Hello: any help on this subject will be greatly appreciated. We are a family of four and will be moving to our country home in Missouri next year. We will be homesteading and i am setting up the budget. My question is, what is the best way to purchase health insurance. Is there a group we can join? Like a small farm owners association. Thank you

-- John Marenco (Jmarenco@aol.com), January 23, 2002

Answers

Response to health insurance

We made the mistake of getting Farm Bureau health insurance. The premiums are MUCH higher that other groups. Farmers, as a group, are NOT healthy in their old age. Too many chemicals. In their younger years, they have farm accidents.

I insured my teenage children through Reserve National. They had a reasonable policy to cover hospitalization.

www.reservenational.com

I am not affiliated with this company in any way.

-- Rose on the Texas Gulf Coast (open_rose@hotmail.com), January 23, 2002.

Response to health insurance

Hi John..

I've had some experience with various insurances..including being without for the past five years..just got some! Woohoo!

A few things to think about, find out about..

Are any of the adults going to be working for an employer? Are health benefits available through the employer? Is the family plan a reasonable rate?

Any of the kids at or near college age? Many colleges offer low cost insurance for students. Oftentimes these programs are available for parttime students. Even older adult students.

Really research the website that the state has. If you are not familiar with the state, you may be surprised to find hidden programs that are available. In the state I'm in [VT] there is a little known insurance program available. Off the top of my head, I think that a family of six can make around 30K or a bit more a year and still be eligible. They also do insurance for just kids. This is the insurance I finally got. It is a very good policy. $20 per year fee. $2 per doctor visit. 50% perscription. Etc. I am floored and amazed that I found this. [sorry..just had to gush a bit]

Finally, I would look into catastrophic insurance if the other insurances are just out of reach. At least it will cover you for major things and give you a bit of peace of mind.

Good luck!

-- pc (pc@nowhere.com), January 23, 2002.

Response to health insurance

You can check out this group, for "self employed"- no proof of self employment needed.

http://www.nase.org/ 1-800-232-NASE

-- Rick (WV) (Rick_122@hotmail.com), January 23, 2002.

Response to health insurance

We have a big deductible on ours from TRIGON BC/BS. Check out their website (sorry I don't have the web addy)--you'll be able to find it in search. Anyway, you just plug in what you want and your stats and they'll give you an estimate on line--then you can decide if you want it or not. We're happy with it. It is pretty reasonable.

-- Sharon (spangenberg@hovac.com), January 23, 2002.

60 Minutes did a story on the Farm Bureau last year, I think. "Farm Bureau" sounds so stalwart and community-oriented, but in fact, it is a lobbying organization which is in the pockets of bankers and agribusiness, and one of its platforms is the repeal of the Voting Rights Act of 1963(or whenever it was.)

-- snoozy (bunny@northsound.net), January 24, 2002.

We belong to a volunteer program of Christian Care Mutual Care that we have been extreemly pleased over the years; however it does encourage a biblical lifestyle. A couple in good health about $230 per mo. If you are interested contact me directly.

-- charlie (charliesap@pldi.net), January 24, 2002.