Hello from GA

[msieweke]

Hi! I'm Mike and I've been lurking here since February. I retired in May, 2016, at age 53. I am a single, former software engineer. Now I spend my time woodworking and researching ways to extend my health span.

I spent the year before retirement studying the topic and planning. My primary guide was and is "The Joy of Not Working". My only regret is that I didn't realize I could afford to retire 5 years ago. I'm fairly frugal, so it should be pretty easy to make my savings last through age 100 (my planning age).

I'm still studying options for medical insurance. COBRA covers me through next year. The insurance marketplace in Georgia is changing fast, with companies leaving the market. It's too soon to make a decision.

I guess I don't have any questions at the moment.

 

[Katiek]

Welcome, Mike!

 

[Mdlerth]

Welcome from a fellow former lurker. I had been reading this forum for a good while before my debut a few weeks ago.

While I am still on my glide path toward retirement, the constructive atmosphere here from the seasoned planners toward the not-yet-retired is awfully reassuring. Some offer thorough technical advice I would never have known, while others specialize in glimpses through the green door of what life is like on the other side. It's all good.

Since you aren't asking any questions, I won't try to answer them. I will, however, attempt to assuage your regret over not retiring earlier. Consider that your extra years at the grindstone probably earned you a few upgrades in the options available. An ER poster named RobbieB shows how epicureanism is done right.

But whether you go spartan or bon vivant, you have reached the most fulfilling milestone in life, where you are in complete command. Enjoy!

 

[ExFlyBoy5]

Welcome! There are a few from GA on here...might have to setup a meet up sometime.

 

[fern]

Hi, Mike. We have the same problem here in CT with just 2 insurers left in our healthcare exchange marketplace. So much for competition.

 

[sailor]

Welcome Mike!
I used to live near Gwinnett Place Mall.
Since you are studying the insurance - Kaiser facility in Duluth worked really good for us.
They have doctors, pharmacy, labs, imaging (X-ray, CAT, MRI, USG). Almost no need to go anywhere else.

 

[msieweke]

Hi all! Thanks for the welcome!

sailor: Does Kaiser cover any alternative or complementary practitioners? Functional, integrative, holistic, naturopathic?

fern: Are the rates going up in CT with so little competition?

ExFlyBoy5: Keep me in mind if there's a meetup.

 

[ExFlyBoy5]

ExFlyBoy5: Keep me in mind if there's a meetup.

Certainly..especially since you are in the metro!

 

[nvestysly]

Hello Mike,

Greetings from another who lives in the metro Atlanta area. Seems like you'll fit right in here. Lots of engineers/software/technical types on this forum. There are plenty of people with other backgrounds too but it seems folks with math/science backgrounds gravitate here. There's probably a thread or two on the subject.

 

[fern]

Yes, CT rates are most certain rising next month...very troubling. Increases will average 25%, and everyone will see double-digit increases. I may end up just sticking with my COBRA plan t $513/mth. At least I can count on its coverage and can depend on it for another 15 mths if i have to.

 

[sailor]

sailor: Does Kaiser cover any alternative or complementary practitioners? Functional, integrative, holistic, naturopathic?

Not sure, in pre-ACA plan, I was aware of some chiropractic coverage and OMT coverage.
I would say Kaiser as an organization tries to practice functional medicine (vs. just acute care), but not sure how good are they compared to doctors specifically advertising "functional medicine".
No naturopathic coverage, but they had health/nutrition programs available.

 

[Sojourner]

ExFlyBoy5: Keep me in mind if there's a meetup.

Certainly..especially since you are in the metro!

Hi, Mike, and welcome to the forum. I'm another metro Atlantan, and I second the idea of a meetup sometime. It sounds like from your description we have a fair amount in common, and it's always nice to share ER stories, advice, philosophy, etc. with like-minded folks.

 

[Bamaman]

I too used to live in Gwinett County--off Hwy 20 north of Lawrenceville. Sold to the 3rd person that looked at the house for list price. Society's changing fast, and our house has since sold for 25% less. Still have our place in the North Georgia Mountains that we greatly love. We left because of the debilitating traffic.

We too had Kaiser Permanente HMO. It was fine for the family's sniffles. But the wife suffered for years under their care, and they just wouldn't refer her to the really top doctors (at Northside.) When we went to conventional health insurance, her problem was solved in one doctor's visit (arthroscopic surgery.) My wife's a medical professional, and she has no faith in HMO's of any kind. But when the medical market's changing, you have to go with what you can afford.

Congratulations on your retirement and good luck finding healthcare.

 

[msieweke]

I guess my concern with healthcare is being covered in an emergency. I don't/won't take prescription drugs, and allopathic doctors are generally unhelpful for chronic issues. With a high deductible plan I'll be paying for most of my regular care out of pocket.

The cheapest provider in GA (Ambetter) has poor reviews for refusing claims. Kaiser sounds OK, other than the difficulty (I hear) in getting access to specialists. I'm going to keep my COBRA coverage as long as possible.

fern: It's interesting that my COBRA is also $513/month. It's a PPO with $200 deductible, so I can't do better on the marketplace.

Bamaman: My long-term goal is to move to a small/medium city where I can bike everywhere. Here I can easily bike to a few places, but I have to plan around rush hour to get to the woodworking stores.