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Healthcare coverage at CO

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J

jersey guy

Member
Joined
May 13, 2005
Posts
22
Has anyone gone to CO and not their utilized COBRA benefits and instead opted for less expensive healthcare options? I'm covered through December and have a wife and two kids to cover though June. I know some guys went over and found health coverage for A LOT less than $800+/month...HELP!!!

Company names and websites would be a BIG help.
 
jersey guy,

There are a lot of options out there: Assurant (Continental's "plan"), BlueCross, Kaiser. What you'll find is that you will be able to purchase some form of high deductable plan. Basically, you will be covered for emergency services and prescriptions after a deductable of anywhere between $500 to $2,500 per family member. These policies are really just a stopgap to keep you from having to face a moster hospital bill should something serious happen. Your present insurance will end on December 31 (I assume you are XJet) and your CAL coverage will begin June 1, so you are looking at a 5 month gap.

I recommend that if you opt not to go the Cobra route and instead buy a high decuctible program that you stock up on any prescriptions that you or your family may need in the interim. ie - If anyone has seasonal allergies, get your refills now.

Bottom line, it sucks. The only possitive about CAL's insurance is that they have some really good, reasonably priced plans once you get to your sixth month.

-minrest
 
Since the thread question was answered...

What is up with the 6 month wait? I'm suprised cause CAL is one of the better employee freindly airlines? No?

I mean no health insurance is like a human rights issue in our country...
 
I used assurant for my wife and I much cheaper that cobra. The only thing is it does not cover pregrancy for your wife. You must pay for doctors up front and once you reach your deductible pays out 100% or 80% whatever you get. Was pretty good rates 110 I think for my wife and I a month. As far as my kids go in Michigan they have a law that no child will be left without medical insurance. So I had them under the MIchild (blue cross blue sheild) 5 dollars a month for both kids and 100% coverage no copays or anything. This includes dental as well. I had heard about this from another pilot friend of mine apllied and was accepted. Had to send in new hire letter and write a letter explaning our pay. It is good for one year, but I cancelled as soon as I got coverage at CO.
 
I also before my regular insurance ran out went to the doctors got check whole family and all perscriptions filled.
 
If you have two kids you will qualify for Medicaid in any state in the U.S. You will also qualify for WIC support which will give you food for your kids since the government says you don't make enough money to feed two kids unless you make at least $3084 per month. You actually qualify if you only have one kid as that income level is $2560. If you show them your min guarantee that will qualify you, and you will have FREE healthcare for the entire year for your kids and you will get about $150-$200 per month in food vouchers. The medicaid is nationwide and the WIC levels depend on your state. Kind of pathetic that a legacy airline doesn't provide health insurance from day 1.
 
Truckdriver said:
Kind of pathetic that a legacy airline doesn't provide health insurance from day 1.
Click to expand...

They also don't provide the following in their job description:

• When working or traveling on JetBlue flights, and if time permits, all capable Crewmembers are asked to assist with light cleaning of the aircraft



Sincerely,

B. Franklin
 
"What is up with the 6 month wait? I'm suprised cause CAL is one of the better employee freindly airlines? No?..."

RezOLushon – I believe that if all CO pilots started wearing their hats, the company would immediately show them more respect and reward them with an improved and cheaper health insurance. ;)
I mean didn’t you say FedEx pilots got a great contract mainly because their MEC asked their pilots to wear their hats?


"...If wearing the hat is good enough for a SWA commercial to sell tickets and the FedEx pilots to get THE BEST CONTRACT, then it is good enough for me..."

Sorry for hi-jacking the thread guys.
 
Last edited:
If the health care issue is such a hardship on you and your family, by all means, do not apply at CAL. Consider it a deal breaker and move on.

You know about it from the get go. Its like first year pay. Don't biatch about it on this board, bring it up at your interview. Begin the interview by making a statement: "IF I don't get health benefits and a living wage, then I'm going to take my talent over to XXX airlines". Set the pace.

This ain't rocket science folks. If you can't give six months health care for a career, then perhaps a life style change may do you some good. Is your health bad enough that you must see a physician every half year?
 
erj-145mech said:
If the health care issue is such a hardship on you and your family, by all means, do not apply at CAL. Consider it a deal breaker and move on.

You know about it from the get go. Its like first year pay. Don't biatch about it on this board, bring it up at your interview. Begin the interview by making a statement: "IF I don't get health benefits and a living wage, then I'm going to take my talent over to XXX airlines". Set the pace.

This ain't rocket science folks. If you can't give six months health care for a career, then perhaps a life style change may do you some good. Is your health bad enough that you must see a physician every half year?
Click to expand...


Well Mr. erj-145mech,

It is not a hardship for me or my family. I just wanted to know what most of the guys who went to CO did for benefits. If you read my original post, you will see I am doing some general research, nowhere am I complaining about the deal.


Thanks to everyone else who had useful information.
 
Last edited:
erj-145mech said:
If the health care issue is such a hardship on you and your family, by all means, do not apply at CAL. Consider it a deal breaker and move on.

You know about it from the get go. Its like first year pay. Don't biatch about it on this board, bring it up at your interview. Begin the interview by making a statement: "IF I don't get health benefits and a living wage, then I'm going to take my talent over to XXX airlines". Set the pace.

This ain't rocket science folks. If you can't give six months health care for a career, then perhaps a life style change may do you some good. Is your health bad enough that you must see a physician every half year?
Click to expand...

You owe jersey guy an apology. He didn't say he didn't like it. Re-read his first post and then get your foot out of your mouth.
 
Ben Franklin said:
They also don't provide the following in their job description:

• When working or traveling on JetBlue flights, and if time permits, all capable Crewmembers are asked to assist with light cleaning of the aircraft



Sincerely,

B. Franklin
Click to expand...

Gee, another JB slam, what a surprise.
 
Ben Franklin said:
They also don't provide the following in their job description:

• When working or traveling on JetBlue flights, and if time permits, all capable Crewmembers are asked to assist with light cleaning of the aircraft



Sincerely,

B. Franklin
Click to expand...


Now that was funny.
IAHERJ
 
Truckdriver said:
You actually qualify if you only have one kid as that income level is $2560. If you show them your min guarantee that will qualify you, and you will have FREE healthcare for the entire year for your kids and you will get about $150-$200 per month in food vouchers. The medicaid is nationwide and the WIC levels depend on your state. Kind of pathetic that a legacy airline doesn't provide health insurance from day 1.
Click to expand...

Am I reading this right? Two parents, one kid, and income of $2560/mo or less qualifies you for Medicaid?

Why would anyone COBRA or buy catastrophic? Is Medicaid that bad?
 

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