Health insurance mail-order signup wiped me out financially

Jen4948

This morning I found out that signing up for United Healthcare's mail-order insurance thing not only didn't "save me money" but wiped out most of my bank account when I placed an order for some refills so I have less than $30 for most of this week.

Blech.

emmaaa

That sucks! I hate that.

That happened one time with our car payment. I had it scheduled for payday to come out automatically. Well, apparently there was a glitch and it came out the Monday before which left us with $70 for the week and we both drive over 40 miles one way to work each day.

So sorry that happened to you!

Jen4948

emmaaa said:

That sucks! I hate that.

That happened one time with our car payment. I had it scheduled for payday to come out automatically. Well, apparently there was a glitch and it came out the Monday before which left us with $70 for the week and we both drive over 40 miles one way to work each day.

So sorry that happened to you!

Thanks!  I will have to tell my doctor what happened and ask him if he can switch to cheaper medications, I guess.  But wow, how did you get through that week before the payday?

julieanne912

I'm currently without insurance... new job's insurance kicks in Sept 1 and since I rarely get sick I decided to chance it and not get Cobra, since that would have been over $500 a month.  I go to pick up my birth control and figured it'd be around $75.  No... it was $113.00 for one month.  It used to be free with my last insurance  Still cheaper than Cobra but money is already super tight right now because of the wedding so that really sucked!  

Jen4948

I did that when I ended my last job...Cobra was just so expensive (how do they expect people without jobs to pay for it?????) that it didn't make sense to me to sign up for it.  I literally couldn't afford it.

emmaaa

Jen4948 said:

emmaaa said:

That sucks! I hate that.

That happened one time with our car payment. I had it scheduled for payday to come out automatically. Well, apparently there was a glitch and it came out the Monday before which left us with $70 for the week and we both drive over 40 miles one way to work each day.

So sorry that happened to you!

Thanks!  I will have to tell my doctor what happened and ask him if he can switch to cheaper medications, I guess.  But wow, how did you get through that week before the payday?

That $70 was ONLY for gas and luckily we had just enough groceries for the week. I think we had filled up both vehicles that Sunday before. It sucked because we had homemade beanies and weenies one night for supper and rice and pintos another night, but at least we had food.

julieanne912

Jen4948 said:

I did that when I ended my last job...Cobra was just so expensive (how do they expect people without jobs to pay for it?????) that it didn't make sense to me to sign up for it.  I literally couldn't afford it.

Yeah it's crazy... I mean if I wasn't having a wedding in less than 2 months I could have managed it probably but there's no reason to pay that much for nothing... I go to the doctor once a year for my annual, and that's not due til March.  Every 2-3 I get sick so I go to urgent care but that's about it.

Jen4948

emmaaa said:

Jen4948 said:

emmaaa said:

That sucks! I hate that.

That happened one time with our car payment. I had it scheduled for payday to come out automatically. Well, apparently there was a glitch and it came out the Monday before which left us with $70 for the week and we both drive over 40 miles one way to work each day.

So sorry that happened to you!

Thanks!  I will have to tell my doctor what happened and ask him if he can switch to cheaper medications, I guess.  But wow, how did you get through that week before the payday?

That $70 was ONLY for gas and luckily we had just enough groceries for the week. I think we had filled up both vehicles that Sunday before. It sucked because we had homemade beanies and weenies one night for supper and rice and pintos another night, but at least we had food.

My parents have promised to help me and I'll get paid on Friday, but it sucks so much that I had to email my doctor just now to find out if there are cheaper alternatives he can switch me to, because this just doesn't work for me.  My current job doesn't offer HSAs or anything like that so I'm stuck there.  I was on Obamacare for a while and I'm starting to feel like I need to go back on that!

Jen4948

julieanne912 said:

Jen4948 said:

I did that when I ended my last job...Cobra was just so expensive (how do they expect people without jobs to pay for it?????) that it didn't make sense to me to sign up for it.  I literally couldn't afford it.

Yeah it's crazy... I mean if I wasn't having a wedding in less than 2 months I could have managed it probably but there's no reason to pay that much for nothing... I go to the doctor once a year for my annual, and that's not due til March.  Every 2-3 I get sick so I go to urgent care but that's about it.

Good thing you are healthy!

emmaaa

Jen4948 said:

emmaaa said:

Jen4948 said:

emmaaa said:

That sucks! I hate that.

