Will health insurance companies let you negotiate a premium rate or should I just cancel or just not pay?

[Anonymous]

My previous plan, I had to pay NOTHING, because I'm unemployed, but they didn't know I didn't make any money this year and wanted to charge me $740 monthly premium. I reaplied and told them I'm not making anything, and they put me on a new plan which I thought would be lower, but they sent me the same price and want my first payment before the 1st. How can they charge someone who isn't making money that much? That's over $8000 per year, they don't even know how much I have in my bank account. I can pay $240 monthly, but no way am I paying $740. Will they negotiate with me? If not, I'm just gonna cancel my plan. I don't go to the doctor that often. They'll deduct a penalty from my taxes, but it's only between $900 and $2000 which is certainly better than $8000.

It said if I don't pay it they'll cancel it, but might also give me a 1 month grace period and if I STILL don't pay it, I'll get bad credit and I'll get charged a penalty.

I need to take care of this ASAP, because everything will be closed between Christmas and New Year.

I don't need these kinds of problems before the holidays.

I live in CA.

I HATE this country and this state!

Updates

6 mo

They said they'll negotiate🤣

[CupcakeTheDestroyer]

So everyone’s health insurance premiums are going up right now. My guess is because you live in California, the state that funds 80% of all federal funds through taxation alone, they’re going off of median income. And with ACA coverages being discontinued, this kinda hurts anyone making a wage. My best friend is in a similar boat to you, her insurance premium is going up from a manageable $150 to $675 a month. Mine was income-based tax credits (ACA) that were originally only $12 a month, now going up to $117 a month. There’s not really anything to be done and if you can’t afford it, you might be better off cancelling it. The deadline for insurance application was December 15th, which has come and gone. The only way you can change your insurance now is to have a “life event” in the new year, ie changing your job, moving house, having a kid, getting married, etc.

[Asker]

Fuck! In that case, I'll probably just cancel and take the penalty. My my mom won't be happy, but no way am I spending $8000 on health inssurance.

[Asker]

And hopefully I don't have to go to the hospital for something serious

[CupcakeTheDestroyer]

If you do, depending on your income, you can probably do the hospital’s financial aid plan. All American hospitals are legally required to have financial aid available to allow patients to reduce and pay for things. I’ve used it pretty much anytime I’ve gone to the hospital and my income is less than 20k a year so they usually clear my debts as soon as that information is confirmed. Also, asking for itemized receipts can reduce the cost somewhat because they don’t want you to know they’re overcharging you and it changes once that receipt goes through.

[OneViewpoint]

As an individual no, there is no negotiation. What you can do is shop around to the available health insurance networks for the best price / coverage. But that's about the extent of your leverage.

For large groups of people, say a company with 5,000 lives including employees, spouses, and dependents, you can compete that business in an RFP/RFQ process and yes, you can negotiate coverage and price. But it's a major undertaking and most companies don't have the stomach for it every year. It also causes a lot of disruption for the people being insured when their healthcare network changes every 12 months. So companies get taken to the cleaners too by sticking with one carrier for 5 years while premiums keep getting jacked up.

Private, for profit insurance in the USA is a fucking disaster that isn't working for anyone but insurance companies, drug companies, and middlemen like brokers and PBM's.

[loveslongnails]

If you're unemployed and poor, you'd be eligible for Medicaid if you're a citizen. Do you have a social security number? If you don't, you can't apply. I'm confused as to whether you're a citizen or not? If you show no income at all, you should be able to get coverage under Medicaid.

Insurance companies do not negotiate individual rates. The only time they consider a negotiated rate is if you're a business with a large enough number of employees. Welcome to Health "We Don't Care" in the USA. It's not California, it's every state.

[Asker]

I AM. I'm not "poor". I have enough money in my bank account, I just don't want to spend that much of it on healthcare

[loveslongnails]

Your bank account doesn't matter, it's your taxable income for the past year and the upcoming year. If you don't want health care, just buy catastrophic insurance with a monstrous deductible and basically self-insure. Good luck with that. Or check out one of the Concierge programs where you pay doctors direct for a flat rate each month.

[Anonymous]

Has nothing to do with the state. Has everything to do with republicans. Thank those people for your massive bill.

[Asker]

Yeah. Isn't this Trump's policy?

[DryGermanGuy]

Jeezez Christ America, get some sort of a working national healthcare insurance system going. You're only 150 years late. It can't be that difficult, even with these GOP psychos trying to sabotage every step of the way. Let's hope for a 2026/28 blue wave?

[egan3141]

First problem, you live in cali. Second problem, you have no job. No, this isn't a jab at cali and being homeless. California is a very expensive state AND health insurance is more expensive when you don't have a job. So, literally, those are your first two problems. In case you are unaware, the employer actually pays money towards the employee's health insurance.

[Asker]

" insurance is more expensive when you don't have a job."

That is so ridiculous and makes no sense. How do they expect people to pay? It should be the opposite

[egan3141]

Did you miss the last sentence? THE EMPLOYEER PAYS. That's why it's cheaper. The second reason is because large employers get discounts because they are getting so many plans. "Buy in bulk" discounts essentially. Insurance is a business.

[Asker]

I didn't miss it, it just doesn't sound logical to charge someone who doesn't have money coming in MORE

[egan3141]

They aren't charging more. You just don't get a discount because you are not buying in bulk AND you don't have a second party helping you pay.

Just because you want something doesn't mean it's stupid, unfair, ridiculous, or anything else when you don't get it.

[Asker]

So it's logical and smart to?
Nevermimd

[In_Trance]

There's no negotiation

[Mariogirl09]

Change insurances

[Asker]

I don't know why i didn't think about that. That's probably a pain in the ass though

[Mariogirl09]

It may take a few weeks. But can you sign up through your county?

[Mariogirl09]

Your county is for people like you

[Asker]

I was just there

[Mariogirl09]

Good. What happened?

[Asker]

I have to make a call

[Mariogirl09]

Pr you can apply online

[Mariogirl09]

Or**