Believe me, we've tried. I have scoured the internet looking for organizations that I could join that would offer group insurance for my family, but to no avail. The few leads I'm followed up on fizzled i.e., they didn't offer it anymore, they only offered it to members in the northeast,California, etc or it was no cheaper than what I now pay. However, getting group insurance through an organization has its downside as well. When I lived in NYC joined some business group (can't remember the name now)that offered health insurance. Then, all of a sudden, with very little notice, it was cancelled for the whole group and I was left to find other coverage.

people didnt really listen to me when i said enrolling in a college can be an option. Look at the below,Arizona State University as an example:
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Campus Health Service » Insurance
Health Insurance Information
In cooperation with Arizona Board of Regents and Campus Health Service, ASU sponsors an affordable policy in which students may enroll. The Health Insurance Office is located in the Health Service Building to handle questions about this policy.

For students who carry insurance but may have high deductibles or are "out of network," Campus Health Service offers an affordable program, the Bridge Plan, which discounts some medical visits, laboratory tests, and x-rays.

ASU Student Health Insurance Eligibility
Undergraduates: Enrolled in a program of study. 7 credit hours.
Graduates: Enrolled in a graduate program and taking at least 1 class in a program of study. Non-degree, 9 credit hours.
Teacher Certification Graduates: Active in professional program taking at least 1 class in a program of study.

United HealthCare for Students
The summary of benefits for the Student Health Insurance product offered through UnitedHealth, details specific to the plan.
For information about the enrollment please come to the Health Service Building or E-mail us at insurance@asu.edu .
Rates for Fall Semester August 16, 2006 - January 15, 2007
Student $527
Student and Spouse $2,067
Student and Children $1,843
Student, Spouse and Children $2,729
Rates for Spring Semester January 16, 2007 to August 15, 2007
Student $737
Student and Spouse $2,894
Student and Children $2,580
Student, Spouse and Children $3,820
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So CollegeCredit Cost+insurance=
$2,345+$737=$3,082
$2,345+$2,894=$5,239
$2,345+$3,820=$6,165

You don't have to enroll in hard courses or even go to campus.Take classes that are easy or interesting and take them online.

Insurance Benifits

Has anybody looked at getting coverage from the National Association for the Self-Employed? Seems easy to join, but I don't know if their policies are true group policies governed by HIPAA.

This site also lists some other organizations for the self-employed, and also offers some other interesting tips:

Link

eyeluvtrget said:people didnt really listen to me when i said enrolling in a college can be an option. Thanks for the suggestion. I will look into this as well. And green to OP (no wonder my wife's health insurance plan suddenly disappeared and she was switched to another plan after three years = HealthNet).

Susannah said:Update: I just checked and it seems IEEE is "not currently accepting applications" for their group comprehensive plan.

from http://www.personal-plans.com/product/ieeeinsurance/ http://www.personal-plans.com/ieeeinsurance/lite/benefits/plan.do?planID=4024

IEEE HealthCare Insurance Resource Site
Regions 1 through 6
Beginning January 1, 2007 significant changes to the plan will be enacted; including, but not limited to plan eligibility restrictions for individuals who are Medicare® eligible, higher deductibles, benefit limitations, a new maximum plan benefit, and note that the plan will no longer be accepting new enrollees.

To answer the questions about group health insurance, ASCE (civil) still has group health insurance offered under New York Life. As expected, premiums are high and can be up to 50% higher than listed if you are placed in a poor rate classification, however, you cannot be turned down. Lifetime maximum is $1 million. For example, the base rate for a $5000 deductible plan is $315 a month at my age range, compared to $48 a month for a $2500 deductible plan from Blue Cross (pulled from my junk mail today). The ASCE plan is HSA compatible. As far as I know any ASCE "member" is eligible, which means either the equivalent in another engineering society (like IEEE) or being a licensed engineer or land surveyor. I don't think associate or affiliate members are eligible.

Link: http://www.personal-plans.com/product/asceinsurance/

my Aetna HSA went up over 20% this year (perfect health, no claims)

xoneinax said:Your pre-existing conditions are the reason for the increases.

No, pre-existing conditions could not be the reason for the increases. I have never had a claim. I have only asked the claims department what they would pay if I was to get treatment for a pre-existing condition.

I was just denied coverage through Blue Cross/Blue Shield because of medication taken for a back injury. I was told I could apply for MRMIP at $430.00 a month. That is almost half my rent. I figured they wouldn't cover the pre-existing condition...I never thought I would be flat-out denied.

So what happens to people who can't get insured bc of pre-existing conditions, when they want to start a family? They go bankrupt from the hospital fees?

mshen11 said:do individual plans like aetna and bluecross experience death spirals? they seem to be taking on new members and have increases every year.

if i am wrong.. how do i 'drop' my current plan and get something for cheaper?

Hi mshen11, Don't drop your current plan until you have found new coverage. Most important: The new coverage probably won't cover any prexisting conditions so you are stuck with your current provider. If you have any prexisting (even something like medication taken for a back injury like Prncsnyc)you might not be able to get new coverage at any price.
Talk to your state insurance regulator for ideas and possible ways to shop around.