Need advice on catastrophic health ins for a family.

[Old and In the Way]

1. Another example of private insurance failures. Join the club.

I really have no constructive advice, but I might suggest seeing if there are any state health ins. programs that you might qualify for, even if you have to pay.

The whole idea of private health insurance is, at it's core, a joke. They are in business to maximize profits and shareholder value. By definition that means denying/delaying/reducing their contract obligations with their policyholders wherever possible. They have an army of legal resources and employees incentivized to minimize claim costs. Because claim payouts reduces their profits. Since 2000, I've carried private health insurance (now paying $1400/mo) and have maximum deductibles because it's the cheapest rate we could find. When we have had legitimate claims made in the past, the SO has spent countless hours trying to get these claims honored.

I'd gladly pay my $1400/mo into a single-payer, federal, not-for-profit plan, knowing that the private corporate bureaucrat on the hour end of the phone is not motivated against my financial interest for claim settlement. I'm all for the free market system in our lives - except when it comes to our health. it does not belong here.