<![CDATA[Early Retirement & Financial Independence Community - Health and Early Retirement]]> http://www.early-retirement.org/forums/ Topics dealing with health, wellness, and fitness, and how to pay for health care in retirement. (Not intended as personal medical advice, but plenty of interesting information.) en Sat, 21 Nov 2009 01:15:19 GMT vBulletin 60 http://www.early-retirement.org/forums/images/early_r/misc/rss.jpg <![CDATA[Early Retirement & Financial Independence Community - Health and Early Retirement]]> http://www.early-retirement.org/forums/ Alabama ER Health Care http://www.early-retirement.org/forums/f38/alabama-er-health-care-47388-new-post.html Fri, 20 Nov 2009 16:57:52 GMT Morning Group,
Looks like I'm now shopping for family coverage so I can enter retirement at the end of the year.
I've always had coverage through megacorp so I'm a little lost doing the shopping for my self.
How do I determine if an Individual Blue plan (blue Cross) is the right way to go? Or one of the Health savings plans?
We are a family of 3, one being a kid in college. I'm 55 yrs and the wife a few years younger if that info helps.
I'm mostly looking at Blue Cross, they are big in my area and it is currently what I have with megacorp.
If this link works these are the plans I'm looking at now. The 750 plan has been recommended to me by BCBS agent.
UpDate: I am beginning to think megacorp may give me some help ($) with the cost (maybe 1/2) of the first year but no promises for years down the road.

https://www.ibcbsal.com/plans/iblue/...arison2009.pdf

You folks that have been through this please glance at these plans and give me input,
Thanks for help,
Steve

Heres a link for the HSP type: https://www.ibcbsal.com/plans/hsa/pdfs/comparison.pdf ]]> Health and Early Retirement Stevewc http://www.early-retirement.org/forums/f38/alabama-er-health-care-47388.html Avocado Extract http://www.early-retirement.org/forums/f38/avocado-extract-47365-new-post.html Wed, 18 Nov 2009 13:27:30 GMT Has anyone heard of using Avocado Extract for appetite suppression? I can not find such supplements or any information about them. Does anyone... Has anyone heard of using Avocado Extract for appetite suppression? I can not find such supplements or any information about them.

Does anyone know of a vendor of such products? ]]> Health and Early Retirement James5v http://www.early-retirement.org/forums/f38/avocado-extract-47365.html Bridging the gap to Medicare http://www.early-retirement.org/forums/f38/bridging-the-gap-to-medicare-47332-new-post.html Mon, 16 Nov 2009 16:37:48 GMT So I'm thinking hard about health insurance and have some pretty dumb questions about Medicare. I think most of us young folks (I'm 48) don't know too much about it's practicaities.

1) When does it start? At 62 or when you start taking SS?
2) How much is the Part B premium? Is there any Part A cost
3) What are Parts C and D?
4) Do most people buy gap insurance, if so what does it cost?
5) If you have health insurance from MegaCorp or as a ERed State employee does that coverage stop when you become eligible for Medicare. ]]> Health and Early Retirement nun http://www.early-retirement.org/forums/f38/bridging-the-gap-to-medicare-47332.html Maybe Niacin really is a wonder drug.... http://www.early-retirement.org/forums/f38/maybe-niacin-really-is-a-wonder-drug-47331-new-post.html Mon, 16 Nov 2009 16:28:38 GMT Niacin...]]> Goes along with what Rich said last week.........:)

Niacin outperforms drug in artery health - JSOnline ]]> Health and Early Retirement FinanceDude http://www.early-retirement.org/forums/f38/maybe-niacin-really-is-a-wonder-drug-47331.html H1N1 http://www.early-retirement.org/forums/f38/h1n1-47319-new-post.html Sun, 15 Nov 2009 19:54:43 GMT I got my vaccine a few days ago. Glad to have it. Very well run clinic, but they had many doses left over after closing time. What is your... I got my vaccine a few days ago. Glad to have it. Very well run clinic, but they had many doses left over after closing time.

What is your status/opinion?

Ha ]]> Health and Early Retirement haha http://www.early-retirement.org/forums/f38/h1n1-47319.html Health Insurance for ERs in MA http://www.early-retirement.org/forums/f38/health-insurance-for-ers-in-ma-47315-new-post.html Sun, 15 Nov 2009 14:12:53 GMT I'm going to be ERing in Massachusetts in a couple of years time and I'll be out on my own for health care. I've looked at the state "Connector" site and can get a good insurance with no deductible and low annual maxes for $400/month. Now I'm thinking about vision and dental. Has anyone experience of buying these? How much do they cost? Are they any good?

