https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Fri, 10 Apr 2026 19:56:15 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/travel-insurance-while-pregnant#post-2779052 Wed, 11 Oct 2017 14:19:07 +0000 nanilani 2779052@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@SwanSong: Thanks! I still have to call them, but the plans online look promising. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/travel-insurance-while-pregnant#post-2779040 Wed, 11 Oct 2017 14:08:06 +0000 SwanSong 2779040@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@nanilani: this is the company we used. <a href="https://www.travelinsured.com/" rel="nofollow">https://www.travelinsured.com/</a> If you have to make a claim they contract out a lot of their processing but the contracted company was fabulous too and would call periodically to check in during my husbands hospital stay. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/travel-insurance-while-pregnant#post-2779028 Wed, 11 Oct 2017 13:49:23 +0000 nanilani 2779028@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@catlady: Negative reviews are just as helpful as positive recommendations! I'm sorry they screwed your family over and lied to you on top of it :sad: That would be so frustrating. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/travel-insurance-while-pregnant#post-2779022 Wed, 11 Oct 2017 13:45:56 +0000 catlady 2779022@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@nanilani: Yeah, sorry my post was really a long way of saying "I don't really recommend Allianz." So probably for the best that it wouldn't work for you anyway. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/travel-insurance-while-pregnant#post-2779021 Wed, 11 Oct 2017 13:43:42 +0000 nanilani 2779021@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@SwanSong: Do you happen to have a link for that company? I tried googling it and got every result under the sun for every company that sells international travel insurance.</p> <p>@catlady: I looked into Allianz and don't think it will work for us. For one it appears as if it would only cover 1/3 of our trip costs, but it also seems to have a very limited view of what's considered a valid pregnancy complication. I think what I would need is "cancel for any reason" insurance. I'll have to check into my other credit cards too. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/travel-insurance-while-pregnant#post-2779010 Wed, 11 Oct 2017 13:23:43 +0000 catlady 2779010@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Not for pregnancy, but we've used Allianz in the past and it was sort of ok but we lost quite a bit of money when we cancelled. In our case, our LO got roseola and the day of our trip had a fever of 105. We were supposed to travel to a wedding, so I ended up going and DH stayed home with LO. We made a mistake on our online form and I immediately called the company to fix it (basically I applied to get LO's flight covered but forgot to claim DH's flight too). The guy kept telling me that it would be fine and that of course DH would be covered. Of course, they ended up only covering LO's flight, and then when I called back again, they told me you can only submit a claim once and since they had already given us money, we couldn't get any more for DH. It didn't matter that I had literally called minutes after making the original submission to change it.</p> <p>We've relied on our credit card insurance for subsequent trips but haven't had to use them. You may be eligible just by purchasing the trip with that card (I know our chase card offers this, no need to actually book through them). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/travel-insurance-while-pregnant#post-2779006 Wed, 11 Oct 2017 13:13:43 +0000 SwanSong 2779006@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I used Travel Insurance International for my last family vacation to the DR, and unfortunately, ended up using it. They do have plans that cover preexisting conditions, which pregnancy may fall under (I assume, you wold probably want to speak with a rep) They were really easy to work with when I submitted my claim. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/travel-insurance-while-pregnant#post-2778997 Wed, 11 Oct 2017 13:00:32 +0000 nanilani 2778997@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@gingerbebe: We do have AmEx but would not be able to book the hotel we want directly through them (or any other third-party), so I don't think we'd be covered. I tried looking into their stand-alone travel insurance that's available to anyone for purchase, but it was vague on whether pregnancy was considered a pre-exisiting condition and how conditions related to it are or aren't covered. I haven't called them for more details yet. