Okay, I am up very early, so if I ramble, forgive me.

It's good that you can get benefits through your company. In the grand scheme, it will cost you a lot more if you purchase individual coverage on your own.

In terms of the company's actions, they are not alone. A lot of other companies give equally as mediocre plans. They like to think that by offering any kind of insurance, they are doing enough. The costs are high for any insurance but isn't it in the company's best interest to keep their employess secure?

As for the health plan, it's not that good. The deductible is quite high, the per-visit is very high, and the hospitalization should really be 100%. In short, it sucks.

But then again, I work for Whole Foods where you get some amazing coverage. So, who am I to say.

Okay, gotta go to work.
tim | Email | Homepage | 01.02.05 - 5:26 am | #

Well, Todd...as this is my first visit to The Word of Todd, I must say that I am impressed with this little cyber-forum you have created to air questions, concerns and observations. However, I would be remiss if I did not point out that you have the GAYEST favorite film list I have ever seen! For goodness sake, throw in an action film or something to butch it up!

I agree that your insurance benefits leave something to be desired. I noticed that you did not specifically mention a dental plan. Do you have dental coverage with this plan?

My benefits run about $10 higher per month, but the potential out-of-pocket expense is much less. In contrast, my monthly premiums for insuring myself through my old company run $250, so you are still way ahead of the game.

Although the general culture of your company sounds unpleasant, you have to consider the total number of people that are of your group plan. This number plays a huge part in how expensive individual coverage will be. I'm sure this is no revelation to you, but thought I would mention it.

Hope your NYE celebration was fun. Ours was very festive and the cowds were quite manageable, thankfully.

Take care and I hope to talk to you soon

A
Andrew Hedrick | Email | Homepage | 01.02.05 - 9:11 am | #

Todd, I know how you feel. I work for a big company as well and I've been frustrated at the seemingly never ending decline of our heatlh care coverage. Our monthly premium is quite a bit less than yours, but I think the benefits are more or less equivalent. Even though our premiums are less, they've gone up a lot over the past few years and the benefits have decreased.

What really bugs me is that we used to have a nice pension plan that rewarded employees who stuck with the company for their entire careers - now that is completely gone and we're left to fend for ourselves via 401(k)'s. Not the kind of security employees of big companies used to have...
Todd | Email | Homepage | 01.02.05 - 6:20 pm | #

I work for a foundation, and foundations are notorious for overly generous benefits, so...

I don't pay anything for my health care coverage, and my co-pay is only $10, and there is only a deductible if I go to someone out of the plan, and it isn't very much (like $100).

But I realize that I am very lucky...

(we also get free lunch)
eric | Email | Homepage | 01.06.05 - 11:52 pm | #

$35 per office visit? Yeah, that plan sucks! We've got the option of Blue Shield HMO or PPO at my work (Digital Domain). I've opted for the HMO because Gerard and I aren't sick that often, and it's provided to me free by the company. PPO would run me about $80/month for both of us. I'm also very grateful that DD offers benefits for domestic partners.

Loving your blog, by the way.
Rich Cole | Email | Homepage | 01.08.05 - 3:11 am | #