topic Re: Need some advice in Community Chat

Need some advice

DMM05 — Fri, 17 Mar 2017 20:31:05 GMT

My husband is retiring very shortly. I am 59 and have been trying to find insurance for me that we can afford. I have been calling around for a few days to get prices and I am literally in tears! I knew it was going to be rough but the prices are outrageous!! I would really appreciate some advice if you can. Thanks.

Re: Need some advice

Apple Crisp — Fri, 17 Mar 2017 20:36:55 GMT

Call AARP, they may be able to help you.

Re: Need some advice

Noel7 — Fri, 17 Mar 2017 20:39:15 GMT

@DMM05 wrote:
My husband is retiring very shortly. I am 59 and have been trying to find insurance for me that we can afford. I have been calling around for a few days to get prices and I am literally in tears! I knew it was going to be rough but the prices are outrageous!! I would really appreciate some advice if you can. Thanks.

************************

@DMM05

I'm so sorry you have to go through this. Some jobs have a group medical plan for after retirement. Has your DH checked into that possibility?

Are you in California by any chance? We have various coverages here.

Re: Need some advice

hckynut — Fri, 17 Mar 2017 20:41:07 GMT

@DMM05

Need more info. How old is your husband/does he get medical from the company from which he is retiring/does he have serious and/or chronic health issues, does your incomes exceed getting help from any state or federal programs? Too much info to give? I certainly understand, and I am sure others here can offer you suggestions.

I personally never give advice, only offer suggestions etc.

hckynut(john)

Re: Need some advice

NicksmomESQ — Fri, 17 Mar 2017 20:46:31 GMT

Have you looked into Cobra? I think you would be entitled to it thru your husband's soon to be former employer.

Re: Need some advice

circles — Fri, 17 Mar 2017 20:51:33 GMT

@NicksmomESQ wrote:
Have you looked into Cobra? I think you would be entitled to it thru your husband's soon to be former employer.

Cobra is very expensive and only lasts for so many weeks...then she will have to look around again...

Re: Need some advice

tends2dogs — Fri, 17 Mar 2017 20:58:03 GMT

@DMM05 wrote:
My husband is retiring very shortly. I am 59 and have been trying to find insurance for me that we can afford. I have been calling around for a few days to get prices and I am literally in tears! I knew it was going to be rough but the prices are outrageous!! I would really appreciate some advice if you can. Thanks.

@DMM05 Yes, it is a bit of an eye opener, isn't it? We were/are in a bit of the same situation. My husband retired at 67 and was able to go right onto Medicare. I, however, was only 58 and had always been covered on his insurance through his employer. We are now purchasing insurance for me until I can go on Medicare. We went with a high deductible in order to keep the premiums down, but they are still high, in my opinion. We have this so we won't be wiped out in the case of a catastrophic accident or illness. We sat down with an insurance agent that writes for more than one company and compared prices.

BTW my husband's supplemental and drug prescriptions are less than my premium and he has never had to pay a penny for anything and he has used it alot. Thank the good Lord, I have been healthy and have never met my deductible.

I wish you the best. (my husband always jokes, "this is what I get for marrying a younger woman".)

Re: Need some advice

151949 — Fri, 17 Mar 2017 21:02:03 GMT

@circles wrote:
@NicksmomESQ wrote:
Have you looked into Cobra? I think you would be entitled to it thru your husband's soon to be former employer.
Cobra is very expensive and only lasts for so many weeks...then she will have to look around again...

I was on COBRA from my DH co. for a year and a half then on just the vision & dental for another 6 months.

Re: Need some advice

dex — Fri, 17 Mar 2017 21:04:13 GMT

@DMM05@My DH is also retiring and we have similar age situations.The best we can find will be a thousand a month but to me that is crazy.

Re: Need some advice

151949 — Fri, 17 Mar 2017 21:07:51 GMT

Have you looked into the affordable care act policies ? (also known as Obamacare). Some are expensive but give you significant tax credits. I know someone who is self employed who told me his Obamacare coverage only costs him $45/month. None of us know what may be coming in the future with insurance, but for now at least this is available.

