Post: #51

Bump!

- Self employed
- 25 Years Old
- Relatively healthy all my life
- Living in the US

Is anyone in a similar situation? I'm just now looking for health insurance coverage, primarily in health/vision. Browsing on eHealth.com for options. I'm not one to skip on health and don't believe in any short-cuts so I would pay top dollar to avoid any gimmicks in fine print later. I'd be grateful to know if anyone is in a similar situation or is already setup nicely.

What are some things to consider / eliminate? Any insight is appreciated.

Post: #52

At your age it is best to pay for necessary procedures in cash as needed. You will pay much less in the long run. I did this for years and still do. I try not to end up in the ER more than a couple times a decade. Spend that money on your actual, tangible, physical health instead. When you get near 30 you could start looking for plans if you are the kind of guy that likes to go see the doctor. Last time I went to the doctor I got finger fucked in my ass, I dont even like it when bitches try to eaty my booty.
Avoid needing Doctor's is the play.

Post: #53

(07-04-2016 12:23 PM)AboveAverageJoe Wrote:  At your age it is best to pay for necessary procedures in cash as needed. You will pay much less in the long run. I did this for years and still do. I try not to end up in the ER more than a couple times a decade. Spend that money on your actual, tangible, physical health instead. When you get near 30 you could start looking for plans if you are the kind of guy that likes to go see the doctor. Last time I went to the doctor I got finger fucked in my ass, I dont even like it when bitches try to eaty my booty.
Avoid needing Doctor's is the play.

I consider dental a scam and I avoid it. This is primarily for medical. Blood tests and x-rays are normal procedures but they are costly without insurance.

Finger fucked?

Post: #54

I pay nothing in my province.

There is a slight user fee, maybe $10.

Post: #55

Check for high deductible plans.

(07-03-2016 08:25 PM)Grindhard Wrote:  Bump!

- Self employed
- 25 Years Old
- Relatively healthy all my life
- Living in the US

Is anyone in a similar situation? I'm just now looking for health insurance coverage, primarily in health/vision. Browsing on eHealth.com for options. I'm not one to skip on health and don't believe in any short-cuts so I would pay top dollar to avoid any gimmicks in fine print later. I'd be grateful to know if anyone is in a similar situation or is already setup nicely.

What are some things to consider / eliminate? Any insight is appreciated.

Post: #56

Obligatory by law here. I pay 97 Euros a month.

Post: #57

In the US the best thing to do is to negotiate a settlement than pay for insurance. My father was a Bankruptcy Lawyer for over 40 years and never paid for insurance and had serious health issues during his last few years into his 80's

He took that money he could have been giving to an insurance company and invested it. During his entire career. When his health went in his early 60's then very bad into his 70's he had more money than any insurance company would ever cover though making strategic investments buying notes and bonds from which he could either borrow against or cash in.

He saw doctors regularly and paid cash for ER visits his entire life. I remember he fell off a sailboat when I was a kid and broke his back, he was billed 3k by the Hospital. I remember my mom yelling 3k! My dad calmly said I've not had a hospital visit in 5 years and at the time my mom was paying $250ish a month for her insurance. My dad said in 5 years you paid 15,000ish and I've invested 250ish every month and we have 80,000ish to cover my $3,000 dollar bill.

I even remember he would take doctors out (not clients) and ask them to check him out. All did it for free. They would say oh swing by my office at whatever time.

Unless you have some long standing illness you don't need health insurance. It's a stupid investment, you're better off banking/investing that insurance payment every month and traveling for minor procedures. My dad got his Dental work done in SA and had all his heart stuff done in Russia. Saved him a mint over a life time.

If you already have medical debt realize the debt is sold to companies. Almost always you can negotiate much less that the claim like over 90% than what you're getting asked for. I just closed a 5k ER visit for less than $400. It's a version of derivatives. Depending on xyz company's (debt collector) investment thesis You can do some serious damage just by saying no I'll pay this. $400 is the average monthly insurance rate for what most call a good Health Plan.

Post: #58

I'm early 30s and about ready to make the jump to self-employed, any tips for buying insurance? My biz partner has insurance also I wonder if there's a two person small company plan.

Post: #59

My health insurance costs about $250 per month through my employer. That's with a $800 deductible. Given how much I earn monthly, it's a no brainier for me. I think it's well worth it. ER visits can be extremely expensive if you're not careful. Also, it's a much cheaper alternative than going with Obamacare.

Post: #60

Quote: had all his heart stuff done in Russia

"what your talking about Willis?"

Post: #61

(07-06-2016 06:23 AM)nola Wrote:  In the US the best thing to do is to negotiate a settlement than pay for insurance. My father was a Bankruptcy Lawyer for over 40 years and never paid for insurance and had serious health issues during his last few years into his 80's

He took that money he could have been giving to an insurance company and invested it. During his entire career. When his health went in his early 60's then very bad into his 70's he had more money than any insurance company would ever cover though making strategic investments buying notes and bonds from which he could either borrow against or cash in.

