2 Health Insurances

I do a lot of contract work as a software engineer. A few years ago I had to spent 3 days in the emergency room. The contract companies insurance covered not a single penny. I didn't know this until 2 years later when the hospital and insurance company were done fighting about it and decided to charge me nearly $30,000. I've spoken with a lawyer, and a company that specializes in this sort of thing. Long story short, I'm stuck with the bill trying to pay it off to this day.

What I learned from that is to have my own insurance. Even employers with better insurance plans aren't worth the risk of a cost like that happening again. I'm fine with paying for $0 copay out of my own pocket.

But, I recently learned about primary and secondary insurance. It sounds like I can't just hand over a card and say, "Use this one." In fact, there are rules around what does get used first that I don't get to decide on?

The Question:

Is this true? Do I need to turn down insurance from employers in order to use my own? Would I be forced to used employers insurance because a contract somewhere says it's a priority?

Location: Missouri

submitted by /u/Gold-Caterpillar-794
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