Reply #2: Our Youngest Is A "No," And I Bet This Story's Typical [View All]

[Raejeanowl]

The not-quite-21-year-old daughter we have living at home would have been eligible to stay on our "family" plan until at least age 22 and possibly until 25 had she remained a full-time student (12+ credit hours per semester). However, she elected to change that last September. Since then, she has been diddling around indecisively with various trivial employers-including the current one-who, while they are happy to schedule her up to full-time hours, are reluctant to officially designate her as a full-time employee, thereby incurring an obligation to offer the health benefits available to their other full-timers.

Daughter has been "going naked" for nine months, and balks at the 150 to 200 per month (and more) she has been quoted for a mediocre HMO(!!!)plan. She has no history of major problems or pre-existing conditions to justify those rates. Now she is delaying routine preventive doctor visits.

Dad and I are reluctant to underwrite any larger a share of her expenses than we already do, and are frustrated trying to expedite a resolution whereby she accepts responsibility for herself. But in the meanwhile, I do not sleep well thinking about the possible financial consequences of a catastrophic accident or illness, or the impediments that might be raised in obtaining treatment, all due to a lack of insurance coverage.