He saw doctors regularly and paid cash for ER visits his entire life. I remember he fell off a sailboat when I was a kid and broke his back, he was billed 3k by the Hospital. I remember my mom yelling 3k! My dad calmly said I've not had a hospital visit in 5 years and at the time my mom was paying $250ish a month for her insurance. My dad said in 5 years you paid 15,000ish and I've invested 250ish every month and we have 80,000ish to cover my $3,000 dollar bill.

I even remember he would take doctors out (not clients) and ask them to check him out. All did it for free. They would say oh swing by my office at whatever time.

Unless you have some long standing illness you don't need health insurance. It's a stupid investment, you're better off banking/investing that insurance payment every month and traveling for minor procedures. My dad got his Dental work done in SA and had all his heart stuff done in Russia. Saved him a mint over a life time.

If you already have medical debt realize the debt is sold to companies. Almost always you can negotiate much less that the claim like over 90% than what you're getting asked for. I just closed a 5k ER visit for less than $400. It's a version of derivatives. Depending on xyz company's (debt collector) investment thesis You can do some serious damage just by saying no I'll pay this. $400 is the average monthly insurance rate for what most call a good Health Plan.

I've actually heard buying your Dr gifts here and there (small gestures) it gives you better leverage for off-the-record conversation, quicker check-ins, and probably knowledge about insurance and your health outside of the office.

Post: #62

(07-06-2016 11:52 AM)DJ-Matt Wrote:  I'm early 30s and about ready to make the jump to self-employed, any tips for buying insurance? My biz partner has insurance also I wonder if there's a two person small company plan.

eHealth.com should give you some ideas. Go with a PPO by all means. Dental is a scam, avoid it. Go through Obama care (health insurance marketplace).

Post: #63

The only advantage I can see if there's a small business deal through healthcare.gov is if the company can pay for your health benefits pre-tax, that saves a lot of money on the employee end and I think most regular size employers do it.

Post: #64

Can anyone in Panama, or experience living there, confirm or refute this about healthcare?

Post: #65

(07-05-2016 12:22 AM)almast Wrote:  Check for high deductible plans.

(07-03-2016 08:25 PM)Grindhard Wrote:  Bump!

- Self employed
- 25 Years Old
- Relatively healthy all my life
- Living in the US

Is anyone in a similar situation? I'm just now looking for health insurance coverage, primarily in health/vision. Browsing on eHealth.com for options. I'm not one to skip on health and don't believe in any short-cuts so I would pay top dollar to avoid any gimmicks in fine print later. I'd be grateful to know if anyone is in a similar situation or is already setup nicely.

What are some things to consider / eliminate? Any insight is appreciated.

ObamaCare (a.k.a. VaginaCare) essentially eliminated high deductible plans -- at least in my state. Owning a small business, I used high deductible plans ($10,000) for many years -- until they were killed off by creeping socialism. I self-insured myself for the rare visits to the doctor. My high deductible health insurance insured against catastrophic injury or illness. This article explains how ObamaCare killed off high deductible plans.

Quote:Prior to Obamacare, high-deductible plans were very affordable. Premiums were low enough to have money left over to fund Health Savings Accounts to cover a portion of the cost below the deductible. Since Obamacare high-deductible plans have become costly even though they cover almost none of Americans’ day-to-day medical needs.

http://healthblog.ncpa.org/affordable-he...-them-off/

Post: #66

I pay 1000 a month for myself, my wife, and kid. It's beyond aggravating.

Post: #67

(07-06-2016 06:23 AM)nola Wrote:  In the US the best thing to do is to negotiate a settlement than pay for insurance. My father was a Bankruptcy Lawyer for over 40 years and never paid for insurance and had serious health issues during his last few years into his 80's

He took that money he could have been giving to an insurance company and invested it. During his entire career. When his health went in his early 60's then very bad into his 70's he had more money than any insurance company would ever cover though making strategic investments buying notes and bonds from which he could either borrow against or cash in.

He saw doctors regularly and paid cash for ER visits his entire life. I remember he fell off a sailboat when I was a kid and broke his back, he was billed 3k by the Hospital. I remember my mom yelling 3k! My dad calmly said I've not had a hospital visit in 5 years and at the time my mom was paying $250ish a month for her insurance. My dad said in 5 years you paid 15,000ish and I've invested 250ish every month and we have 80,000ish to cover my $3,000 dollar bill.

I even remember he would take doctors out (not clients) and ask them to check him out. All did it for free. They would say oh swing by my office at whatever time.