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/travel-insurance-while-pregnant#post-2778976 Wed, 11 Oct 2017 12:38:27 +0000 gingerbebe 2778976@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>If you are an American Express member and book travel through them, there is an option for trip coverage that like covers pretty much everything until wheels up. We had looked into that as a babymoon when I was pregnant with our first.</p> <p>Southwest also has a great cancellation/credit policy in terms of flights and the times we've used their hotel/car deals, they were often something where you pay at the location at a negotiated rate, so if you cancel, it shouldn't be a big deal. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/travel-insurance-while-pregnant#post-2778958 Wed, 11 Oct 2017 12:19:15 +0000 nanilani 2778958@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Can anyone recommend a travel insurance provider that covers trip cancellation for reasons related to pregnancy? My family is planning a trip when I'm around seven months pregnant, and while I hope this pregnancy is uneventful, I'm trying to plan for unexpected complications that might force me to cancel the trip last minute. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/fsa-cobra#post-2718560 Thu, 30 Mar 2017 16:18:35 +0000 kiddosc 2718560@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I don't know if it works differently through COBRA, but we spent our entire FSA amount at the beginning of the year when our daughter was born. I was laid off during the summer and the company had to eat the rest of the payments, we weren't responsible for anything beyond what we'd already paid in. I confirmed this with HR when we met to discuss my severance. I would confirm with your HR department. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/fsa-cobra#post-2718537 Thu, 30 Mar 2017 15:26:12 +0000 LBee 2718537@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@2PeasinaPod: Interesting! I ended up asking my husband about it and he said they said their plan was specifically written that way that upon termination you lose whatever amount your payments don't exceed unless you COBRA. At the time we didn't question it (since it was in the handbook) and it made sense to us to continue it through the year since we knew we were going to spend it and they paid in half. Google seems to indicate it is fairly rare for the plan to be written that way. Lucky us! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/fsa-cobra#post-2718533 Thu, 30 Mar 2017 15:21:59 +0000 2PeasinaPod 2718533@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@LBee: Interesting - they definitely cannot go after you if you use the entire amount of the FSA. So if I elected $2,600, and used it all on 1/2, and terminated on 1/3, I don't have to pay any of that back. It's absolutely the risk the company takes by offering an FSA. Subsequently, if you as the employee don't use he money by the end of the plan year and claim it by the deadline, you forfeit that money. That's the risk you take as the employee. </p> <p>But they certainly can't force you to continue to pay premiums under COBRA. If you stop COBRA, your coverage ends then. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/fsa-cobra#post-2718520 Thu, 30 Mar 2017 15:07:34 +0000 LBee 2718520@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@2PeasinaPod: Oh! I think I maybe misunderstood your post? The OP was asking if she could pay 1 Cobra premium and get the whole amount with Cobra by using it and then cut loose. I thought you were saying that was totally valid. We were told that if you Cobra it and use the full amount you have to still pay your premiums - they aren't "out" the unpaid premiums. We were responsible for paying what we used after he left his job. </p> <p>Potentially his plan was written differently (I saw where some companies can do this). I have no HR experience, just personal experience. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/fsa-cobra#post-2718518 Thu, 30 Mar 2017 15:01:40 +0000 2PeasinaPod 2718518@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@LBee: If they offer you an FSA in your job, they have to offer continuation of coverage afterwards like the second article says. You pay 102% of the premium.What's happening now? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/fsa-cobra#post-2718223 Thu, 30 Mar 2017 09:24:56 +0000 LBee 2718223@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@2PeasinaPod: My husband quit his job and that is not what they told us or our experience. We were responsible for paying the Cobra "premiums" (102%) with after-tax dollars to continue the FSA. We were 9 months in and had spent none so it obviously made sense. </p> <p>I did some research and everything I read confirms this. </p> <p><a href="https://www.shrm.org/resourcesandtools/tools-and-samples/hr-qa/pages/howdoescobraapplytohealthflexiblespendingarrangements.aspx" rel="nofollow">https://www.shrm.org/resourcesandtools/tools-and-samples/hr-qa/pages/howdoescobraapplytohealthflexiblespendingarrangements.aspx</a></p> <p><a href="http://www.kiplinger.com/article/spending/T020-C001-S001-what-happens-to-your-fsa-if-you-re-laid-off.