This thread goes along with the theme of my other thread. But this one is more of advice to the young folks out there or those seeking new employment. And that is to ask about the details on your medical benefits when taking a job.
When I first started working at my current company, medical insurance paid for everything. They even paid for some cosmetic surgery for me back in the day.
Over time less and less was covered. Doctors visits were paid by the insurance. Over time a co-pay was added and the co-pays started getting increasingly more expensive. Now they have eliminated the co-pay and you have to pay for the whole cost of the doctors visit up until you pass your out of pocket. For single people that is $2000 for a family I believe it is $4000. The only good news is that the insurance company negotiates a much lower price for the visit that you pay.
Some of you might know I have some issues with my heart. I am pretty fit but my issues still need to be managed. I just got a bill from my electrophysiologist for $185. I will need to visit my cardiologist in June and will get a similar bill. I make OK money and I am single so not a big deal to me, especially since it is for my health. But there are plenty of people at my company in lower level jobs that make far less than me and have families. Frankly I don't see how they do it.
So just a bit of advice. When you negotiate your salary on your new job, know all of your costs to work at the company. Medical costs are going o be a major cost today so it is important that you have an understanding of what that particular company is going to provide.
When I first started working at my current company, medical insurance paid for everything. They even paid for some cosmetic surgery for me back in the day.
Over time less and less was covered. Doctors visits were paid by the insurance. Over time a co-pay was added and the co-pays started getting increasingly more expensive. Now they have eliminated the co-pay and you have to pay for the whole cost of the doctors visit up until you pass your out of pocket. For single people that is $2000 for a family I believe it is $4000. The only good news is that the insurance company negotiates a much lower price for the visit that you pay.
Some of you might know I have some issues with my heart. I am pretty fit but my issues still need to be managed. I just got a bill from my electrophysiologist for $185. I will need to visit my cardiologist in June and will get a similar bill. I make OK money and I am single so not a big deal to me, especially since it is for my health. But there are plenty of people at my company in lower level jobs that make far less than me and have families. Frankly I don't see how they do it.
So just a bit of advice. When you negotiate your salary on your new job, know all of your costs to work at the company. Medical costs are going o be a major cost today so it is important that you have an understanding of what that particular company is going to provide.