Thread: MEGA policy 1 vs policy 2

hi all,

I looked at the website and couldnt really find the true difference (bayshore did tell me a few things i.e $50 deductable vs $500...etc.) What I wanna know is your experience with either or? Say you chose policy 1...do you regret it because it sucked anyway...why spend more money than you need to. Also, whats the co-payment, and is the deductable a yearly deductable or...? Thanks

the cheaper policy has a $500 deductible meaning that you have to pay the first $500 of any doctor visit or hospital stay, after that everything else is covered by the insurance. the more expensive policy has a $50 deductable meaning after you pay the first $50 the rest will be covered by insurance. Which do you think is better?? That's the only difference in the policies. Also the deductibles are reset every year.

If I were you I would get health insurance from the state. Blue cross blue shield is 100% better than either of these mega policies...and they are MUCH cheaper as well.

So either take the school policy with inferior coverage at the maximum cost you can find anywhere, or apply for a cheaper better policy it in the states.

blue cross blue shield has a global plan?

Originally Posted by Hobbes1845

If I were you I would get health insurance from the state. Blue cross blue shield is 100% better than either of these mega policies...and they are MUCH cheaper as well.

So either take the school policy with inferior coverage at the maximum cost you can find anywhere, or apply for a cheaper better policy it in the states.

Can you please tell me how blue cross/blue shield is cheaper? When I priced them, it came out to almost 10k a year for an individual plan. The only other way (that I know of) to get cheap insurance is medicaid. Obviously, if you have a family or work plan, this is different, but insurance for an individual is very, very expensive.

BTW,this is not meant as an attack. I would be more than happy to use blue cross if it cost anywhere near what the mega plan costs (~2k a year). Perhaps, I looked in the wrong place. Any info would be appreciated.

edit-I just did a quick check, and it seems that half way decent insurance (office visit coverage/rx coverage) for an individual in their late 20's is about $7200 a year. There is cheaper stuff, but it will only cover emergencies.

Pretty much any insurance will cover emergencies worldwide. (Even bare-minimum NYS insurance covered decompression chamber treatment.) But of course read the fine print to be sure.

It probably would not cover routine doctor visits/other expenses in Grenada, but:
1) If you have any serious medical condition you will be air evac'ed to the US where your insurance would be accepted.
2) Treatment in the "Casualty" (Emergency) Department at Grenada General is free for students (first hand knowledge)
3) Routine medical care at SGU's University Health Services clinic is free except for prescriptions and labs. Routine meds (i.e. PCN) are cheap, and I think an x-ray is ~$20.

So in short, you really don't need to pay extra for "global" coverage unless you don't want to pay for prescriptions or "routine" care that is not offered at the clinic.

Originally Posted by tralfaz

Can you please tell me how blue cross/blue shield is cheaper? When I priced them, it came out to almost 10k a year for an individual plan. The only other way (that I know of) to get cheap insurance is medicaid. Obviously, if you have a family or work plan, this is different, but insurance for an individual is very, very expensive.

BTW,this is not meant as an attack. I would be more than happy to use blue cross if it cost anywhere near what the mega plan costs (~2k a year). Perhaps, I looked in the wrong place. Any info would be appreciated.

edit-I just did a quick check, and it seems that half way decent insurance (office visit coverage/rx coverage) for an individual in their late 20's is about $7200 a year. There is cheaper stuff, but it will only cover emergencies.

I have had BC/** for quite some time now - got sick of switching comppanies- have Individual Anthem Key Care and it cost ~1500/year. I have a pretty high deductible(500US), but i'm pretty healthy- really only need catastrophic care- but it covered me while i was in GND and had air evac as well.

Originally Posted by rokshana

I have had BC/** for quite some time now - got sick of switching comppanies- have Individual Anthem Key Care and it cost ~1500/year. I have a pretty high deductible(500US), but i'm pretty healthy- really only need catastrophic care- but it covered me while i was in GND and had air evac as well.

Does that cover office visits/elective surgery/prescriptions? Even though I am fairly young, I still would prefer good coverage. Everywhere I look, I seem to find very high rate quotes in ny (anthem does not cover ny).

Originally Posted by tralfaz

Does that cover office visits/elective surgery/prescriptions? Even though I am fairly young, I still would prefer good coverage. Everywhere I look, I seem to find very high rate quotes in ny (anthem does not cover ny).

yep, after the deductible is met of course. Doesn't cover dental, optical or pregnancy( i opted out-not planning on that during med school!).
From Va, so don't know about NY insurance- you might wanna move, LOL!

have a co-pay with drugs-varies, but usually ~10 dollars
have to run referrals through my PCP, but usually not a big issue- if not near PCP or network doc, then 80/20 out of network (ie GND).

yeah there is really nothing cheaper than what the school offers, atleast if you're from NY/NJ area.