That happened one time with our car payment. I had it scheduled for payday to come out automatically. Well, apparently there was a glitch and it came out the Monday before which left us with $70 for the week and we both drive over 40 miles one way to work each day.

So sorry that happened to you!

Thanks!  I will have to tell my doctor what happened and ask him if he can switch to cheaper medications, I guess.  But wow, how did you get through that week before the payday?

That $70 was ONLY for gas and luckily we had just enough groceries for the week. I think we had filled up both vehicles that Sunday before. It sucked because we had homemade beanies and weenies one night for supper and rice and pintos another night, but at least we had food.

My parents have promised to help me and I'll get paid on Friday, but it sucks so much that I had to email my doctor just now to find out if there are cheaper alternatives he can switch me to, because this just doesn't work for me.  My current job doesn't offer HSAs or anything like that so I'm stuck there.  I was on Obamacare for a while and I'm starting to feel like I need to go back on that!

Thank God for helpful parents. My dad has helped us in the past.

I hope you can figure an alternative out.

kvruns

Jen4948 said:

emmaaa said:

That sucks! I hate that.

That happened one time with our car payment. I had it scheduled for payday to come out automatically. Well, apparently there was a glitch and it came out the Monday before which left us with $70 for the week and we both drive over 40 miles one way to work each day.

So sorry that happened to you!

Thanks!  I will have to tell my doctor what happened and ask him if he can switch to cheaper medications, I guess.  But wow, how did you get through that week before the payday?

did it wipe it out because it somehow took money out of your account it wasn't supposed to or because it cost more than you thought it would? You should be able to check the price before signing up for it, so if your Dr can give you alternatives you can price them out both with mail order pharmacy and also local ones to see which has the best rate.

kvruns

Jen4948 said:

emmaaa said:

Jen4948 said:

emmaaa said:

That sucks! I hate that.

That happened one time with our car payment. I had it scheduled for payday to come out automatically. Well, apparently there was a glitch and it came out the Monday before which left us with $70 for the week and we both drive over 40 miles one way to work each day.

So sorry that happened to you!

Thanks!  I will have to tell my doctor what happened and ask him if he can switch to cheaper medications, I guess.  But wow, how did you get through that week before the payday?

That $70 was ONLY for gas and luckily we had just enough groceries for the week. I think we had filled up both vehicles that Sunday before. It sucked because we had homemade beanies and weenies one night for supper and rice and pintos another night, but at least we had food.

My parents have promised to help me and I'll get paid on Friday, but it sucks so much that I had to email my doctor just now to find out if there are cheaper alternatives he can switch me to, because this just doesn't work for me.  My current job doesn't offer HSAs or anything like that so I'm stuck there.  I was on Obamacare for a while and I'm starting to feel like I need to go back on that!

If you are on a high deductible health plan with your work even if they don't offer an HSA you can set up your own with the bank (assuming it is a qualified plan - min deductible of $1,300, max out of pocket $6,450) and they don't give you money in an HRA (health reimbursement arrangement). At least that way you can put away some tax free money for health expenses in the future even if it is just $25 a paycheck or whatever and it helps lower your taxable income.

Jen4948

kvruns said:

Jen4948 said:

emmaaa said:

That sucks! I hate that.

That happened one time with our car payment. I had it scheduled for payday to come out automatically. Well, apparently there was a glitch and it came out the Monday before which left us with $70 for the week and we both drive over 40 miles one way to work each day.

So sorry that happened to you!

Thanks!  I will have to tell my doctor what happened and ask him if he can switch to cheaper medications, I guess.  But wow, how did you get through that week before the payday?

did it wipe it out because it somehow took money out of your account it wasn't supposed to or because it cost more than you thought it would? You should be able to check the price before signing up for it, so if your Dr can give you alternatives you can price them out both with mail order pharmacy and also local ones to see which has the best rate.


It cost a lot more than I thought it would. I had expected only to have to cover small copays but the copays were insanely high to the point that I can't afford this.

I did notify my doctor that this happened and asked about alternatives and am waiting to hear back from his office.

kvruns

@jen4948 my first time on a high deductible plan I had BC sticker shock because I didn't realize that I had to pay the whole cost of the prescription until I hit my plan's deductible (which I never do, knock on wood) and it isn't until you hit the deductible that you start getting the copays/coinsurance that makes it actually affordable.

