Health Care... where do I start?

[mcantar18c]

So as a couple of you know I'm a newly minted civilian, and man.. "transitioning" is a pain in the ass.
Well, it's come time to look at our healthcare options and holy shit it's like trying to pick a needle in a pile of needles.
USAA offers health insurance (I had no idea until yesterday) and they've proven to be the best option with numerous things in the past, so I'm tempted to avoid the headache and just go with them, but I know that line of thinking can often lead to even worse headaches. I haven't and don't want to even bother with the damn VA, especially not in an area that must be as overloaded as mine, but I will for me to save money... my (pregnant) wife is my main concern here.
I've also been hearing about people paying $800+ a month for relatively low coverage options and we certainly can't afford that. And apparently if we wait too long we'll get some form of slap on the wrist from The O.
Where do I start? What has worked for you?

[Madeinhb]

Start in the exchanges. They can give subsidies. Get a feel for what they are charging - then start calling private companies.

[Bailey Guns]

^^ Yeah, that's what I'd do. As much as I despise the exchanges and what it means for the country it's probably the best place to start. You can create kind of a baseline for cost and go from there.

[jhood001]

http://connectforhealthco.com/

[Bailey Guns]

http://connectforhealthco.com/

I just went there and browsed plans. $298 per month was the cheapest for my age, non-tobacco user. Thank God my wife and I have great coverage through her employer. It doesn't even cost that much for the both of us for one of those so-called "high-end" or "Cadillac" plans. I don't even pay a co-pay for office visits to the doctor...just found that out today. I'm sure O-care will put an end to it soon enough, though, one way or the other. We certainly don't want some people to have more or better options than others because that wouldn't be fair.

Good luck, mcantar.

[sportbikeco]

your employer does not offer anything?

The exchange is where you should start. If you are self employed (depending on income) you may be in for some high costs.

[crays]

your employer does not offer anything?

I'm a newly minted civilian, and man.. "transitioning" is a pain in the ass

Just a guess, but our freshly liberated Patriot may not have an employer yet?

Good luck in your search.

[Great-Kazoo]

Just a guess, but our freshly liberated Patriot may not have an employer yet?

Good luck in your search.

No VA availability ?

[jerrymrc]

I talk to my troops all the time and it falls on deaf ears. I pay over $500 per month for the wife and I. That gets us $200 payments to the ER, 20% of an Ambulance ride and $250 per day in the hospital. I pay $6K per year and my employer pays the other $12K. Welcome to the other side. I also pay another $1200 per year for dental because the above policy only pays for a cleaning and check up, nothing else.

[jerrymrc]

No VA availability ?

Does not cover the wife. Have a baby and a job and wait for the bill collectors......