Health Insurance (Punta Gorda: credit, how much, buying)

[oldfatnugly]

Hello everyone. Need some information about health insurance. We plan on retiring to Punta Gorda in a few years. I know a lot could change by then, but I would like to know what it the most accepted health insurance company in the general area. I will not be able to be covered under medicare for a least a 3 years after we relocate to the area. So if you could help with any information it would be highly appreciated.

[mrs.cool]

Geez! You sound like us! We're moving down after hubby's planned early retirement in 987 days (not that I'm counting) but he won't be eligible for medicare for 3 years after that either. In fact, I asked this question here a couple months ago, if you use the search tool you might be able to find it.
Personally, we're planning on $1000/month for the two of us.

[03bluecoupe]

Originally Posted by oldfatnugly

Hello everyone. Need some information about health insurance. We plan on retiring to Punta Gorda in a few years. I know a lot could change by then, but I would like to know what it the most accepted health insurance company in the general area. I will not be able to be covered under medicare for a least a 3 years after we relocate to the area. So if you could help with any information it would be highly appreciated.

We're moving to the area this weekend. I've got 4 years to Medicare and have some fairly serious med issues. I used Healthgrades > Find a Doctor | Doctor Reviews | Hospital Ratings to search for doctors in the area that are certified in the same areas/specialties as my current physicians. The listings indicate what Ins. they accept.

It's a starting point.

[gentlearts]

You should be able to go online with your anticipated zip code and get a view of what plans are available. My husband had to buy it for two years, and with the subsidy he paid about $350. for a platinum plan. It will help if you can keep your income as low as possible during this time.

[TamRE]

Originally Posted by oldfatnugly

Hello everyone. Need some information about health insurance. We plan on retiring to Punta Gorda in a few years. I know a lot could change by then, but I would like to know what it the most accepted health insurance company in the general area. I will not be able to be covered under medicare for a least a 3 years after we relocate to the area. So if you could help with any information it would be highly appreciated.

Florida Blue or United Health Care

[Florida or Bust....]

Originally Posted by gentlearts

You should be able to go online with your anticipated zip code and get a view of what plans are available. My husband had to buy it for two years, and with the subsidy he paid about $350. for a platinum plan. It will help if you can keep your income as low as possible during this time.

Any subsidies that are applied to your health insurance coverage may be deducted from your income tax refund if you are qualified to receive a refund for the year you had coverage.

Advanced Premium Tax Credits (APTC)
A tax credit that can help you afford coverage bought through the Marketplace. Sometimes known as APTC, “advance payments of the premium tax credit,” or premium tax credit. Unlike tax credits you claim when you file your taxes, these tax credits can be used right away to lower your monthly premium costs. If you qualify, you may choose how much advance credit payments to apply to your premiums each month, up to a maximum amount. If the amount of advance credit payments you get for the year is less than the tax credit you're due, you'll get the difference as a refundable credit when you file your federal income tax return. If your advance payments for the year are more than the amount of your credit, you must repay the excess advance payments with your tax return.

[Messing About]

We have a group plan through my work (a national company with 20,000 employees) and I pay 350 a month for my wife and I for an HMO plan through Aetna. What I can't believe is how much out of pocket I still pay. Yesterday, $100 co pay for an MRI, $30 Co pays to see my PCP, $40 co pays to see specialists like cardiologist and now I'm pending shoulder surgery with an orthopedist. Last year, wife broke her hip so we hit the max per person out of pocket at $1,500. I can see me hitting that this year with the shoulder.

I'm considering one of those health savings accounts at next open enrollment to try and cut down on taxes. It just seems hard to try and estimate what one would spend in a given year. Also not sure if there are max income limitations to take advantage of those.

Just seems like we are paying more and more and more, even with a big group plan. Can't imagine buying individual coverage and still paying all the uncovered expenses.

[Macgregorsailor51]

I am retired as well.. Looking at double knee replacement.. Most of my co-pays are $10 except Chiro which IIRC is free for the first $1500 and $10 co-pay there after .. my dental is limited to $1500 a year, Optical is 1 Free Exam and $350 for glasses . OOP/Co-pay for Double knee will be Zero.. $0.. Its the plan I retired with from my Local Union.......and I pay $250 a month for it for my wife and I .. Its a BCBS Colaboration..

[Restrain]

Don't know if it available individually, but Aetna has always worked well for our family. Now on Medicare, but had Aetna until I switched over. Cost me about a $1000 a month (pre subsidy).