Health Insurance

[SheilaF]

Hi Everyone,

Just an update, we have accepted an offer on our house with a view to moving end Jan/beg Feb. In the process of arranging quotes for shipping furniture etc.

Our problem is - health insurance, I am getting quotes ranging from £8000 - £12000 !! Thats because hubby is 69. I am raising this question everywhere so please forgive me if i am boring anyone, I thought the more exposure the more advice/recommendations i may get.

I know its expensive over there and was prepared for that but £12000 in dollars is almost 20,000 a year, thats $1500 a month which is a big chunk of money.

If anyone has moved recently and can recommend a company etc I would be eternally grateful.

Many thanks

SheilaF
am asking this question everywhere in the hope that someone will

[blott]

Unfortunately, the older you get, the more expensive the health insurance premium. And it's amazing how cushioned we all are in the UK by the NHS isn't it?

I was quoted £15000 a year from the only insurance company willing to take me on (I have health problems) four years ago so £8-12k is cheap!

If you already have BUPA or PPP cover, then you can transfer this to expat insurance I think so check them out.

I've DM'd you some info which might help.

[florida4sun]

Sounds about right and your co paymnets would be high too. If you think paying for it is bad enough, just wait till you try and claim. then watch your premium sky rocket!! Health insurance in the USA is shameful. [[msnsad]

<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by SheilaF
Hi Everyone,

Just an update, we have accepted an offer on our house with a view to moving end Jan/beg Feb. In the process of arranging quotes for shipping furniture etc.

Our problem is - health insurance, I am getting quotes ranging from £8000 - £12000 !! Thats because hubby is 69. I am raising this question everywhere so please forgive me if i am boring anyone, I thought the more exposure the more advice/recommendations i may get.

I know its expensive over there and was prepared for that but £12000 in dollars is almost 20,000 a year, thats $1500 a month which is a big chunk of money.

If anyone has moved recently and can recommend a company etc I would be eternally grateful.

Many thanks

SheilaF
am asking this question everywhere in the hope that someone will
[/quote]

[cherylzw]

Hi Sheila!

I have to agree Health Insurance is very expensive over here. I am not an expert but I will try to explain the little bit I know.

When we retire, we have the benefit of Medicare, and then only have to get a supplement to pick up what Medicare does not pay for. Even that is quite pricey.

The companies I am most familiar with is Blue Cross/Blue Shield and Geisinger. BC/BS is nationwide I believe and have several different plans. The least expensive is the HMO, which has co-pays for doctor visits. You must get a referral from your primary care physician if you go to a different doctor, other than your PCP.

The other company, Geisinger, (this is the one my father has) works the same way and might be a little less in price but not much.

I know that is the reason quite a lot of people continue to work, at least, part time because then some companies will pay for health insurance or if they do not, then they can at least get on a group plan, which is less money.

Health insurance does not go up in price if you use it a lot, like car insurance or homeowners insurance. It is a once a year increase and it is usually across the board. Everyone's increases when there is an increase. We hold our breathes every year when the medical insurance contracts are due.

Hope this is some help.

[esprit]

Cheryl, you can only claim medicare if you are a US citizen or green card holder and have paid in for several years, most people on this forum are visa holders and have to pay in if on payroll but are unable to claim and their choice of provider is limited as they dont have two years medical history in the US.

No choice but go with a big deductible, Sheila, that should bring the premiums down, you will then pay for doctors visits, prescriptions and minor care but the big stuff will be paid for. And i agree with Martin totally, having suffered from a shattered elbow needing surgery recently, I was shocked at how my insurance provider tried to wriggle out of paying and the things they wouldnt pay for including a brace prescribed by my orthapeadic surgeon and all my physio.

You are brave moving to the US with a husband of that age, Sheila, I have to say that is about the age that people living here go home because the insurance premiums and healthcare problems just become a little too much for them.

[cherylzw]

Thanks Julie.

I didn't realize the rules.

[SheilaF]

Thanks everyone for their advice, I must say it makes for depressing reading.
Esprit - if we went for the £12,000, after a year we become eligible for US Health Insurance, what sort of sum would we expect to pay?

I am wondering if its worth holding out for the year if there would be a drastic reduction in payments at the end of it.

Thanks

SheilaF

[esprit]

We are mid 50s, one child of 20, all in good health for the most part and now pay around $4000 pa with a $3000 excess. That is American Insurance, Golden Rule.

[SheilaF]

So theres deductibles and theres co-payments. Do you have to pay both? If we went with a high deductible we will still be eligible to pay more? a percentage?

Oh boy am I depressed !!!!

SheilaF

[blott]

Usually.

Deductibles because the insurance never covers the first $xxx (or $xxxx) amount and co-payments because, when you've got past the deductible, it doesn't cover the whole cost so things like 80:20, 70:30, etc are normal.