Ask HN: Startups and health insurance?

2 points by ChristianBach 10 years ago | 4 comments

Moving to SF to work with static web tech in a startup (netlify.com) is a dream come true.

But one thing that I'm totally unfamiliar with is health insurance. I'm from Denmark and we simply don't have any. So any and all advice is very welcome.

My wife, 7-year-old daughter and I are looking for good insurance, where the deductible isn't huge. Is this possible without going bankrupt before we get started?

I've seen a few of these threads, but all seems to be several years old, so thought I'd make a new one, with Obamacare and whatnot happening in the last few years.

jeffmould 10 years ago |

Best case scenario is that the company you are going to work for has a benefits package that includes health care. If so it should also cover your family as well. You will probably pay a small amount each month out of your pay to subsidize the cost of the policy.

If the company does not offer health insurance you have a couple options. You can signup through a state exchange (cheaper, subsidized by the government with fewer choices for coverage) or directly with the insurance company (more expensive more choices for coverage).

That is it simply put. I don't know how this affects you if you are not a citizen of the US and there may be other options in California specifically. I would check with the company and if they have an HR person them specifically. They should be able to guide you more specifically.

ChristianBach 10 years ago | |

Great advice. I am co-founder of the company, so we can make a company insurance (were thinking to do it that way anyhow). But then the question is what plan to get as a company?

jeffmould 10 years ago | | |

Never have used them, but have heard good things about them. You may check http://simplyinsured.com (they are a YC company and I believe active here as well)