2nd Health Insurance Poll in Fire

[maddythebeagle]

2nd question.

 

[wabmester]

I don't think there is a shortage of individual health insurance plans available -- high-deductible is just one flavor. I went for a high-deductible plan because we're relatively young and in good health. Also, many states have a high-risk pooled insurance for those who can't get an individual plan.

 

[Martha]

Great poll idea but I am none of the above. I will get individual insurance with a low deductible under our state's risk pool. Have to buy too many drugs for a high deductible plan to make sense.

Also, the high deductible plan and health savings accounts often go together.

Wanderer a while ago worked on a list of different health plan options for an early retiree. http://early-retirement.org/forums/index.php?topic=2508.0

 

[Dawg52]

Great poll idea but I am none of the above.  I will get individual insurance with a low deductible under our state's risk pool.  Have to buy too many drugs for a high deductible plan to make sense.

Also, the high deductible plan and health savings accounts often go together.

Wanderer a while ago worked on a list of different health plan options for an early retiree.   http://early-retirement.org/forums/index.php?topic=2508.0

I know all states are different but I was able to buy a policy with BC/BS of MS with low doctor and drug copays, 10k deductible and a 2 mil lifetime max.  I'm 50 and the premium is 150/mo. I thought that was a pretty good deal. Our risk pool plan has a 500k lifetime max and would cost me around 500/mo.

I bought the plan and dropped our company coverage. It has been watered down so many times it was not very good anyway. I'm very thankful I was approved as it has enabled me to continue with my early retirement plans.(12/31/06) 

 

[Martha]

Good plan, Dog50. It makes a lot of sense to shop for an individual plan when you are healthy. So if I understand your plan correctly, even though it is a high deductible plan, you only have to pay a copay for drugs?

 

[Dawg52]

Good plan, Dog50.  It makes a lot of sense to shop for an individual plan when you are healthy.   So if I understand your plan correctly, even though it is a high deductible plan, you only have to pay a copay for drugs? 

Yes, that is correct. $5 for generic, $20 for preferred. There is a $50 annual deductible on drugs. Also get one free annual check up per year. Otherwise a $15 doc copay. So I really get the best of both worlds. 

 

[unclemick]

Still no insurance - if I get sick enough to spend my portfolio - ER's gonna suck anyway.

I have better things to spend my money on than to support the American medical system.

BTY - no homeowners insurance either. Car insurance is manditory - have considered posting bond in the past - but it was too much of a pain in the but.

Do carry liability insurance.

 

[MJ]

I also don't fit the poll selections.
I will continue to receive the company health/dental insurance for the next 2 months.
If I remain in NY for the following 18 months, I will continue with the same insurance through Cobra @ $524/month
After that, I will hopefully be in a state that will offer high deductable for under $200/month.

 

[kz]

We get it from previous employer, per se, but since DH retired we are responsible for paying the full premium of $1027 per month.

When the open enrollment time comes around again in Oct. we may switch from a PPO to an HMO since it will be approx. $150 less per month.

And come Jan 1st we're looking into HSAs with a $5200 deductible.

 

[Eagle43]

TRICARE - a military retiree perk. Have used it for past 28 months and am reasonably happy with it.

 

[KB]

I just signed up for Cobra for July and August.  I applied for individual policys for us, and if denied will use the conversion plan which is priced somewhere between Cobra and an individual plan for September and afterwards. 

Cobra for the 3 of us is 713.10 for Medical alone.  I elected to not take Dental at all (107.67 monthly) and took Vision at 37.66 for July so we can have our annual exams paid this year. 

This will give me time to figure out something else.....