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.kiplinger.com/article/spending/T020-C001-S001-what-happens-to-your-fsa-if-you-re-laid-off.html</a> </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/fsa-cobra#post-2718194 Thu, 30 Mar 2017 08:59:49 +0000 2PeasinaPod 2718194@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>For your Health Care FSA, you would be able to sign up for 1 month premium and spend your entire annual election amount for your FSA, then cancel COBRA. It's the risk the company takes when setting up an FSA. </p> <p>For example, if your annual election was $2,600, and you only contributed $600 towards it, terminated, then signed up for COBRA, you'd contribute one month at a post-tax premium. You could use the full $2,600, then drop COBRA.</p> <p>Fair warning that you might not be able to drop only pieces of your COBRA. So if you'd like to still be covered under medical as well as FSA, you may not be able to pick and choose the following month (meaning keeping medical and dropping FSA from COBRA). </p> <p>PM me if you have any questions. I work for the benefits department in my company. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/fsa-cobra#post-2718099 Wed, 29 Mar 2017 21:40:08 +0000 ski4578 2718099@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I am considering signing up for COBRA for my FSA and was hoping someone might be able to give me some insight. If I sign up for COBRA for one month and pay 1 premium will I be able to spend my entire annual election right away and then cancel it and the company would eat the cost of the unpaid premiums? Or will I only be able to spend the amount I had actually contributed thus far and pay back anything over once I cancel? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/health-insurance-costs#post-2666253 Thu, 15 Dec 2016 22:32:55 +0000 Iced Tea 2666253@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@yellowbird: Well, we have to pay 11,000 in premiums. Then I will most likely pay my individual max of $6550 (cause of prenatal stuff, delivery, postpartum). That brings us to 17,550 before my husband, daughter, or future baby have gotten any medical care at all (and they will STILL at that point be paying deductible for another $6550 before insurance shells anything out for them. So yeah, it's overwhelming. </p> <p>If I wasn't pregnant we would seriously not waste our money on this. We would try to find a cheap catastrophic plan and bank the rest. With the combination of high cost and low coverage, I feel like we are throwing it away all for fear of the small chance one of us has a car crash or gets cancer. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/health-insurance-costs#post-2666248 Thu, 15 Dec 2016 22:14:14 +0000 yellowbird 2666248@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Iced Tea: wow. That is really crappy! You essentially have to pay 20000 worth of medical expenses before insurances does anything!? How is that even feasible? </p> <p>I am employed by the state so my insurance coverage is good and affordable. I shudder to think about when I am not anymore though. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/health-insurance-costs#post-2666247 Thu, 15 Dec 2016 22:09:48 +0000 Iced Tea 2666247@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I should add that our plan covers nothing (except a handful of federally mandated preventative services) before the deductible. There are no copays; we simply have to pay ALL costs until reaching the deductible. And then the coinsurance...wait for it...is 50%!!</p> <p>I'm having a baby next year, and by my calculations, we will be lucky to escape the year with a medical cost total under 18,000 dollars. We could end up paying 20,000 or more. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/health-insurance-costs#post-2666245 Thu, 15 Dec 2016 22:04:55 +0000 Iced Tea 2666245@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My husband and I are both self-employed, so we have to buy our own insurance. Our plan in 2016 was pretty good and affordable, but the plan won't be offered next year. In fact, where we are located, almost every insurance company is refusing to issue policies that aren't employer group sponsored. Now we have just one company and two plans on the exchange. I feel like our options now are pathetic, but maybe you all can give me some perspective on what's available in your area. My husband seriously thinks we might have to move soon if this issue gets worse. </p> <p>Seemingly our best choice for a young non-smoking family of 3 (next year expanding to 4!):</p> <p>Humana Bronze HSA<br /> $916/mo (that's $10,992/yr)<br /> Deductible $4800 individual; $9600 family<br /> OOP Max $6550 individual; $13,100 family<br /> Comes with a very narrow network of providers only for Marketplace shoppers (not the normal Humana network). </p> <p>*Humana is also offering a Silver plan on the Marketplace here, but it costs $300+/mo more for a lower deductible (but higher max OOP). I realized the higher premium more than outpaced the lower deductible and nixed that option. </p> <p>What kind of choices do you have? