Moving

[lynxreign]

As many of you know, I'm planning to move to MA next year. Now I hear MA is requiring that all residents buy health insurance if it isn't provided by the employer. If employers don't provide it they have to pay a fine of $295 a year. Is this a joke of some sort? $295 a year? I should just incorporate and not provide me insurance.

Anyone think I need to worry about this new, wacky law/give-away to insurance companies? Should I be reconsidering my move?

Comments

[artemis44.livejournal.com]

Um, but isn't having insurance a good thing? I get that it could be a pain for the self-employed, but, well... still, it's insurance, and don't you have some sort now?

p.s. under no circumstances should you reconsider moving to MA, since clearly it is the only way we'll ever get to hang out, and it may just provide the critical mass we need to draw urnesha this way once more....

:)

[lynxreign.livejournal.com]

It is expensive, last time I had it it had gone up to over $500 a month. and no.

[head58.livejournal.com]

We pay about $500 a month for the whole family coverage, so individual coverage should be nowhere near that high. Half that, probably.

[lynxreign.livejournal.com]

Through employers or privately?

[head58.livejournal.com]

Through my employer. You're right, it would probably be higher privately.

Sounds like you have a couple of different options: 1) don't move to MA at all, 2) Move here but work for an employer instead of contract, 3) move here and work contract and suck up whatever insurance is going to cost. None of which are all that ideal for you I know, but you probably have to deal with the fact that you probably SHOULD have health insurance and occasionally get a checkup and whatnot. Things will start breaking down soon - you're well out of warranty.

[lynxreign.livejournal.com]

Bah! I am Strong, like Bull. I will crush all disease before me like Royalty before the Proletariat. I will outlive planet and sun. Why should I bet that I am weak and sickly?
And besides, doctors are what kill you. Ever notice there's always one there when someone dies? Eh?

*insert your full name here*

[kaisilverwolf.livejournal.com]

I cannot BELIEVE you do not have health insurance. This is very possibly the stupidest thing i'm aware of you doing. what if you got into a car accident? Do you even get the yearly physicals you're supposed to?!!

Re: *insert your full name here*

[lynxreign.livejournal.com]

I have hospital insurance through my car insurance if I'm in an accident.
What's a yearly physical?
Do you know what it costs? It had gone over $6,000 a year!

[kaisilverwolf.livejournal.com]

You are delusional, like Bull in Slaughterhouse. *facepalm*

[lynxreign.livejournal.com]

: -P

[lynxreign.livejournal.com]

Yeah, but it what they provide worth anything other than political cover for those who voted for it?

[lynxreign.livejournal.com]

I have no problems with the aim, I have problems with the method.

[head58.livejournal.com]

It is only in effect for employers with more than ten employees. I have no clue where individual contractors fall in all this. I'd imagine it will be all settled out by the time you get here. Also, the market will be flooded with insurance options you can buy into, as everybody tries to cash in on the deal.

I don't see it as a give-away as the insurance companies don't get the $295. The state does.

[lynxreign.livejournal.com]

Individuals have to buy it for themselves if the company doesn't provide it.

I see it as a give away 'cause insurance companies can still charge whatever the hell they feel like and individuals HAVE to buy it. The $295 seems like a joke 'cause it is barely a penalty at all.

[mekkasimian.livejournal.com]

IS TEH SUCK!

MORE MONEY FROM POCKET WILL NEVER SEE, LIKE MYTHICAL "MEDICARE" AND "SOCIAL SECURITY".

=M=

[lynxreign.livejournal.com]

Don't forget car insurance.

[lynxreign.livejournal.com]

Oh, and email me your address. I have something for you and the missus.

lynxreign@yahoo.com

[head58.livejournal.com]

You know, running though in my head all the prescriptions we're on, plus the coverage for Ali's sleep machine, plus various medical and counseling appointments, I think we actually get our $500 worth of insurance each month, if not more. But we're pretty heavy users.

[lynxreign.livejournal.com]

I haven't even been to a doctor since 1863.

[head58.livejournal.com]

You're Stonewall Jackson?

I hear they've gotten a bit better since then. Less sawing and whiskey. More prostate exams.

[lynxreign.livejournal.com]

When you get shot puttin' down the damn rebs, sometimes you need a doctor.

[artemis44.livejournal.com]

Me too - though my insurance bill is a measly $90 a month now, I can't imagine living without it - even pre-preggers! And even if it weren't for the blood pressure meds and other things that get my money's worth for me, all it takes is one snakebite or drunken fall down a flight of stairs to have a trip to the ER! (no, neither have happened, but they *could*!)

[lynxreign.livejournal.com]

Well, I have been tempted to do some dunken snakehandling on the landing lately, but I've been putting it off.

[sleeping-dragon.livejournal.com]

Will check it out with my mom this weekend. As she is a doc who sees kids that need very intensive therapy, she might know what's what. Then again, she might say "wha-hunh?"

[xerhino.livejournal.com]

> I should just incorporate and not provide me insurance.

Ah, but then you'd always be worried about suing yourself for sexual harassment. :-)

[lynxreign.livejournal.com]

I worry about that enough now.

[head58.livejournal.com]

So there was a bit about this on the news when I got home, and apparently the governor was asked "what about private contractors, like a carpenter who makes $30 or $40K a year? How is he going to pay out $400 or $500 a month for insurance" and the gov said that he was working closely with the insurance comapnies and hoping that for folks like that the plans would be more in the range of $200 a month. I guess this was on the Today show or something this morning.

Just FYI.

[lynxreign.livejournal.com]

Thanks!
We'll see what happens.

[chaoticmoth.livejournal.com]

You just need to find a part-time job with benefits to get their health insurance and then do your other stuff on the side. :)

You could just stay an NJ resident and just "visit" MA for a reeeeaaallllly long time. :)

[lynxreign.livejournal.com]

Problem is head58 is right. I do need insurance at some point. And I really don't want a part time job.

[chaoticmoth.livejournal.com]

Then get a full-time job with benefits. :)

[lynxreign.livejournal.com]

Great idea, cut my salary in 1/2 so I can get benefits.

[chaoticmoth.livejournal.com]

Depends on where you get a job and the benefits. :)

[lynxreign.livejournal.com]

While theoretically true, in practice highly improbable.

[emmalyon.livejournal.com]

I only know from commercial insurance, but in MA a sole prop does not need legally workers' comp coverage and a sole officer of a corp can opt out. So I am betting they will have a similar exemption for the health insurance.