SavvySugar

Reality Check: Working at Starbucks, Just For the Health Care

SavvySugar — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 08:30:52 -0700

Health insurance has become an invaluable benefit - if an accident were to occur and you didn't have coverage, you could be paying off a mountain of medical debt for years to come. A Reuters article highlights just how important insurance is for Americans when considering employment opportunities, and profiles a mother of three in Texas who has taken a part-time job just for the medical benefits.

That's right, full-time real estate agent Lisa DeWaal spends the first four hours of her days serving coffee at a Starbucks before heading to her office. DeWaal sought out employment with Starbucks solely for the affordable health insurance the company offers. Private insurance plans are burdensome for most households, and health experts say they've met plenty of people like DeWaal who are motivated to take or stick with a job because of the health benefits.

DeWaal begins her daily Starbucks shifts at 5 a.m, but those early mornings are worth it. The 20-hours a week at serving coffee allows her to rest easier at night because, for $180 a month, her family is insured. She commented, "Health insurance is exactly the reason why I have taken the extra job. It's company health insurance, which is a lot better than a private plan. I would put these extra hours into real estate if I had affordable health insurance."

Your Two Cents: Do You Have Health Insurance?

SavvySugar — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 12:00:23 -0700

Big changes could be in the future for health insurance. Are you currently insured?

I'm Asking: Do You Keep Up With Routine Dental Care?

SavvySugar — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 16:30:00 -0700

Fresh off the news that dentists have noticed an uptick in client visits, a new study suggests many Americans forgo routine dental care because it is considered a "luxury item."

A consumer adviser for the American Dental Association warns (just like your mother!) that prevention is always cheaper than fixing problems later, so anyone attempting to skimp out on routine visits is only hurting herself down the road.

I happen to be a little compulsive about dentist visits and take advantage of my dental coverage every six months, but I know many people don't have coverage and struggle to make room in their budget for routine work. Have you let it slide?
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7 Steps to Take When You've Been Laid Off

SavvySugar — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 07:15:26 -0800

The economy has been shedding jobs at an accelerated rate, forcing many workers to be the bearers of bad news when telling their families they've been laid off. A lot of people haven't dealt with a layoff before and feel panicked entering new territory. Start the slideshow to see seven steps that will help you gain control after losing your job.

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6 Things About COBRA Under the New Stimulus

SavvySugar — Mon, 02 Mar 2009 11:30:13 -0800

As if having to search for a new job after a layoff isn't enough stress, jobless workers must consider how they'll get health care coverage without their old employers' plans. COBRA, short for the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act passed by Congress in 1986, requires most group health care plans to provide a temporary continuation of coverage that an employee would typically lose after termination.

The downside to COBRA has been cost, but the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 calls for a 65 percent subsidy toward group health insurance premiums for laid-off employees. Here are six facts about the COBRA subsidy under the stimulus plan.

The subsidy only lasts for nine months.
You're eligible if you were laid off between Sept. 1, 2008 and Dec. 31, 2009.
To qualify for the subsidy, individuals must make less than $125,000 and families can't earn more than $250,000.
You are not eligible for the subsidy if your employer went out of business.
If you’ve already made COBRA payments, there's no provision for a retroactive credit for the previous payments.
If you missed your 62-day window for signing up for COBRA coverage (but were laid of in the eligible time period), the door is open for you to sign up again.

Are you currently paying for COBRA coverage?

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Dentists and Deodorant Are Recession Bedfellows

SavvySugar — Fri, 20 Feb 2009 11:30:36 -0800

There aren't many winners in this economy, so it's interesting to see which businesses are posting profits and getting it done despite the recession. It has become clear that hygiene is of the utmost importance as of late because dentistry and deodorant makers have been sitting pretty through the crisis.

Dentists attribute an uptick in client visits to a couple of patterns: People are grinding their teeth so much because of economy-related stress and need dental work because of it; those without dental insurance are putting off appointments to the point where they need serious work; and nervous employees with insurance are rushing to get to the dentist while they still have coverage.