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/help-with-insurance-options#post-2657860 Mon, 28 Nov 2016 10:42:21 +0000 KayKay 2657860@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>The HDHP. With the PPO, you're definitely paying $2400 more per year (premiums), even if you have no health costs. That more than makes up for the difference in deductibles ($1800), especially if you aren't anticipating any major medical events. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/help-with-insurance-options#post-2657856 Mon, 28 Nov 2016 10:34:45 +0000 sapphire 2657856@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I would do the high deductible since it fully covers well visits and the premiums are a lot cheaper and you're not looking at a lot of expenses this year. And it's still not a super high deductible. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/help-with-insurance-options#post-2657854 Mon, 28 Nov 2016 10:31:44 +0000 peaches1038 2657854@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Here is the info for my medical plan options. We did the high deductible plan last year and it was mostly fine, except it was difficult to find a pulmonologist in network for DS. We have one now, but it is over an hour drive away. We have no major medical expenses coming up this year, other than managing DS’s respiratory issues, which is through medication at this point. Which would you choose?</p> <p>Blue Cross High Deductible Plan (limited Network) = $136.01 per paycheck = $3536.25 per year<br /> Deductibles: $1500 individual / $3000 family<br /> Copays: $40 sick visit / $60 specialist visit / $0 vaccines and well visits / 20% co-ins X-ray, blood work, MRI, CT / $75 ER Services / 20% co-ins Urgent Care / $15 prescriptions</p> <p>BC PPO = $228.93 per paycheck = $5952.18 per year<br /> Deductibles: $600 Individual / $1200 Family<br /> Copays: $30 sick visit / $30 specialist visit / $30 vaccines and well visits / 20% co-ins co-ins X-ray, blood work, MRI, CT / $75 ER Services / $0 Urgent Care / $10 prescriptions</p> <p>DH, DS (1 year old) and I spent $1700 out of pocket last year, including $300 of prescriptions<br /> DS sees a Pulmonologist (specialist) 2x/year.<br /> DS usually has 1-2 chest x-rays per year<br /> DS will have 3 well visits in 2017. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-have-pet-insurance#post-2468921 Sat, 20 Feb 2016 20:11:34 +0000 Mrs. D 2468921@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Nope, we considered it when we got her, but didn't get it. At first we weren't sure if we were going to keep her, as our dd wasn't quite 2 and we weren't sure how they'd get along.<br /> Im not sure what we still don't have it, but she's never cost us much in care, plus we already got her fixed. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-have-pet-insurance#post-2468670 Sat, 20 Feb 2016 13:22:48 +0000 Boogs 2468670@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Long ago, I used VPI. It saved some money, but only because we were dealing with some major health issues. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-have-pet-insurance#post-2468577 Sat, 20 Feb 2016 10:18:24 +0000 808love 2468577@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MrsYellowJacket: yay! I just stumbled upon the company while doing a life insurance payment! So happy to hear you like it.<br /> By the way, they have a stand alone accident only insurance for $8 a month. If anyone wants that. I didn't go with that one though. Probably good for puppies. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-have-pet-insurance#post-2468548 Sat, 20 Feb 2016 09:24:42 +0000 MrsYellowJacket 2468548@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Yes!!!! $30/month for my two pups and literally received thousands in reimbursements (eating clothes, GI issues, toe nail accident, etc). To this day my husband says the pet insurance is the best insurance we have! We're through pets best. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-have-pet-insurance#post-2468464 Sat, 20 Feb 2016 07:01:32 +0000 Annette 2468464@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I do but our dogs breed is prone to so many health issues (hips, cancer, bloat, other genetic diseases) that we didn't want to risk going without. Its our first dog so it's hard to say yet whether it is worth it. He is showing signs of arthritis in his hips at 5 years old so we will see I guess. </p>