Poll - ACTUAL non-subsidized heatlh care cost in ER.

[Sam]

I'm really interested in the actual health care insurance paid by Early Retirees who have no (none whatsoever) health benefits from their former employers. I plan to retire in 3-4 years, and I will not have any subsidized health benefit. So please share if you don't mind.

Example

Number of people: 2
Ages: 52 and 55
Annual premium: $12,000
Deductible: $5,000/person
Location: Houston, TX
Other notable: ...

[PBAT]

I'm not retired, but you can see current rates for various individual plans (with various deductibles) at BCBS website for your state.

[REWahoo]

Number of people: 2
Ages: 59 and 60
Annual premium: $7,500
Deductible: $5,000/person
Location: TX
Other notable: DW is in state high risk pool. Her premium is $4,700/yr and will increase by another $1,000/yr when she turns 60.

[Sam]

Thank you REWahoo. That's exactly what I'm looking for. Real data from real people (I hope you're real )

The $7,500 premium, that's for both you and your wife, right?

[REWahoo]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sam The $7,500 premium, that's for both you and your wife, right?

Yep.

(And I am real. Really.)

[ashtondav]

Living in the UK and UK resident. Private healthcare premiums $1,900 a year. Aged 52 and 53. That's with paying the first $1,000 of any treatment. Bad illness record in my early 20's probably boosts the cost.

[Nords]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sam Real data from real people (I hope you're real )

REW & Al are real; we've all broken bread together.

Or at least whatever's left of REW after the chiggers have finished with him...

[TromboneAl]

Number of people: 2
Ages: 53 and 51
Annual premium: $5,196
Deductible: $3,500 for me (HSA), $5,000 for DW
Location: CA
My premium is $188/mo, DW's is $245. With have Blue Cross.

[Sam]

Thank you Al and REWahoo. Wow. It does not look that bad (outrageously expensive). It's not cheap, but appears to be within reasons.

Hmm... I'm still working now, so my employee is carrying the major %age, 68%, of the cost, but my share is still $4,800/year. That's for medical (1K deductible/person), dental, term life, and accidental/dismemberment. And the family size is 4 (2 adults, 2 older children.)

[Sam]

Thank you ashtondav. The amounts provided are in US dollar or British pound? Why are you buy private health care insurance? Doesn't England have a universal health plan which you are already paying for thru taxes?

[stargazer08]

Number of people: 2
Ages: 44 and 47
Annual premium: $2,400
Deductible: $10,000/person (HSA)
Location: Herod, IL

[magellan_nh]

DW and I each have individual HSAs with BCBS in NH

Here's the deal (same for both):
Age: 42
Premium: $251 per month (~$3,000 per year each)
Deductible: $5000
(includes preventative care such as physical, mammograms, pap, etc).

Total premium for both of us is $502 per month or ~$6,000 per year.

We could have gotten a joint policy that would have been ~$50 cheaper per month but with $10k family deductible. Also, DW was rated due to a foot injury (running) that has since healed and should yield a lower rate once she's been 6 months without treatment. The plan is to have her re-apply to see if she can get a better rate.

Even though neither of us has anything really wrong with us, it seems that the way the insurance industry works is that if you've been to the doctor for so much as a cold, you end up paying the standard rate which is about 40% higher than the preferred or best rate.

Jim

[Lagniappe]

Quote:

Originally Posted by magellan_nh Even though neither of us has anything really wrong with us, it seems that the way the insurance industry works is that if you've been to the doctor for so much as a cold, you end up paying the standard rate which is about 40% higher than the preferred or best rate. Jim

Is the rate we see quoted on the various web sites the standard rate or the preferred rate?

[magellan_nh]

I believe the rate quoted in online sites is the preferred rate.

Some people report actually getting that lower rate, but it seems to be a relatively small percentage.

Jim

[starry night]

Coverage for 2, both age 53. North Florida
Humana One, $10,000 ded. with HSA
Mo prem $268.00 combined, annual = $3,216.
Just swithched to this one when premium went up with United. This one includes covered annual check ups and screening (outside of deductible). We are lucky to be in good health and on no RX. Hope that holds.

[Danny]

Age: 57 58 21
Annual premium: $4488 BCBS
Deductible: $10,000 each $30,000 Family
Dental plan $1188
Total Cost including premiums
2004 - $11,341
2005 - $ 8,779
2006 - $ 9,576
Location: Minnehaha, Minnesota

The first 18 months of Cobra premiums alone I had been paying were like $13,000 a year in 2001 - 2002, not counting the deductibles and co-pays. When Cobra was nearing the end, sweated the filling out of the family life medical history for 5 and waiting for months for the underwriter to decide whether they would cover and if they wanted to add on to the standard rate. During the wait I decided to go high-deductible.When I indicated I would go HD I got a quick OK.The premium has remained the same through the years, because even though the oldsters get nicked every couple years for more, we have youngsters that have been rolling off saving $50 a month each.
Even though we pay for everything we usually get a discounted negotiated rate which is about 10-20% off, more for x-rays and lab work.
I'm fortunate to be able to pay $30,000(20k in a couple yrs) each year if needed. Good to know there is a limit.

[Rich_in_Tampa]

I know nothing about birds, but I suggest that before you make any decisions you consider the following questions:

- Do these birds have EMPLOYMENT ASSOCIATED health coverage? Is there a WAITING TIME for watery-poo syndrome?

- Why should stinky-poo suffer because of chubby bird's CHOICE to be OBESE?

- Do you really think we would have a place like MAYO FOR BIRDIES if we covered ALL birds REGARDLESS of their ability to chirp?

Glad to be of assistance.

[Martha]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rich_in_Tampa I know nothing about birds, but I suggest that before you make any decisions you consider the following questions: - Do these birds have EMPLOYMENT ASSOCIATED health coverage? Is there a WAITING TIME for watery-poo syndrome? - Why should stinky-poo suffer because of chubby bird's CHOICE to be OBESE? - Do you really think we would have a place like MAYO FOR BIRDIES if we covered ALL birds REGARDLESS of their ability to chirp? Glad to be of assistance.

[Martha]

Number of people: 2
Ages: 52 and 54
Annual premium:
--right now it is $3000 as I negotiated one year's health insurance through my former employer. Deductible is $750. Drug copays of $10, $30 or $60. Maximum out of pocket is $1500.

--As of January 1, 2008 we will have COBRA for 18 months. Monthly premium for family is $1086 or roughly $13,000 a year. Deductible and copays as above.

--After COBRA expires July 1 of 2009 we will be on the Minnesota risk pool. If we were enrolled now, my premium would be $377/month and Greg's $466/month, each with a $1000 deductible, $200 of which is for drugs. Total premium cost per year is $10,116. Maximum out of pocket is $3000 per person. Premium depends on age and whether you smoke. We get older, but don't smoke.

Location: Anywhere in MN

[kramer]

Number of people: 1
Ages: 41
Annual premium: $1020
Deductible: $5,000 (HSA)
Location: San Diego, CA
Insurer: Aetna

* This covers everything after deductible including prescriptions.
* Annual physical is covered by the plan, regardless of deductible.

Kramer