Jen4948

kvruns said:

@jen4948 my first time on a high deductible plan I had BC sticker shock because I didn't realize that I had to pay the whole cost of the prescription until I hit my plan's deductible (which I never do, knock on wood) and it isn't until you hit the deductible that you start getting the copays/coinsurance that makes it actually affordable.

I didn't sign up for a high deductible plan though because I knew I couldn't afford it.

lyndausvi

Do they not tell you the cost before you place the order?      

Since you changed providers I do not understand why you would make an assumption about the costs.  I would have been asking a bunch of questions before allowing them to wiping out my account.

I can not stress the importance of an emergency account.  I know, I know, I've been been there, done that.  Just saying the older and wiser me is saying you need an emergency fund.   Even if you only put in $5-10 a paycheck it will add up.    

We haven't lived paycheck-to-paycheck in a while, but I still drop $10-20 a paycheck into various sinking accounts. Boy does it come in handy when stupid shit pops up.  Trust me, stupid shit ALWAYS comes up. 

Jen4948

I have an emergency account and I have cash in there, but it will take a while to access it.

cupcait927

With mail order, you're getting a 90 day supply in one shot - typically your insurance will only charge 2 - 2 1/2 copays, rather than 3 whole copays, if you choose to go through mail order, so it does save money in the long run. If you filled say, two scripts through mail order, that would be 4-6 copays in one shot. For everyone - Always, always, always find out what your copays are going to be before picking up medication, especially new medication, so you can have a conversation with your doctor if it turns out to be too expensive. I work in health insurance and I can't tell you how many questions I've gotten over the years in regards to prescription costs and sticker shock.

luckya23

Jen4948 said:

I have an emergency account and I have cash in there, but it will take a while to access it.

You should probably set up an account that you could actually use in an immediate emergency.

Luckily my only script is BC, which is free.  If my account was wiped out though, I've got credit cards, so that's my foolproof plan! lol

lyndausvi

Jen4948 said:

I have an emergency account and I have cash in there, but it will take a while to access it.

I would consider a what I call a sinking account.   Doesn't get much interest, but it's easily accessible for things like this.   For me it's just a basic savings account.  It's at the same bank as my checking.        

Basically I have an emergency fund that is in a higher interest rate account that takes a few days to access.  Then I have various sinking funds for stuff like this.   Not true emergencies like getting laid off, natural disaster, major medical. It's just to help fund stupid shit that pops up.  You know, minor medical stuff,  car repairs, that kind of stuff.   

Sorry, I will get off my soapbox now.

Jen4948

When it comes to setting up an emergency account, I have one.  I have to use what's in there to cover what the insurance company snapped up out of my regular bank account. 

I did try to set up a sinking fund, but the investment company didn't bother to invest any of the funds, so now I'm also stuck with having to find a new investment company to deal with that too.

lyndausvi

Jen4948 said:

When it comes to setting up an emergency account, I have one.  I have to use what's in there to cover what the insurance company snapped up out of my regular bank account. 

I did try to set up a sinking fund, but the investment company didn't bother to invest any of the funds, so now I'm also stuck with having to find a new investment company to deal with that too.

I do not invest my sinking accounts.    They are easily accessible funds for rainy days.   There are for the when, not if whatever happens. 

  I will get sick, my car will need some sort of repair/maintenance,  my parents and MIL will get sick and/or die and I will have to fly across country.   Heck a few weeks ago my debit card was hacked.  My savings accounts were there to float me until the money was returned.   

wandajune6

cupcait927 said:

With mail order, you're getting a 90 day supply in one shot - typically your insurance will only charge 2 - 2 1/2 copays, rather than 3 whole copays, if you choose to go through mail order, so it does save money in the long run. If you filled say, two scripts through mail order, that would be 4-6 copays in one shot. For everyone - Always, always, always find out what your copays are going to be before picking up medication, especially new medication, so you can have a conversation with your doctor if it turns out to be too expensive. I work in health insurance and I can't tell you how many questions I've gotten over the years in regards to prescription costs and sticker shock.

This.