I'd be interested to hear your stories and experiences of buying and using these insurance products in MA.......and other states too ]]> Health and Early Retirement nun http://www.early-retirement.org/forums/f38/health-insurance-for-ers-in-ma-47315.html Cancer Preventatives Ignored http://www.early-retirement.org/forums/f38/cancer-preventatives-ignored-47300-new-post.html Fri, 13 Nov 2009 12:55:31 GMT Medicines to Deter Some Cancers Are Not...]]> Medicines to Deter Some Cancers Are Not Taken

Quote:
Many Americans do not think twice about taking medicines to prevent heart disease and stroke. But cancer is different. Much of what Americans do in the name of warding off cancer has not been shown to matter, and some things are actually harmful
Quote:
And, as the response to the prostate drugs shows, people are not enthusiastic about taking anticancer pills, or are worried about side effects or not really convinced the drugs work. Others are just unaware of them.

And prostate cancer is not unique. Scientists have what they consider definitive evidence that two drugs can cut the risk of breast cancer in half. Women and doctors have pretty much ignored the findings.
Quote:
Companies have taken note, saying that it makes little economic sense to spend decades developing drugs to prevent cancer. The better business plan seems to be looking for drugs to treat cancer.
...
“A scientific discovery that is very clear cut and that is not implemented by the public is a tragedy,” he said.
Quote:
“You have to think that in boardrooms they are saying, Man, did we learn a lesson,” he said. “We will stay as far away as possible from cancer prevention.”
]]> Health and Early Retirement RonBoyd http://www.early-retirement.org/forums/f38/cancer-preventatives-ignored-47300.html Medicare Advantage vs Supplement http://www.early-retirement.org/forums/f38/medicare-advantage-vs-supplement-47291-new-post.html Thu, 12 Nov 2009 18:39:41 GMT Hi all, hoping for some insight. Wife will be going on medicare shortly,I am trying to decide what is best,been looking at this stuff for 3 months... Hi all, hoping for some insight.
Wife will be going on medicare shortly,I am trying to decide what is best,been looking at this stuff for 3 months and still not sure.
Leaning towards Aetna medicare advantage plan for 72 a month with drugs. It is a HMO, they also offer supplement plan F for 156 month and you need to get a seperate plan for drugs. The cost of the supplement also rise with increasing age.

We are in the Philly area,travel to Indianapolis a lot and they have network docs out there also.

The downside to a advantage plan is you need to go to a PCP in network doc and get a referral if you need to see a specialist, outside of that seems like advantage plans are better than a supplement.
What am I missing.

No underwriting for advantage plans, supplements have underwriting if you do not enter when you first go into medicare.

She is healthy takes no drugs. I am becoming insurance poor especially with LTC isurance at about 4200/year for both of us.

Also what I have read is that the governemnt with the new healthcare bill is trying to kill off the advantage plans for some reason. They seem pretty good to me.

Thanks
Old Mike ]]> Health and Early Retirement mf15 http://www.early-retirement.org/forums/f38/medicare-advantage-vs-supplement-47291.html <![CDATA[Medicare's Annual Election Period]]> http://www.early-retirement.org/forums/f38/medicares-annual-election-period-47270-new-post.html Wed, 11 Nov 2009 15:30:22 GMT I am starting this thread to get an idea of what other's are doing during this "open enrollment" time. It was prompted by an e-mail I received from Medicare.org:

Quote:
In preparation, you can now begin viewing and comparing the 2010 plan information for all the participating plans in your area by clicking on the link below.

We have made some big changes to the Free Medicare Plan Comparison Tool this year that you should know about. In addition to making the tool easier to use, we've expanded the list of participating carriers and plan types this year. You can now not only compare plans from participating national and regional plans, but you can also compare stand alone Prescription Drug, Medicare Advantage, Medicare Advantage Prescription Drug and Medicare Supplemental Plans, all in one place.

If you have questions, or would like assistance with choosing a plan, you can call us toll free at 1-866-949-3815. Our live support staff is ready to answer your questions daily from 8am - 8pm EST.

