Retirement Decision / health coverage question - Page 3

Nuttmeg · ‎03-09-2010

@Kachina624 wrote:
My insurance has always been 100% paid by the employer from whom I retired so I've never had to explore options. I do know insurance through Cobra is prohibitively expensive so I'd look for other options if I were you. Others here can probably advise you. I have several friends insured through AARP who seem very pleased with it.

I feel very fortunate to have my former employer pay the cost of my insurance in retirement. I still have to pay deductibles, and co-pays. I have seen some of my costs triple.

IMHO, You need to stay on a job as close to 65 as possible. The cost of insurance is very expensive.

http://kff.org/ is a general information link about everything health insurance.

http://www.q1medicare.com/index.php?utm_source=partd&utm_medium=textlink&utm_campaign=header

You can compare the cost of your current meds, and what they cost on Medicare.

Fressa · ‎03-20-2012

I had to retire early because they phased out my job. When I started checking around and pricing health care I found that Cobra was more expensive than signing up for one of the providers. We've had Aetna and Blue Cross Blue Shield PPO and have had good coverage for the cost. They also cover us in other states. Not all healthcare providers do so check this out if it is a necessity for your needs. I'm a list maker so I made a list of all of my health needs and types of doctors and tests that I need for annual and emergency needs. I found this to be less overwhelming when I started to compare providers. Take your time and compare costs, deductibles and coverage. Ask yourself...how healthy are you? What are your needs going to be 5-10 years from now? I like to have things handled for longer peirods of time and not have to revisit them when it comes to insurances. Remember, no one wants to be insurance poor but you want to have reasonable coverage for your needs. Hope this helps you.

maestra · ‎03-09-2010

Many people have to pay for Cobra! If you dont you are very fortunate!

I'm retiring in June and have the same concerns.

Kachina624 · ‎03-10-2010

@maestra wrote:
Many people have to pay for Cobra! If you dont you are very fortunate!
I'm retiring in June and have the same concerns.

I never heard of anyone NOT having to pay for Cobra. If an employer wanted to continue insuring you, he could pay your regular premium.

New Mexico☀️Land Of Enchantment

Lotus · ‎03-09-2010

Your company doesn't offer health insurance in their retirement package?

"People with closed hearts will always feel as though they are at war with the world." ~My friend Nancy

Kalli · ‎03-11-2010

Thanks everyone for your answers and recommendations! I'll have a Health Savings account that I can put toward the monthly premiums but from what retired friends have said, that won't completely cover the cost.

I'm happy to stay in the cobra plan because it's close to what my current coverage is, minus vision and dental. I'm concerned about what happens once those 18 months are up that's why I'm interested in opinions about getting my own insurance. It's scary to be searching for health insurance since it's not something I'm experienced in doing.

151949 · ‎03-09-2010

@Lotus wrote:
Your company doesn't offer health insurance in their retirement package?

What is a retirement package? I doubt many companies give retirement packages.Mine or my DH's certainly didn't.

151949 · ‎03-09-2010

nm

151949 · ‎03-09-2010

When i had to go on Cobra it cost $750/month. It was pre ACA so I had no other choice. Do you really want to pay that much for health insurance? Have you at least looked into the policies available under the ACA?

Tissyanne · ‎12-07-2012

@151949 wrote:
@Lotus wrote:
Your company doesn't offer health insurance in their retirement package?

What is a retirement package? I doubt many companies give retirement packages.Mine or my DH's certainly didn't.

I cannot imagine you would not know what a retirement package is. Really?