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.

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.

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.

You're right about the income of Indiana teachers.

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

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.

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!

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.

Great advice! Thanks so much.

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.

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.