Remember that plans change their benefits and costs annually, so don't get caught in a plan that is not right for you. Use our free tool at Medicare.org to learn more about your options for 2010.
]]> Health and Early Retirement RonBoyd http://www.early-retirement.org/forums/f38/medicares-annual-election-period-47270.html Healthy Bones http://www.early-retirement.org/forums/f38/healthy-bones-47269-new-post.html Wed, 11 Nov 2009 14:50:14 GMT Phys Ed: The Best Exercises for...]]> Phys Ed: The Best Exercises for Healthy Bones

Quote:
An emerging scientific consensus seems to be, he says, that “large forces released in a relatively big burst” are probably crucial. The bone, he says, “needs a loud signal, coming fast.” For most of us, weight lifting isn’t explosive enough to stimulate such bone bending. Neither is swimming. Running can be, although for unknown reasons, it doesn’t seem to stimulate bone building in some people. Surprisingly, brisk walking has been found to be effective at increasing bone density in older women, Barry says. But it must be truly brisk.
Quote:
In the meantime, the current state-of-the-science message about exercise and bone building may be that, silly as it sounds, the best exercise is to simply jump up and down, for as long as the downstairs neighbor will tolerate.
]]> Health and Early Retirement RonBoyd http://www.early-retirement.org/forums/f38/healthy-bones-47269.html Federal LTC Insurance Premium Increases http://www.early-retirement.org/forums/f38/federal-ltc-insurance-premium-increases-47266-new-post.html Wed, 11 Nov 2009 12:30:53 GMT Federal News Radio will have an hour long program today (11-11-09) at 10AM on the changes to Federal LTC insurance. Thought a few folks might be... Federal News Radio will have an hour long program today (11-11-09) at 10AM on the changes to Federal LTC insurance. Thought a few folks might be interested.

Website: Federal News Radio 1500 AM: Long Term Care Premiums: Ripoff or Reality?

Listen Live: Federal News Radio 1500 AM: Listen Live

I believe the shows are archived. ]]> Health and Early Retirement Purron http://www.early-retirement.org/forums/f38/federal-ltc-insurance-premium-increases-47266.html <![CDATA["Sick Around the World" -- Frontline]]> http://www.early-retirement.org/forums/f38/sick-around-the-world-frontline-47260-new-post.html Wed, 11 Nov 2009 00:25:30 GMT "Sick Around The World" on Frontline tonight. The show...]]> PBS here is re-running "Sick Around The World" on Frontline tonight. The show is hosted by T.R. Reid and looks at healthcare systems in several different countries. This first aired last year and I thought it was well done -- and I really enjoy T.R. Reid. You might want to check it out if you didn't see it the first time around.

Coach ]]> Health and Early Retirement Coach http://www.early-retirement.org/forums/f38/sick-around-the-world-frontline-47260.html Health Care Bill http://www.early-retirement.org/forums/f38/health-care-bill-47258-new-post.html Tue, 10 Nov 2009 17:19:53 GMT I heard yesterday that the House bill changes the way Medicare patients will get care. Presently they can go to any doctor or specialist they want.... I heard yesterday that the House bill changes the way Medicare patients will get care. Presently they can go to any doctor or specialist they want. Under the new bill they must have a Primary Care Doctor, and get a mother may I slip before going to a specialist.

Has anyone else heard this. I did not find anything on the web, and it may be too soon.

If the above is true, it is certainly another reason for me to oppose it. ]]> Health and Early Retirement Rustic23 http://www.early-retirement.org/forums/f38/health-care-bill-47258.html Has anybody bought life insurance after diabetes diagnosis? http://www.early-retirement.org/forums/f38/has-anybody-bought-life-insurance-after-diabetes-diagnosis-47255-new-post.html Tue, 10 Nov 2009 03:14:22 GMT Supposedly it can be done (according to insurance sites on the Internet). I was diagnosed in August. After 3 months on Januvia and weight loss, ... Supposedly it can be done (according to insurance sites on the Internet). I was diagnosed in August.

After 3 months on Januvia and weight loss, I got my readings consistently down to 88 (A1C of 5.7), however a little experiment to take me off it hasn't worked so well (readings are now consistently about 105). So, I'm going to start a low dose of Metformin.

But, I, like many others, have procrastinated in bulking up my non-work-related life insurance. ]]> Health and Early Retirement gindie http://www.early-retirement.org/forums/f38/has-anybody-bought-life-insurance-after-diabetes-diagnosis-47255.html <![CDATA[Fish Oil Capsules That Aren't "Fishy?"]]> http://www.early-retirement.org/forums/f38/fish-oil-capsules-that-arent-fishy-47162-new-post.html Wed, 04 Nov 2009 04:17:15 GMT Ugh. Does anyone take this stuff and not have fishy burps? Ew. I need a recommendation for a non-fishy fish oil. Thanks. :flowers: Ugh. Does anyone take this stuff and not have fishy burps? Ew. I need a recommendation for a non-fishy fish oil. Thanks. :flowers: ]]> Health and Early Retirement SarahW http://www.early-retirement.org/forums/f38/fish-oil-capsules-that-arent-fishy-47162.html