Healthcare Issues - Is this legal? Can they do this?

Okay, this question may seem naive and spark politcal commiserating (which is fine by me), but I need a reality check here. I live in California, and I just got a job with a temp agency in a permanent contract with a major IT company on a temp-to-hire basis. I work at said company, but I'm a W2, full-time employee of the temp agency.

That being said, when I asked about benefits, they kind of smirked and told me they offered a group plan at a rate of nearly $400 a month! I was stunned. I'm 24 years old, and could probably get individual coverage much cheaper than that. Even worse, you have to enroll for an entire year, and couldn't opt out of the plan once you started.

Can they do this? Isn't there some law in California that says a full-time employer has to provide their employee with benefits? At $400 a month, they're obviously not kicking in any portion of the cost at all

Is this legal? I feel like I'm getting screwed. I really need benefits, and want to know my options. Thanks!

Princess Leia

Who is offering this policy to you? The temp agency or the IT company? I would be very surprised if it was the IT company. I don't believe there is a law that says a full time employee is entitled to benefits of any kind.

I'm not that surprised about the cost. My group plan at work (Kaiser HMO) is $398.

In any event, although the group plan is more expensive than an individual plan, one benefit to consider is that the HMO cannot kick you out of the plan, as long as you are employed at that company, even if you have a pre-existing condition which was never disclosed. The individual plan could cancel your coverage at any time.

stan c

It looks like you're paying 100% of your benefits. Waiting a full year on top of it is even a better joke. I heard employers say 90 days. If you already signed the contract, you can't quit. But if you get yourself fired, that might be a different story. That happened to me once and decided I had enough so I just made enough mistakes that they threw me out. Best of luck.

â™¥ Blondie â™¥

I don't live in Calif.- but I do believe that is correct where I live, IF U MEAN ...
U ARE A employee of the employment agency ...
until the other company hires u full time...
and they may never do that...
and yes, if this is what u mean... yes u are screwed...

don't feel bad... most of us have to do the same,,,
that is why most people get married for no real real reason... it take 2 to survive today... with everyone screwing us to death..
it is a tough question... if u don't ... what if u get sick?... can u pay the current hosp. prices?
if u do u are stuck for a year.. Pray and give thanks a lot...

I say... do a good job if u like it...and in 2 or 3 months go in to your boss, supervisor and have a talk to bring u on board... so the company with give u insurance or u can afford to pay some... good luck...

David B

a health plan, no matter how expensive, can be considered a "benefit." So the smirk and the cost tell you a lot about the people youre working for. Might want to start looking around again.

RayeKaye

Are you talking about the agency or the assignment not paying for your insurance? Either way, they are doing more than is required by offering a group health plan. I might be wrong about the particular state, but there's nothing that says your employer has to pay your insurance premiums.

Why not look into an individual policy? You are right...you can find something much less expensive - as long as you are healthy.

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