Health Insurance in FIRE

[KB]

Ouch.

Does your carrier have a conversion plan? My HMO offers one that is priced between Cobra and individual. All medical requirements are waived. If we had been turned down for Individual, I would have taken that instead of Cobra.

[MJ]

Originally Posted by MRGALT2U

I fell into this thinking for a while, i.e. looking to move based on the availability of cheap health insurance. Spent a lot of time researching. IMHO, unless you are
really hard pressed, it's a poor reason to move although certainly can be
one of many considerations.

JG, I agree that's why I said it was "one of the reasons". Change of climate and taking advantage of the high home equity were other possible reasons. Time will tell.

[Dawg54]

Originally Posted by MRGALT2U

For that premium they should make house calls and bring wine.*

JG

Speaking of wine, I knew there was a benefit to drinking a glass of red wine a day for your heart but I didn't realize it was beneficial for cancer prevention in men. I'm headed to the local liquor store.*
*
Red Wine Stems Prostate Cancer
Daily glass cuts risk in half, study finds

TUESDAY, Sept. 28 (HealthDayNews) -- A glass of red wine a day may reduce the risk of prostate cancer by 50 percent, claims a study by researchers at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center.

Red wine's protective effect seems to be strongest against the most aggressive forms of prostate cancer, the study concluded.

The researchers interviewed 753 prostate cancer patients and 703 healthy men in the Seattle area.

"We found that men who consumed four or more glasses of red wine per week reduced their risk of prostate cancer by 50 percent," senior author Janet L. Stanford said in a prepared statement.

"Among men who consumed four or more 4-ounce glasses of red wine per week, we saw about a 60 percent lower incidence of the more aggressive types of prostate cancer. The more clinically aggressive prostate cancer is where the strongest reduction in risk was observed," Stanford said.

The study found that beer, hard liquor, and white wine had no impact on prostate cancer risk. The findings appear online in the current issue of the International Journal of Cancer.

Red wine contains an antioxidant called resveratrol, which is abundant in the skin of red grapes. Previous research suggested that resveratrol, which is also found in raspberries and peanuts and is available as a dietary supplement, may protect against cardiovascular disease.

More information

The U.S. National Cancer Institute has more about prostate cancer.

-- Robert Preidt*
SOURCE: Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, news release, Sept. 22, 2004*

*

[JB]

I heard this story today on npr. Some republicans in the house are proposing that people be allowed to buy health insurance in other states. Makes sense to me! I recently moved to HI and the state were i moved from offered more/better high deductable plans. I couldn't get a high deductable plan here w/o a waiting period. Ended up with Kaiser, but other choices would be great... Especially if I can go to CA or NY if something really bad happens.

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/s...toryId=4769291

I'm all for increased consumption of wine, but I wonder to what degree the decreased incidence of cancer is due to the wine, as opposed to the health habits of the male demographic (higher income, higher education, less weight, etc.) that would more more inclined to opt for wine over beer or liquor.

Originally Posted by DOG50

"Among men who consumed four or more 4-ounce glasses of red wine per week, we saw about a 60 percent lower incidence of the more aggressive types of prostate cancer. The more clinically aggressive prostate cancer is where the strongest reduction in risk was observed," Stanford said.

The study found that beer, hard liquor, and white wine had no impact on prostate cancer risk.

[Free_at_49]

BlueCross/BlueShield Plan A, about $300.month, it covers everything except when it doesn't

As for the question above: I had employer-sponsored BCBS in NE, did COBRA for a while, and after moving South to another state I was under HIPPA, and my current policy is individually underwritten. Dunno if that answers your question, in any case healthcare is a big scam in this country.

[GTM]

Originally Posted by atla

What is the best state to live in order to get affordable health insurance with a prexisting condition.

If a pre existing condition is serious then one needs a guarantee issue state.

New Jersey is one that has to take everybody but will charge more if health conditions call for it.
New York, Mass and others also have the same laws.

New Jersey seems to offer a number of plans where New York has a limited # of companies. (I guess they don't want that business).

[Martha]

If not a guaranteed issue state, the other option is a state with a risk pool. Minnesota is considered one of the leading states for coverage of those who have preexisting conditions that make it difficult or impossible to find coverage elsewhere. The coverage is good and the cost is about 125% of the estimated cost for an individual policy outside of the pool. Wisconsin is pretty good too, but the cost is higher.

[maddythebeagle]

martha: does that mean that "pre-existing conditions” are included for the "high risk pool states". Does this also mean that anyone that wants a policy can get one?

[REWahoo]

While you wait for Martha's response, here is an example of the eligibility rules for the state of Texas. In this case (and probably all others), the answer to both your questions is yes.

Eligibility

An individual is eligible (for Health Pool coverage) IF under age 65 and has been for at least 30 days and remains a legal resident of Texas and a United States citizen, or a permanent resident of the United States for at least 3 continuous years, and IF the individual provides the Health Pool's administrator evidence of one of the following:

1. Notice of rejection or refusal by an insurance company to issue substantially similar individual health insurance due to health reasons;

2. A certification from an agent or salaried representative of an Insurance Company, on the Pool's Application form, that states the agent or representative is unable to obtain substantially similar individual Health insurance for You with any state-licensed Insurance Company, which the agent or representative represents, because You will be declined for coverage, as a result of Your medical condition, under the underwriting guidelines of the Insurance Company.