DH is on a ton of prescriptions. When he first started doing mail order, it stunk. We called ahead of time to find out how all of it would work and knew what to expect. We paid 12 copays the first month and it was horrible - but then it got better. We're spending a lot less money on his prescriptions now and spending less on the gas to get to Costco (Costco was cheaper than anywhere else, even with copays so this makes it even easier). It just requires better budgeting monthly.

Back in the day, I used to work helping health insurance companies understand the impact of their plan designs on consumers. It's helped us learn the questions to ask in these situations.

princessleia22

DH just got a script last week and when he went to pick it up discovered that it was $300 (we have deductible insurance plans)!  I told him to call his doctor and have them change to a cheaper script. With the new ones he had them mail-ordered, but he knew the cost up front this time.  I think he now learned his lesson to ask about price before agreeing to a prescription.

As far as the e-fund thing, we have multiple levels of savings.  Our main fund would require time to access.  Then we have some in traditional savings account... it's low interest, but fairly quickly accessible.  Then we keep $500 in cash at home in our safe, so we do have some very easily accessible if the banks are closed (or they shut down like Greece).

Jen4948

The fun and games didn't stop when I got home yesterday-waiting for me was a notice that the state of Texas intends to forfeit one of my business's right to transact business because the franchise tax didn't get filed on time (the e-filer at my firm told me it was) and charging me $1,151.16 ($1,000 of which is tax when I reported only $600 gross and didn't owe any tax.)

So now I have to read the e-filer and the state of Texas the riot act and ask them to abate all the crap.

Liatris2010

@julieanne912 said:

I'm currently without insurance... new job's insurance kicks in Sept 1 and since I rarely get sick I decided to chance it and not get Cobra, since that would have been over $500 a month.  I go to pick up my birth control and figured it'd be around $75.  No... it was $113.00 for one month.  It used to be free with my last insurance  Still cheaper than Cobra but money is already super tight right now because of the wedding so that really sucked!  

Do some googling and see if there is a discount card for your BC. Mine isn't covered and the card saves me $70/month. If there is no card, call your doc and ask if she can give you some samples until your insurance kicks in.

arrippa

I got sick about a month and a half ago. I was put on an IV in the ER. I just got my bill from the hospital and even with insurance, I owe almost $1,000 from it. There goes my new bed.

lyndausvi

arrippa said:

I got sick about a month and a half ago. I was put on an IV in the ER. I just got my bill from the hospital and even with insurance, I owe almost $1,000 from it. There goes my new bed.

ER visits are the worse.    DH was having what he thought was a diverticulitis attack.   We has just moved to the area and did not have a primary yet.  Went to a walk-in clinic who told us we needed to go to the ER.    Doctors said it was not in the right spot and ordered.a series of tests.

In the end it was diverticulitis.   The good news is the series of tests did find he had an aneurysm, so not all was lost.

Our out-of-pocket expenses was over 5K. We were there for 2 hours.  He had 1 IV, an MRI type-test, 5 minutes with the ER doctor and a cardiologist who looked at the test to confirm the aneurysm, but actually never saw DH.

I have no idea how much the insurance picked up, but if our out-of-pocket was over 5K I can just imagine who much the total bill was.

julieanne912

Liatris2010 said:

@julieanne912 said:

I'm currently without insurance... new job's insurance kicks in Sept 1 and since I rarely get sick I decided to chance it and not get Cobra, since that would have been over $500 a month.  I go to pick up my birth control and figured it'd be around $75.  No... it was $113.00 for one month.  It used to be free with my last insurance  Still cheaper than Cobra but money is already super tight right now because of the wedding so that really sucked!  

Do some googling and see if there is a discount card for your BC. Mine isn't covered and the card saves me $70/month. If there is no card, call your doc and ask if she can give you some samples until your insurance kicks in.

The $113 was with the discount card that the pharmacist found.   I asked at Costco yesterday just to price compare, and they had it for $149.  It's only one more month until my new insurance kicks in.  I knew it was an expensive BC, just not that expensive!  Also kind of stupid because I plan on going off it after my wedding, which is in September also.  I just don't want to deal with doing that just yet.

cgss11

Forgive me, but I thought that all birth control was free now from some health act? 

I know when I was taking the pill it was, and my iud was also free. 

julieanne912

cgss11 said:

Forgive me, but I thought that all birth control was free now from some health act? 

I know when I was taking the pill it was, and my iud was also free. 

Depends on your insurance.  Since I don't have any, it is not free.