Looking for information please

[radical noodle]

I don't know if this group is appropriate to my question, but it seemed like my best shot among the choices.

My daughter lives in Indiana and has a health insurance plan through the school system where she teaches. As a single woman, her deductible is $3500 per year. Her income is not great enough to pay living expenses, college loans, and the deductible every year (and yes, sadly, it seems most years she has just enough issues medically to incur the $3500 charges). So my question is this: is there a private policy she can get to just cover the deductible or is there any other way to deal with this?

Thanks in advance to anyone who can help.

[Silent Type]

1. I believe AFLAC -- think the duck commercials on TV -- covers that. Personally, I'd just put money

aside when she can to help with expenses. It's not likely insurance companies are going to issue a policy that they don't charge you more in premiums than they'll pay out in benefits.


One can set up a Health Savings Account (HSA) to pay for deductibles, copayments, coinsurance, and other qualified medical expenses. That might allow her to save a little. It's kind of like setting up an IRA or 401(k).

https://www.healthcare.gov/glossary/health-savings-account-hsa/#:~:text=A%20type%20of%20savings%20account,your%20overall%20health%20care%20costs.

In any event, tell her thanks for teaching.

[radical noodle]

2. Yes, she has the option for a HSA but

she has almost no cushion to use to fund it or to save up for deductibles. Add to that the unfairness of single people having higher deductibles than married folks.

Thanks. I'll check out AFLAC.

[Lonestarblue]

3. I don't know whether this is an option, but she might check the cost of the ACA.

She would need to opt out of the school health plan, but since teachers in Indiana probably do not make a bunch of money, a similar plan but with a lower deductible might cost less than the school policy and the deductible.

[radical noodle]

5. Thanks!

You're right about the income of Indiana teachers.

[Midnight Writer]

8. A teacher friend in Illinois found a cheaper, better policy through the ACA.

[radical noodle]

12. I'll suggest she look into it

While much of her coverage is great, the deductibles are killing her. Thanks!

[Timewas]

4. For Hospital bills

Every non-profit hospital is required to offer financial assistance, ours gives 100% assistance if you make less than 300% of the poverty level, this does not help with anything but hospital bills but it is there if needed.

[radical noodle]

6. Most of hers are

not hospital bills but xrays, MRIs, ultrasounds... stuff like that. They're expensive but necessary.

It's good to know about the hospital help, though. Thanks!

[Timewas]

7. Actually

Many of those services are offered by hospitals, if her Dr. can schedule them through the a hospital it works. Fortunately for me the local hospital system has all of these available plus a urgent care system. My cancer and urology is all through the hospital and they have al the scans neede,MRI,CT and lab work so get by pretty well.

[radical noodle]

9. We hadn't even considered that option

Great advice! Thanks so much.

[Timewas]

10. Some Hospitals

Don't make it known about that option and if they are a for profit then probably not available but non-profits are required by law to offer it even if they don't advertise it much.

[radical noodle]

11. Can they ever refuse treatment if this option is taken?

There's really only one decent hospital near her so she can't do something that will cause them to turn her away when she needs a test or treatment.