Re: Need some advice

itsmagic — Fri, 17 Mar 2017 21:06:10 GMT

I was on Cobra for a year and a half and then had to buy my own insurance. It is very expensive but we didn't want to be wiped out if I were to get ill. I was so happy when I finally qualified for Medicare!

Re: Need some advice

RollTide2008 — Fri, 17 Mar 2017 21:31:29 GMT

@circles wrote:
@NicksmomESQ wrote:
Have you looked into Cobra? I think you would be entitled to it thru your husband's soon to be former employer.
Cobra is very expensive and only lasts for so many weeks...then she will have to look around again...

Cobra is expensive because you're paying the full premium without your employer's contribution. That's what you do when you buy a private policy. COBRA lasts 18 months. It might not be a bad short term solution.

Re: Need some advice

DMM05 — Fri, 17 Mar 2017 21:32:44 GMT

In response to hckynuy Husband is 65. Human resources at his work told me that once he's done that's it. Didn't explain anymore. He is diabetic. Didn't know about any state or federal programs. By the way I live in Pa.

Re: Need some advice

GSPgirl — Fri, 17 Mar 2017 21:34:00 GMT

@DMM05 wrote:
My husband is retiring very shortly. I am 59 and have been trying to find insurance for me that we can afford. I have been calling around for a few days to get prices and I am literally in tears! I knew it was going to be rough but the prices are outrageous!! I would really appreciate some advice if you can. Thanks.

I'm so sorry, but I thought OBAMAcare was there to help you? Isn't that what we were told? All of you who are on Obamacare maybe you could help her?

Re: Need some advice

151949 — Fri, 17 Mar 2017 21:36:19 GMT

@GSPgirl wrote:
@DMM05 wrote:
My husband is retiring very shortly. I am 59 and have been trying to find insurance for me that we can afford. I have been calling around for a few days to get prices and I am literally in tears! I knew it was going to be rough but the prices are outrageous!! I would really appreciate some advice if you can. Thanks.
I'm so sorry, but I thought OBAMAcare was there to help you? Isn't that what we were told? All of you who are on Obamacare maybe you could help her?

Obamacare is there for now - who knows what the future will bring?

Re: Need some advice

CelticCrafter — Fri, 17 Mar 2017 21:37:44 GMT

@DMM05 wrote:
In response to hckynuy Husband is 65. Human resources at his work told me that once he's done that's it. Didn't explain anymore. He is diabetic. Didn't know about any state or federal programs. By the way I live in Pa.

As a part of my husbands pension package - medical benefits are included for both of us until he turns 65 and is eligible for Medicare, then it stops.

I'm 6 months younger than he is and will either have to buy Cobra or find it someplace else.

Right now we have 2 years before we need to worry about it.

Re: Need some advice

151949 — Fri, 17 Mar 2017 21:41:53 GMT

Your husband's company is required by law to offer him the option to buy you a policy under COBRA for 18 months. It is pricey but less than buying health insurance outright. I still think you'd be better off looking into a policy under the ACA.

Re: Need some advice

Kachina624 — Fri, 17 Mar 2017 21:42:03 GMT

@NicksmomESQ wrote:
Have you looked into Cobra? I think you would be entitled to it thru your husband's soon to be former employer.

Cobra is probably the most expensive option on the market.

Re: Need some advice

Mz iMac — Fri, 17 Mar 2017 21:43:46 GMT

@DMM05

CLICKY CLICK-> 2017 Plan Information for Pennsylvania

Re: Need some advice

151949 — Fri, 17 Mar 2017 21:45:02 GMT

@Kachina624 wrote:
@NicksmomESQ wrote:
Have you looked into Cobra? I think you would be entitled to it thru your husband's soon to be former employer.
Cobra is probably the most expensive option on the market.

No it isn't! You still get the group rate that the company negiotiated for their employees. It certainly opens your eyes though to how much it has cost your employer to insure you.