3. Either an offer (by an insurer or HMO) to issue or an in-force substantially similar individual health insurance policy that excludes a medical condition or conditions;

4. Either an offer (by an insurer or HMO) to issue or an in-force substantially similar individual health insurance policy at a premium rate greater than the current Health Pool rate;

5. The individual has been diagnosed with one of the Qualifying Medical/Health Conditions.

An individual is also eligible (for Health Pool coverage) IF under age 65, remains a legal resident of Texas, and IF the individual has maintained health insurance coverage for the 18 months preceding application for coverage to the Health Pool, with no gap in coverage of greater than 63 days, provided the last health insurance was through an employer sponsored plan, church plan, government plan, or another state's high risk pool. (United States citizenship or permanent residency is not required for this eligibility category only.)

Dependents are also eligible for Health Pool coverage. If the eligible individual is a child, family members of the child who have been for at least 30 days and remain legal residents of Texas and United States citizens and who reside with the child are also eligible for Health Pool coverage.

REW

[Martha]

REWahoo's example of Texas is pretty typical as to types of people covered (eg, those rejected by an insurance company in the individual market, or someone with a specific health problem such as cancer). Speaking in generalities, most often states that have risk pools have a state residency requirement (often 6 months). If you are HIPAA protected (basically going from a group health plan and have exhausted COBRA) then usually can get into the risk pool with no pre-existing conditions waiting period and often with no need to prove you are uninsurable. If not HIPAA protected, for example you were previously uninsured, then often there is a pre-existing condition waiting period, generally six months to a year.

Risk pool costs vary tremendously. Some states are very expensive.

Some states limit the number of people that can come on to the pool. Florida closed their pool a number of years ago.

[MJ]

I have been thinking of moving out of NY within the next year or so. 10 months ago, I began tracking selected health insurance rates for a single through ehealthinsurance. I am relying on their accuracy.

In NM, BCBS 20% co-ins 20% after deductable just went up 3.75% while 20% co-ins $20 co-pay went up 14%
In OR, BCBS went up over 8.25%
In AZ, Golden Rule went up over 11%

On the flip side, my company group insurance rate which I will begin receiving through cobra, will remain the same for another year except for the $5 increase to the co-pay. It is still about 2 times the cost of the comparable one in NM.

[Patrick]

Originally Posted by MJ

In NM, BCBS 20% co-ins 20% after deductable just went up 3.75% while 20% co-ins $20 co-pay went up 14%
In OR, BCBS went up over 8.25%
In AZ, Golden Rule went up over 11%

Any idea what the actual premiums are?* Even though a rate may have gone up 11% it could still be lower than one that only went up 8.25%, if the starting amount were lower.

[JonnyM]

While I wind down in the work-a-day world, my Health Coverage is paid for via a Cafe Plan, that covers both DW and myself, we chose Kaiser, plus separate Vision, and Dental.

Upon retirement I receive a Health Insurance Stipend of $18.50 per year of service up to a max of $370 per month. This will cover 3 years of Cobra for just me, plus the other coverages. After the Cobra runs out, the plan is essentially the same except the copayments for Dr. Visits and drug copays rise from $5 to $10 per visit/perscription. DW has been just depositing her Health Insurance Stipend while I cover her, so I guess the bottom line is our costs double 3 years after my ER, but is canceled out by the Stipend which in the meantime for DW is gravy spendible cash. Yah Baby!

Another example of a not so well known perk of Public Service vs the private sector. We don't make as much in Salary compared to the same level of knowledge and responsibility in the Coporate world, but IHMO the benefits can more than make up for that in the long haul.

[REWahoo]

Originally Posted by JonnyM

This will cover 3 years of Cobra for just me, plus the other coverages.

Thought Cobra was only for 18 months?

REW

[JonnyM]

Me 2. However in my little corner of the world, the locals will spot you 3 full years. I was suprised and delighted to find this out when DW ER'd. It's the law here. COOL!

[maddythebeagle]

Yes, in state service, they do help you out often on the health insurance front until medicare kicks in.

Curious, you are in california, how long can you go and pay for the insruance then?

[Bayfield40]

After we left our employment, we went ahead and picked up cobra coverage while applying for individual coverage. Boy am I glad we did!! We applied for a BC/BS plan in Florida that was for Hospitalization only with high deductible, thinking it would be a breeze. Well, 5 months later we finally get a decision and are turned down due to some really stupid stuff! We are both healthy and have had very few Dr. visits so I really thought it would be a non-issue. Hmmmm... I guess their underwriters thought otherwise. Needless to say I'm going to work for a while so I can get cobra less expensively through a large employer and we'll be good to go for another 18 months. But really! Do you have to run out of cobra coverage before they will pick you up for individual coverage? And then I suppose its much higher than the quotes you see online...

[MJ]

Originally Posted by Patrick

Any idea what the actual premiums are? Even though a rate may have gone up 11% it could still be lower than one that only went up 8.25%, if the starting amount were lower.

I was only showing the increase pattern but here they are. These rates are for a single male age 58.

State Deductable Co-Ins Visits Jul-05 Apr-05
NM BCBS 2000 20% 20% after deductable $149.11 3.76% $143.51
NM BCBS 2000 20% $20 $206.03 13.94% $177.31
OR BCBS 5000 20% 20% after deductable $216.00
OR BCBS 2500 20% 20% after deductable $265.44 6.57% $248.00
OR BCBS 1000 20% $20 $362.00 8.29% $332.00
AZ Golden Rule 2000 20% $35 $207.32 11.19% $184.12