Moving and Health Insurance... (transfer, cost of, retirement)

[sjsalerno]

So, as some of you might know we are looking to move the first half of next year, more towards spring/summer. My husband is a retired FDNY and we have Cigna Insurance. The insurance is great but it's costly. We can only switch on the even years (this year) so we were thinking of doing so. The other plans that we can get that are less expensive is GHI and EMPIRE Blue Cross Blue Shield.

I hear a lot of people like BCBS of NC. This might be a stupid question BUT is Empire BCBS the same thing? It would be saving us more than half to do this which is great but for the same token I am sort of scared to change. With us moving down to NC soon I want the best insurance co. I can get.

Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks.

[Lori1961]

Even though it is BCBS, the plans do vary from state. You will have to apply as a new member when you get to NC, you cannot "transfer" your insurance. If you are on group coverage now, you can get COBRA insurance but its very expensive. BCBS is good insurance, you are correct about that.

[saturnfan]

Can you continue your Cigna plan into retirement? Do the other options provide service in our area for routine care? If so, you'd be better trying to keep these.

Just take a look at the cost of individual BC/BS plans for folks 50+ years of age, and I think you may find that what you have is a bargain.

www.bcbsnc.com

[sjsalerno]

Yes we can keep the Cigna Plan, he is already retired. We can have any plan they offer with his retirement which is great. Cigna and Aetna are the most expensive and GHI and BCBS are the two lesser expensive ones but seem to cover exactly the same things and co-pays are the same. So, I was hoping to switch to either one of those to save.