To find out why deodorant sales are up, read more.

Deodorant makers are experiencing an increase in sales as well, and they are crediting the success to the release of more expensive clinical formulas. These products can cost more than double the price of original formulas, but cash-strapped consumers are willing to shell out the extra dough. Lisa J. Pieretti, executive director of the International Hyperhidrosis Society (hyperhidrosis means extreme sweating) explained why she thinks people are paying more and said, "At least I’d have the confidence that I’m not going to go to a job interview and have huge sweat stains under my arms, which will make people perceive that I’m nervous or lying or I don’t know what I’m talking about."

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I'm Asking: Have Your Healthcare Expenses Increased in 2009?

SavvySugar — Tue, 10 Feb 2009 11:30:43 -0800

I feel lucky to have health insurance because I know that so many Americans are living without it. That being said, it really hurts when necessary expenses increase while our salaries stay the same. Updated healthcare packages typically come with the new year, and as the costs of those packages increases, it's only natural that employers pass them on to their employees. Are you contributing more for health insurance than you have in the past?

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News Flash: Nation Sees More Jobless Claims Than Expected

SavvySugar — Fri, 24 Oct 2008 04:00:33 -0700

The number of Americans filing new claims for jobless benefits went up by a larger than expected rate last week, according to The New York Times.

Claims for state unemployment insurance benefits increased to 478,000 in the week that ended Oct. 18, from 463,000 the previous week, the Labor Department said. Apparently it was the 26th consecutive week that claims were above three million, which the NYT touts as a "sign that the slowing economy was making it harder for workers to find jobs."

“The story is that the underlying trend is moving up pretty strongly and job losses are clearly getting worse,” said Nigel Gault, chief United States economist at Global Insight in Lexington, Mass.

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Should You Stick to Your Current Health Care Plan? Maybe

SavvySugar — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 09:45:43 -0700

The most confusing part of getting my first job out of college wasn't getting used to the structured days, it was deciphering the health care plan options that were offered in my benefits package. Years later, the choices make a little more sense but they still aren't 100 percent clear, and one thing is for sure: health care is more expensive. Hewitt Associates estimates that total health care spending will cost eight percent more than it was last year, and not paying attention to whether or not your plan is best for you could mean you are spending more than necessary. CNN Money broke down how to evaluate the situation so you can make changes to your plan for 2009 if needed.

Separate the apples from the oranges. More companies are offering the option of high-deductible plans with an HSA. This type of plan will likely save you money while you're healthy, but could end up costing you more when you are sick. Make sure you can afford the deductible before opting for this plan.
Narrow the oranges. Are your doctors in-network? And would you ever want to go out of network? If you want to keep your current provider, call your doctors to see if they'll accept the plans you're considering. Note that HMO and POS plans usually require a recommendation to see a specialist, so if you're too busy to fit in an extra appointment just to get the referral, a PPO might be a better choice.

Don't miss steps three and four, just read more.

Zero in on key costs. Make a chart comparing the following costs: Premium, deductible, co-pays and co-insurance, prescription coverage (confirm that the plan covers your current meds), and out-of-pocket maximums.
Pick your final answer. Don't miss the sign-up deadline. According to Watson Wyatt, more companies are defaulting workers into high-deductible plans instead of their past year's choice. You want a plan that you'll be able to afford no matter your health status.

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Some Prenups Expanding to Include Health Insurance Clauses

SavvySugar — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 04:00:38 -0700

Prenuptial agreements are traditionally designed to dictate what will happen with a couple's finances in case of divorce, and now they're expanding to include some clauses for other money-related issues.

Health care is something that's already pushing some couples to the altar; in just the past year, seven percent of adults in the US married for health insurance. Insurance doesn't come cheap and it can be difficult to find good coverage that isn't very expensive - that's why some couples are designing prenups with a clause allowing for continued health insurance should they divorce.

The appearance of these clauses suggests health care is a big worry for those looking to the future. What do you think of the inclusion of health insurance in prenups?

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