Weddingbee boards

I've gone without health insurance before for several years- my job didn't provide it, I couldn't buy it on my own at the time, and I had trouble finding a new job. It sucks. Every time you get sick or think you might be/ get sick or have a "near miss" for some kind of accident (like a bad fall or something), you end up mentally weighing how bad it would *really* be to not seek medical help, and you end up postponing things. Also, keep in mind that things cost a LOT more than many insured people think they do. This includes checkups and emergency services- so if you can't afford the insurance, you also may not be able to afford any care (including basics like a yearly checkup) out of pocket (unless your income is low enough that you qualify for clinics or medical assistance- I was in that gray area where you can't afford things, but you make more than qualifications for many types of assistance).

I have not yet gotten a job that provides me with insurance, but have been buying it myself since I started my last job. If you can do that and get the dream job, I say to go for it. My insurance has a $2,000 deductible, and I get one check-up and one OBGYN appointment per year without having to meet that deductible. Having to pay for the first $2,000 out of pocket sucks, but I know that that money will be eaten up in my first day if I need hospitalization.

If you really like your current job, I think you should check into private plans.  This has been an issue for me lately and I have found some that I think are pretty reasonable ($100-$150/month depending on policy).  One FYI, though:  apparently, there is a waiting period before many plans will cover pregnancy and delivery expenses.  If you are planning to have children, make sure you know what is/will be covered!  Good luck. 

I've never had health insurance. I'm thinking about getting some kind, because as I get older I need to have a general practitioner, a dentist, and a gyno at least for yearly checkups. I haven't been to a doctor for literally as long as I can remember, so it's good I'm healthy and luckily I've had no emergencies/accidents. I had to have a minor surgery on my foot last year and paid for it out-of-pocket (a few hundred dollars). I just went to the dentist last month (for the first time in 5/6 yrs!) and paid for that myself as well. My job does offer insurance, and I'm considering it, but I don't plan on staying there very long and it's a very minimal plan. I think it may be some good for real emergencies, but for general checkups and dentistry, not so much. I tried to figure what it would cover when I have my wisdom teeth out within the next year, and it was practically nothing (like $50 I think). So right now I'm debating and I think I'm going to try to wait until I either get another job with a better insurance plan, or find a good private plan.