7 Ways Laid-Off Baby Boomers Can Find Health Insurance

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My husband and I are 60. I haven't worked for years due to declining health and he just up and quit - couldn't handle the high stress anymore and it was noticably affecting his health. No health insurance now but it'll cost us a minimum of 14K a year until 65 - 5 years!! That's more than we ever paid for a mortgage payt. What is wrong with our system?

BJ of OH 1:27PM February 02, 2012

The whole health coverage/insurance system in the US stinks. And just when we finally get reform, this new House of Representatives in 2011 plans to defund and block the reform any way they can. Too bad that someone that would like to retire early can't get decent non-expensive coverage. I guess the only way to do it is "just don't get sick".

Pete of WA 5:26PM March 13, 2011

Just laid off and worry about finding another job at 65 (in two weeks) Do have Medicare now but not sure what to do. Can't afford anything expensive.

Elaine of AZ 11:32AM January 08, 2010

Took early retierment at 62 , no heath care , pay 600.00 a month now , can barly pay rent ! way sucks

Ms.Marion gilfoy of CA 3:05PM December 23, 2009

Regardless that you have paid for MEDICARE your entire working life, if you choose to retire abroad you will not receive your PAID FOR MediCare benefits. The excuse the US government provides is that they 'don't know' the 'reasonable and customary' cost of health care in other countries - which of course is not true: 1) it is generally lower than the same procedures than in the USA and 2) the US government provides health care for US citizens living outside our borders through CHAMPUS, GEHA, military, Embassy and DOD employees and more - the system to process claims is already in place. It's just 'one more way' to take YOUR money that you have already paid into Social Security and MediCare and NOT provide coverage. Sounds like 'fraud' to me.

Ruth of TX 1:49PM April 20, 2009

I retired in sept, 2007 and I really thought I would be covered until I get medicare, thats what Obama promised.

Lynn Thompson of WI 8:09AM February 28, 2009

We are "lucky" enough to be able to buy into our group health insurance policy when we retired after 36 yrs. What a "bargin"? I have nothing wrong with me other than weighing more than the "perfect" height/weight charts. My husband takes meds for high blood pressure and cholestoral. My monthly "economy" plan costs $530 a month - his with all the bells and whistles is over $600 a month. I have tried to buy cheaper single policies but no company will touch you if you are "overweight" and forget my husband!
Retirement would be a breeze if we didn't have to pay such high insurance costs but you are scared to death to be without it.

Sally of GA 2:23PM February 27, 2009

This article gives some great insight into how to best play the insurance game and make sure you have coverage but it doesn't key on another huge issue and that's the cost of healthcare. As noted in some of the other comments to this article consumers must take the initiative and understand that Healthcare is Retail....meaning it's just like buying a car or buying an airline ticket. You wouldn't just buy the first car you came across or the first airline ticket you saw...you'd shop for it and most likely save quite a bit of money. The same is true with healthcare! You need to shop for it! Last year when my wife had to get 2 MRI's of her back and it cost me over $4000 and then I found out that I could have gone down the road and gotten the exact same procedures for less than $2000...that amazed me...and ticked me off as well. So, I set out to start NewChoiceHealth.com as a way to expose the cost of healthcare for thousands of facilities nationwide. So now, regardless of your insurance… which most likely requires you to pay for everything up until your deductible is reached or pay for 20% of your healthcare cost...you can and will save money simply by knowing who charges what and going to the cheapest provider for routine test which often vary greatly in cost. Check us out at www.newchoicehealth.com and spread the word. I hope that we can help save you some money on your healthcare. It’s a start and good luck living a healthy life! Brian, Founder, NewChoiceHealth.com

Brian of FL 10:04PM February 10, 2009

I am a federal government employee. We have the best insurance plan in the nation, thanks to the subsidy of the federal government, i.e., your money. During the campaign, you heard some politicians brag about the "Senate" health plan. I have the same. You don't have to be a genius to get a government job. A typist, a clerk, or even a labor job could get you in - that's if you don't mind starting at the bottom. But the reward is the health insurance plan, doesn't matter how many you have in the family.

Johnny Scanovavich of KS 3:45PM January 30, 2009

Today our Economy is America is tough, I am on the front lines of our Healthcare dilemna. I own two Health Insurance Agencies which help folks find programs in California. In my twenty year career I have never before had met folks with so much despair.
With companies closing throughout California and employers dropping health insurance, it is spelling out a reality that is tough, and one I have never experienced. Here in California the max. unemployement benefits paid is $450. per week (EDD) and with most folks having mortgages or rental rates at over $1500. per month this leaves very little left over for high Cobra payments. Reality is, (as the article above points out) is that when a company goes out of business Cobra is not offered to these folks. Which means that anyone with Diabetes, Cancer, Asthma, Silicone Implants and thousands of other conditions maybe declined for Individual plans! The only other alternative at that point is Ca. Major Risk which is a limited benefit plan ($75,000 max. benefit per year) and is extremely expensive and even worse has a THREE MONTH WAITING LIST!
For example, I spoke to a Casino worker who was employed in California who was recently laid-off. She told me she was making $5000.per month after tax's and now is receiving $1800. with a $2100. mortgage and $250. car payment and ultilities and other payments it is going to be impossible for her to pay for Cobra ($540. per month). Like most of us, her concern was her daughter - so I recommended she enroll her into Healthy Families (800) 898 2969 a program for Children in California which starts at $4. per month per child and includes Health / Dental/ Vision benefits with only $5. copays it is a plan for mid-income individuals and is really a God-send for any parent.
AS the President of HSAInside.com I agree completely with Mona Lori that "Medical Transparency" is extremely important. This is necessary for the best selling plans in America which are now the "High Deductible", or Health Savings Account type of plans. These type of plans work best when the consumer becomes a "good shopper", the nuts and bolts of these types of plans makes the consumer responsible for deductible amounts. Simply this means you have to pay up to that deductible, which makes the consumer "price sensitive". I give lectures regarding Health Savings Accounts throughout California and one of the first questions I always ask is "How many of you here know how much a MRI is?".. Then I ask "How many of you know how much a Oil Change is?".. I always get hands up for the "oil change", but very few for the MRI, we have all come to believe that the Doctor knows best and go wherever our Doctor tells us to. If your community would like me to speak regarding Healthcare, contact me.
Happy New Year,
Rudy Rivas, President
www.HSAInside.com
www.HispanicInsure.com

Rudy Rivas of CA 6:07PM January 07, 2009