the Price of Health Insurance from COBRA

I pay $377 a month for COBRA health insurance. I did this because the people in the benefits department of my old job told me it would be less money, and it ended up being $377. I am currently researching other health insurance options.

I pay $25 per prescription, $20 for appointments, nothing for lab work, X-rays, or surgery, and $100 for emergency room visits.

I've had this HMO for my entire life, so I'm very familiar with it but I really don't want to pay this much money per month. I need to have prescription coverage because I have some very expensive prescriptions, so I kept it while I am researching other coverage.

With this particular HMO, you have to really be willing to fight for what you need. There are some really good doctors but the majority of them are overworked and don't (or are told not to) think outside the box. I have had to go to the emergency room for things that the regular doctor would not diagnose - in the ER, with a different doctor, it was found to be a real condition. On the other hand, I have gone to the ER and spent hours there with very obvious symptoms and not been diagnosed.

Make sure you know exactly what your health insurance will and will not pay for. Also, check and see how easy it is to switch doctors if you are not happy with your doctor.

With most HMOs, you will have to really be an advocate for yourself. Fight for what you need.