTA has Health Insurance availabale though them, it seems to be a discount on insurance through HealthInsurance.com. Does anyone know how much the discount is?

*AMBP has Health Insurance availabale though them, it seems to be a discount on insurance through Aflac. Same Question... Also: Is Aflac any good?

*NAMASTA is another members program that offers an insurance policy. It appears to be a reimbursement policy. Does anyone have any additional info on them? Are they legit?

*Private Insurance Policies Ive heard can be costly. How can you afford $200-300/mo on a massage therapists salary?

Im moving up to San Francisco in 2 months to start my career there and need to figure out my health insurance situation. I dont want emergency only benefits. Any help is greatly apprecaited!

THANK YOU! <3

[Pete]

Im moving up to San Francisco in 2 months to start my career there and need to figure out my health insurance situation. I dont want emergency only benefits. Any help is greatly apprecaited!

THANK YOU! <3

You may want to look into a program called "Healthy San Francisco"

[Taoist]

*AMBP has Health Insurance availabale though them, it seems to be a discount on insurance through Aflac. Same Question... Also: Is Aflac any good?

I don't know about ABMP's specific discount for Aflac, but we had that through my husband's work a few years ago and it was very affordable. However, Aflac is meant to be a supplemental or secondary insurance and doesn't cover much unless you either 1) already have a primary insurance plan or 2) pay more for better packages. I don't know how much those are.

I'm with AMTA but haven't really looked into the healthinsurance.com discount yet. The rates there BEFORE your member discount are anywhere from $150-$300/mo depending on your choice of deductible vs. copay. If I ever get around to getting a quote with my AMTA member discount, I'll let you know what I find out.

[pueppi]

I have Humana (catastrophic/emerency) policy for about $179/month. It has some sort of wellness plan where I get one visit a year paid for as I recall - Woman's Wellness, I think. I am 44 and in good health, FWIW. I still hope to find something better, but as of yet, I haven't located it.

[LindseyRae]

Thank you for the link, Ill look into it

With the emergency/catastrophe policies dont you miss out on yearly exams, perscriptions, regular visits? I noticed a lot of therapists have those plans, is it too expensive to have a full coverage policy or is there a secret I dont know?

Thank you again!

[pueppi]

Thank you for the link, Ill look into it

With the emergency/catastrophe policies dont you miss out on yearly exams, perscriptions, regular visits? I noticed a lot of therapists have those plans, is it too expensive to have a full coverage policy or is there a secret I dont know?

Thank you again!

My plan has yearly, scripts (I forget the breakdown) and I don't know about regular visits. You could call Humana to find out.

I don't really go to the MD (and I figure most MT's who are into natural healing, don't either), so it works fine for me. I think the last time I was prescribed something was in 1998 or so.