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<blockquote data-quote="finnimus" data-source="post: 1379452" data-attributes="member: 12900">Here are my thoughts:Self insure:&nbsp; I recommend against this.&nbsp; Yes there is the potential for savings if you put dollars into investments, etc. in a disciplined manner.&nbsp; However, there are a few things you should think about.&nbsp; First, if you need to see a physician, especially a specialist, many will not see non-insured patients.&nbsp; Secondly, if you require a procedure at a hospital, many are requiring large deposits to see uninsured patients for &quot;elective procedures.&quot;&nbsp; You would be surprised what they consider &quot;elective.&quot;&nbsp; Third, there prices for cash paying patients are often greater than what insurance companies pay.&nbsp; Yes, there is a self pay discount, but it&#039;s often not as good as what insurance companies get and there are paying terms attached (e.g. full amount in 90 days).&nbsp; Fourth, you said you are &quot;healthy.&quot;&nbsp; People in your age group have 3 main (non-trauma related) things they go to the hospital for:&nbsp; sports injuries, child birth, and the onset of suprise chronic conditions (MS, ALS, etc.).&nbsp; These are expensive to treat and your options are limited being self pay.&nbsp; $1k deductible vs. $5k deductible.&nbsp; I&#039;m assuming both have the same exact coverage, just a change in deductible.&nbsp; Between the two, I suggest $5k.&nbsp; It allows you to be &quot;insured,&quot; get treatment, and have a cushion incase something goes wrong.&nbsp; Definitely put the dollars aside.&nbsp; Being self employed, I would not suggest a catastrophic plan.&nbsp; I consider &quot;catastrophic&quot; any plan with a deductible greater than $10k.&nbsp; Let&#039;s say you are under a catastrophic plan and something goes wrong.&nbsp; Chances are you will be out of work for a while.&nbsp; If you are out of work, how is that going to affect your ability to pay the deductible on top of the 20% out of pocket?&nbsp; You&#039;re now looking at paying $10k+ out of pocket.&nbsp; The average cost of an ICU day is $3k, a day in a hosiptal bed is about half that.&nbsp; The $10k dissapates quickly, but the 20% out of pocket will keep tallying up.</blockquote>

[QUOTE="finnimus, post: 1379452, member: 12900"] Here are my thoughts: Self insure: I recommend against this. Yes there is the potential for savings if you put dollars into investments, etc. in a disciplined manner. However, there are a few things you should think about. First, if you need to see a physician, especially a specialist, many will not see non-insured patients. Secondly, if you require a procedure at a hospital, many are requiring large deposits to see uninsured patients for "elective procedures." You would be surprised what they consider "elective." Third, there prices for cash paying patients are often greater than what insurance companies pay. Yes, there is a self pay discount, but it's often not as good as what insurance companies get and there are paying terms attached (e.g. full amount in 90 days). Fourth, you said you are "healthy." People in your age group have 3 main (non-trauma related) things they go to the hospital for: sports injuries, child birth, and the onset of suprise chronic conditions (MS, ALS, etc.). These are expensive to treat and your options are limited being self pay. $1k deductible vs. $5k deductible. I'm assuming both have the same exact coverage, just a change in deductible. Between the two, I suggest $5k. It allows you to be "insured," get treatment, and have a cushion incase something goes wrong. Definitely put the dollars aside. Being self employed, I would not suggest a catastrophic plan. I consider "catastrophic" any plan with a deductible greater than $10k. Let's say you are under a catastrophic plan and something goes wrong. Chances are you will be out of work for a while. If you are out of work, how is that going to affect your ability to pay the deductible on top of the 20% out of pocket? You're now looking at paying $10k+ out of pocket. The average cost of an ICU day is $3k, a day in a hosiptal bed is about half that. The $10k dissapates quickly, but the 20% out of pocket will keep tallying up. [/QUOTE]

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