Anyone get health insurance through ASAI?

[jackb602]

I'm curious about the health insurance program offered through the ASAI, but it seems that you need to be a member to get any detailed information about the plan they offer. Does anyone use them for health insurance? Who is the actual insurance provider? What are your likes or dislikes?

 

Thanks,

Jack

[Chris LeBlanc]

Jack-

 

I do not have insurance through them, yet. But I am a member of ASAI and have received a quote and some information on what they offer. It seemed like a pretty good plan, although about the same cost as what we are currently paying. I was expecting it to be less than our currently plan, as we are on an individual (not group) plan currently.

 

I am still considering it, though. I am currently trying to figure out if going with this type of group plan will keep my rates from being raised too high as I get older, which might make more of a difference in the long run from my individual plan costs.

 

Anybody else have experience with group vs individual insurance plans in the US?

 

If anyone is looking for disability insurance, I did learn of a group plan for that which is a great deal. If you are a member (or associate) of the AIA, the AIA Trust offer a great deal for your disabiliy insurance...much lower rates than the quotes I received as an individual.

 

Hope that helps,

 

Chris

[jackb602]

I have had individual insurance for a few years now, but I'm hoping I could save some money by joining a group plan. I think I'll just drop the ASAI a line to see if they can give me some information before I go ahead and join them.

 

Jack

[Ernest Burden III]

Early in my career I looked at insurance through a group--the Graphic Artists Guild. Its a great group, but back then (more than 20 years ago) being an artist was the wrong group to be calling yourself. It was actually more expensive than an individual policy. I guess the insurers figured a bunch of artists were all gay and going to be getting AIDS. I'm hoping that situation is now a matter of history.

 

But if you want a group policy, I bet you would get a better rate if you could be in with architects or accountants or shoe salesmen than an illustrator.

 

And disability coverage is hard to get if you work out of your home. The reason is that the test for 'disabilty' includes 'can you get to work'? I have a disability policy that is attached to a life policy--too hard to get a stand-alone one since I have a home-based business.

[jackb602]

I saw the Graphic Artists' Guild mentioned on an old thread, but it looks like in Illinois I would only be eligible for individual insurance, which is what I already have. I know the AIA used to offer health insurance, but no longer. Alumni associations (or at least the ones I belong to) don't seem to offer it either. My individual plan isn't all that bad, but it would be nice to save some money as part of a group.