Health insurance question

**happymommy** · 01-15-2007, 12:08 PM

I just read the other thread. ((hugs to everyone)), it is so sad. We are paying on our own, have been on cobra but will be ending next month. Our new premiums with out precription and dental are going to be over a $1,000. a month!

I am so sick about this. But I am confused about health ins. when you reach retirement age. Do we still have to pay full coverage if we are not low income?
I don't know why I can't remember what happens after 62 or 65? I think all this medical $$ stress has me going blank.

Is their a lower insurance for the elderly?

Thanks, the future seems so bleak no matter how hard you try when you look at these type of figures.$$$$$$$

**PrairieRose** · 01-15-2007, 12:46 PM

You might wanna shop around a bit for less expensive coverage...depending on what sort of pre-existing conditions you and or family members might have. At age 62 or 65 you qualify for medicare which covers hospital stays and such but you have to have a medi-gap insurance. This covers things that medicare won't and it's fairly expensive but not nearly so much as full coverage premiums. I think my dmom and ddad pay around $300/mo. for both of them and it covers some prescriptions but not all.

**Dancing Lotus** · 01-15-2007, 12:51 PM

Shop around . i dont think that is a responable rait. How many people does taht cover and does anybody have major health issues that could be the reason for such a high rait?

**happymommy** · 01-15-2007, 01:30 PM

Thanks PrarieRose, now I remember the medi-gap insurance. Feel better about that atleast. Many, many years from that but is on my mind how people survice after retirement age.

Hi AnnK, No this is a regular health plan with no health issues. We were paying $820. for cobra for 18 months. So without being with a group plan it goes up to over $1000.
We live in MA.

I have heard about HSA, I'm not sure if we have them here or the pros and cons of the program. That is the only other option I can see for us other than No INS.

**pinetree** · 01-15-2007, 02:41 PM

Have you tried pricing insurance thru AARP, they have several different packages,

If your'e healthy you might go with the one that just covers hosipital, but then you have to pay for Dr. visits. Sometimes its alot cheaper. Watch the deductables, some are extemely high.

I think AARP also has a over 65 plan. It only costs something like $12.00 a year to join.

we have saved hundreds by changing the house & car insurance with them.