Recommended healthcare for 45 year old retired, only 6 months in USA?

[JoseSantiago]

Hi friends,

I'm gonna be spending half the year outside of the USA, for the months that I'm stateside does anyone have any recommendations for healthcare plans? No medical problems, but go to routine eye doc, dentist appointments, and I would like preventative check ups. Retirement income is over 85k a year. Thanks for any suggestions.

 

[engineernerd]

You don't say which state you're in or which months you will spend abroad. I think in general you can enroll in ACA plans outside the normal open enrollment period if you have changes that justify it, such as moving into or away from your state.

 

[JoseSantiago]

Arizona but flexible. But tell me about this ACA period? October/November? Thanks!

 

[engineernerd]

Arizona but flexible. But tell me about this ACA period? October/November? Thanks!

I googled it and apparently Arizona is like most states in having an open enrollment period that goes from Nov 1 to Jan 15, with a Dec 15 deadline if you want your coverage to start Jan 1. Open enrollment is when you can switch plans even if nothing in your life has changed. But moving makes you eligible for a Special Enrollment Period: Special Enrollment Period (SEP) - Glossary

This seems like a good place to start learning about ACA (Obamacare) health insurance in Arizona:

Health Insurance | DIFI

You may enroll in a health insurance plan online, by phone, or with assistance: To apply online: Visit HealthCare.gov To apply by phone: Call the Health Insurance Marketplace - (800) 318-2596 The following resources can help you connect with an assister or agent/broker: coveraz.org or call (800)...

difi.az.gov

 

[JoseSantiago]

Much appreciated!

 

[Midpack]

My DW had short term HC insurance from UHC between the time between the end of her COBRA and starting Medicare. Those policies were from X months up to 2 years max. We were surprised how reasonably priced they were. I assume it’s because chances of a high cost medical issue for someone in good health within 2 years is less likely.

 

[teej1985]

My DW had short term HC insurance from UHC between the time between the end of her COBRA and starting Medicare. Those policies were from X months up to 2 years max. We were surprised how reasonably priced they were. I assume it’s because chances of a high cost medical issue for someone in good health within 2 years is less likely.

I think it's more that the short term plans have a lot of exclusions and catches and such.

 

[kite_rider]

I googled it and apparently Arizona is like most states in having an open enrollment period that goes from Nov 1 to Jan 15, with a Dec 15 deadline if you want your coverage to start Jan 1. Open enrollment is when you can switch plans even if nothing in your life has changed. But moving makes you eligible for a Special Enrollment Period: Special Enrollment Period (SEP) - Glossary

This seems like a good place to start learning about ACA (Obamacare) health insurance in Arizona:

Health Insurance | DIFI

You may enroll in a health insurance plan online, by phone, or with assistance: To apply online: Visit HealthCare.gov To apply by phone: Call the Health Insurance Marketplace - (800) 318-2596 The following resources can help you connect with an assister or agent/broker: coveraz.org or call (800)...

difi.az.gov

If the OP is coming into an out of the country each year, it seems like a stretch to claim he's 'moving' back to the state each time to trigger an SEP. But maybe that's indeed what the rules state. What if he's gone for 3 months? Stop and then restart the plan via SEP each time he comes back? If that's how it works I'd save a lot of money to shut down my ACA plan each time I go abroad.

 

[LakeRat1]

I retired at 52, refuse to live on less, so we did not get any Obama Credits, we chose to go with Christian Healthcare Ministries .... I am 62, still got 3 more years before Medicare

 

[kite_rider]

So you've been with the Christian Healthcare Ministries for a while now? Assuming it's been working for you. I've been skeptical of this approach, but seems like it's been around for a while now..

 

[LakeRat1]

"So you've been with the Christian Healthcare Ministries for a while now? Assuming it's been working for you. I've been skeptical of this approach, but seems like it's been around for a while now.."

Yes, I have been with them for 8+ years..... I personally have never had any medical issues as of yet.... I recommended this option to several others, 3 of my close friends had to utilize their service and all three were fully reimbursed - One had a retina tear 4 weeks after joinging up, CHM paid all his bills....two others both had to have bypass surgery, once again fully paid ..... All 3 it took just over 3 to 4 months to get the $$$$...... CHM is a fantastic alternative to traditional insurance ..... Biggest thing is to work with your Dr, Dentist, etc.... let them know you are selfpay and get their discount...... My Dr was 60% less for a routine visit if paying by cash.....which was less than the insurance billed amount, had I had tradional insurance..... most often you can expect 40% to 50% discount when paying by cash......

 

[Retired Expat]

Hi friends,

I'm gonna be spending half the year outside of the USA, for the months that I'm stateside does anyone have any recommendations for healthcare plans? No medical problems, but go to routine eye doc, dentist appointments, and I would like preventative check ups. Retirement income is over 85k a year. Thanks for any suggestions.

Maybe consider expat insurance. I use Cigna global and coverage is worldwide including the US.