Unless you have some long standing illness you don't need health insurance. It's a stupid investment, you're better off banking/investing that insurance payment every month and traveling for minor procedures. My dad got his Dental work done in SA and had all his heart stuff done in Russia. Saved him a mint over a life time.

If you already have medical debt realize the debt is sold to companies. Almost always you can negotiate much less that the claim like over 90% than what you're getting asked for. I just closed a 5k ER visit for less than $400. It's a version of derivatives. Depending on xyz company's (debt collector) investment thesis You can do some serious damage just by saying no I'll pay this. $400 is the average monthly insurance rate for what most call a good Health Plan.

I would love to hear more about your father.

Post: #68

Now that prices have sky rocketed - what are you guys doing ages 25+ with a small business?

Should you go with the personal or business plan?
Can you get health insurance after Dec 15 enrollment cut-off?
Can you change your plan at any time?

Only thing I go for is a blood test x2 a year and a minor freak-out on my neck that was just an x-ray checkup. Seriously considering not even applying. My rates look like $400/MO.

Post: #69

None. Thanks to Obamacare I get penalized even if I do pay for it.

I'm in my 20s and in excellent health. This isn't medical advice but my health insurance is working out, juicing fruits and veggies, meditating, the occasional groupon visits, and popping an aspirin once a week. My exboss is a millionaire and total cheapskate and bragged about not having insurance for a decade. Maybe my attitude will change when I have a family.

Post: #70

I NEVER go to the doctor. Very healthy. Only 25yo. I pay $151.54 a month through my employer. I live in the US...

Post: #71

I don't have insurance. Live in Norway.

The public healthcare system covers everything. As soon as you get hospitalized in Norway everything is free (with that I mean that you don't get a bill when you check-out). Going to the GP carries a small fee up to 300$-ish per year. After that doctors are free too within that year. Medicine is also heavily subsidized.

Negative effects of this system?

Can be slow at times and a lot of staff lack a service attitude. But I rather live in the Norwegian system then lets say the American system. I don't have to think about insurances or anything.


Travel Insurance

Since I live in Thailand I do need travel insurance. I pay around 700$ for that yearly. I have this insurance with a small bank in Norway, and it covers pretty much everything. Medical emergency, evacuation, medicine, urgent dental work, theft, lost flights etc etc.. No deductible.

Post: #72

(12-14-2016 12:25 AM)Hyyish Wrote:  But I rather live in the Norwegian system then lets say the American system. I don't have to think about insurances or anything.

As everything else in life it is all about perceptions.

Quote:And yes, Norway is one of the most heavily taxed countries in the world with a total tax burden of roughly 45% of GDP– almost 4x Hong Kong and nearly twice the US.

VAT here is a whopping 25%. Personal income tax rates border 55%. Corporate profits tax ranges from 28% to as high as 78%. Norway even has a direct WEALTH TAX.

This place is about as socialist as it gets. The Norwegian tax authority’s own website even states, “The Norwegian tax system is based on the principle that everybody should pay tax according to their means and receive services according to their needs.”

It’s as if Karl Marx himself wrote the country’s tax policy.

https://www.sovereignman.com/lifestyle-d...axes-8235/


I would rather pay the far lower tax rates in the U.S. and then use a small portion of the tax savings to pay for health insurance. In fact, this worked very well for me until ObamaCare's socialized program skewed the free market.

I am sure that you have no complaints about escaping the Norwegian tax system when you moved to Thailand (which is also a great place for low-cost healthcare).

Post: #73

I can't wait 'til President Trump repeals and replaces Obamacare, 'cause for now I'm on this plan:

   

Post: #74

Almost nothing. High deductable + employer contribution + lots of goodies. Good pay + bennies = great but hard to motivate yourself to escape being an employee.

Pretty good deal. Even before them I've been on a high deductable plan of some form for close to a decade. Sometimes on my own dime.

Post: #75

(12-14-2016 12:46 AM)Tail Gunner Wrote:  

Quote:And yes, Norway is one of the most heavily taxed countries in the world with a total tax burden of roughly 45% of GDP– almost 4x Hong Kong and nearly twice the US.

VAT here is a whopping 25%. Personal income tax rates border 55%. Corporate profits tax ranges from 28% to as high as 78%. Norway even has a direct WEALTH TAX.

I can't say that these numbers are wrong, but they all taken to the extreme.

Top tax on income in Norway is 50%, but then you have to make a lot of money too. Most people pay around 28% - 36% tax on income.

VAT is 25% on certain goods. Like candy, unhealthy food, coca cola etc. Most groceries have a 10% VAT.

Electronics like computers and phones don't have VAT at all. Transport have 8% VAT.

But yes. I totally agree with you. We pay a lot of taxes, and there is too much regulations on everything if you ask me. It's like the government treat the citizen like fucking kids.

Luckily we have high salaries, so you can save up a lot of money quick so you can get the fuck out.