It's almost like not having health insurance at all...

Only more expensive: "health insurance" that costs $5000/yr. and covers up to a big, big $15,000 maximum. What a bargain!

"It wasn't worth it," says Camilleri, who got his insurance through the staffing agency that placed him in his job as a test engineer. The insurance cost Camilleri $400 a month and covered himself, his wife, Bridget, 33, and stepdaughter, Stephanie, 11.

The policies are offered to the 55,000 contractors who work for staffing agency Aerotek, says spokeswoman Sherri Kraus. The policies, she says, "are highly competitive, especially within the staffing industry."

Camilleri had a choice of three plans: One covered up to $5,000 of care a year for each family member; the second, $15,000; and the third, $150,000. He chose the $15,000 plan. The most comprehensive plan would have cost him $800 a month, or about 16% of his $60,000 salary. The average cost of medical care for a family of four in 2007 enrolled in a major medical plan reached $14,500 this year, including premiums, according to a study released last month by the actuarial firm Milliman. Workers paid an average of $5,591 toward that cost, through premium contributions and out-of-pocket expenses.