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online health insurance quotes?

I am moving to CA from MI. I have private health insurance and have had the same company my whole life 33 in MI so am not that familiar with how to find a new one in the state I am moving. I was online at there is a website called ehealthinsurance and they suggest different companies and quotes. Has anyone does this through something like that? There are some that say eapproval so I guess you get the approval online but for the others how long does it take? Any information you can provide me and if you live in CA and have a company you are happy with? I have BCBS of MI right now but it does not cover much so basically I am looking for similar and it is more just in case of an emergency. I am already paying for all office visits,meds,large deductible/co pay now but at least if something happens or for example a medical test I have it. Thank you

Public Comments

1. Do google, health insurance agents, California. Then call one up and talk to them about changing. They might be able to change your BCBS policy to a CA policy. You may have a high deductible now, but even if you were to change companies, you may find that health insurance is higher in CA or could be lower. But a good agent, can explain this. Most people if you do online, will pick the cheapest price, but this could be the worst policy, since another policy may cost a few dollars more, but have better coverage. good luck
2. You can work with a broker or go online through ehealthinsurance. It all comes down to preference. The web based approach allows you to look at a variety of plan configurations and premiums. You get objective information. You can work with an insurance broker. Many people assume that working with a broker means you will pay more. This is not true. You pay the same rate whether you buy online or through a broker. The broker may be most familiar with the insurance plans, and help you find one that fits best.
3. To echo what the above answer says, ehealthinsurance IS a broker. You just don't get the service that you do through a smaller broker. And, I only say this because I have people call my office sometimes weekly saying they applied there and have no idea what's going on with their application. Buy through a broker, but buy through one who can answer your questions and help you out down the road.
4. Because you mention the state is CA and the particular website that you mentioned, I can add something to this discussion: I once asked both that website and a local insurance agent for the price for BCBS health insurance for me in CA. They both gave me the exact same price, to the penny, for the exact same plan. It did not cost any more, or any less.
5. They're an online broker. If you're going to use a broker, and you're not certain of the process, you're better off using a LOCAL broker - someone you can call and talk to, someone you can sit down with so they can explain the LOCAL options. That online brokerage is ok if you know what you're doing - but they're NOT going to have the "local" knowledge and experience that a LOCAL agent will have. The computer will tell the agent there what plans are available, but they WON'T know which plans are most popular, or which plans most area doctors take, or how far you'll have to go to the local ER in network. Approval depends mostly on you and your medical records.
6. Yeah I live in CA, I have gone through ehealthinsurance and I can tell you that the application will take quite some effort, you will have to have info about your last doctor's visit, and the questionnaire is getting more complicated every year. Plus the prices are going up. You will have a hard time finding a real high deductible health plan (D > $10,000), so you will pay much more than you would just a year ago for the most affordable plan. I ended up with Anthem BS of CA (they are non profit like your BCBS I think). They have in the meantime changed their payment policy. For example, I can not pay with my American Express any more, they want you to pay (through a 3rd party of all places) via a checking account. So as you move to CA, open a local checking account right away! What everyone else neglects to say is that there are so many more insurance and non-insurance options available today than just 2 years ago. Governmental plans are getting so cheap, you almost wish you had a preexisting condition to get on with them! Plus there are excellent non-insurance options for people who hate paying expensive monthly premiums. I read about the insurance, non-insurance, and government options at http://highdeductiblehealthplan.org - check them out.