Returning Ex Pat in need of insurance (HSA, plan, hospital)

[formerlynorthofnowhere]

Hi all, I am a returning ex pat, retiring to FL at age 63. I've been out of the country for a dozen years and don't even know where to start looking for insurance. I was hoping this forum could start me in the right direction of what I need to do so I can see how much this is going to cost me, and what options are available for me.

[flyonpa]

I would start at Heathcare.Gov "Obama Care/ACA" to see what you can get and at what price.

[reed303]

Be aware that in 2 years you will be eligible for Medicare, assuming you have enough "quarters" of credit from previous work in the US.

If not, you may have to pay for Part A, which is usually free to most US workers. Everyone pays for Parts B, C or D

"If you paid Medicare taxes for less than 30 quarters, the standard Part A premium will be $471.00. If you paid Medicare taxes for 30-39 quarters, the standard Part A premium will be $259.00. Some people pay a higher premium if they don't enroll when they're first eligible."

More at https://www.medicare.gov/eligibilitypremiumcalc

[formerlynorthofnowhere]

Originally Posted by reed303

Be aware that in 2 years you will be eligible for Medicare, assuming you have enough "quarters" of credit from previous work in the US.

If not, you may have to pay for Part A, which is usually free to most US workers. Everyone pays for Parts B, C or D

"If you paid Medicare taxes for less than 30 quarters, the standard Part A premium will be $471.00. If you paid Medicare taxes for 30-39 quarters, the standard Part A premium will be $259.00. Some people pay a higher premium if they don't enroll when they're first eligible."

More at https://www.medicare.gov/eligibilitypremiumcalc

Thanks, I've got my 25 years in. I'm just trying to figure out what I need to do until then. ACA seems to be the only way to go if I'm not working. Guess I need to figure out what my choices are with that. I understand the deductibles or the monthly premiums are crazy high.

[flyonpa]

You can also look at a Health Care Savings Account if your Deductibles are high,

It will allow you to put in Tax Free Dollars to pay for many (All) of your HC expenses, and your deductibles. With Pre-Tax money, Also any growth inside the HSA is tax free. So that will save you some $'s

[ContraPagan]

Originally Posted by northofnowhere

Thanks, I've got my 25 years in. I'm just trying to figure out what I need to do until then. ACA seems to be the only way to go if I'm not working. Guess I need to figure out what my choices are with that. I understand the deductibles or the monthly premiums are crazy high.

Depends on what you qualify for. I work for the NY Health Exchange, which does offer Medicaid as one of the options. We also offer Essential Plan, Child Health Plus, Advance Premium Tax Credit and full-pay plans, so there's something there for every income level.

Your 1st step is finding out if your state has its own exchange, and contacting them. If they don't, you'll be applying through the Federal Marketplace. 2nd step is filling out the application to see exactly what you qualify for.

[Huasho]

In what Area of Florida do you currently reside ?

I ask because I retired at 62 and for 3 yrs in Miami I was without insurance, until my Medicare kicked in. Lucky for me and my good health I was able to get by those 3 yrs without a hitch, There are avenues to take, which is what I did, but you see, here there are Clinicas all over S Fla and they come in handy in times like this where Health Insurance is way too high to get individually.

No Hospitalization is covered, but Doctors visits, Labs, X Rays are.

BTW my Medicare kicked in March 2015, and they have not had claims from me for the last 6 yrs that amount to any hughe amounts, specially not hostitalized for anything yet in my lifetime.

[beezle1]

I know the Colorado exchange has a calculator where you can put in different variables to see how much cost would be and what plans are available. I would think every state has this? Check if your destination state does and you can get a better idea of exactly what your costs may be.