Health Insurance question? (55, pension plan, supplement, moving)

[Putty]

I want to retire early also, maybe only work part time somewhere doing something I enjoy, but what are u guys doing about health insurance. Its not cheap.....!!! Are u paying this out of your pocket? and if so what kind of insurance is it?

[Cattknap]

We have Blue Cross California Care and if we stayed in California, we would not have to pay any premiums only $10 deductible per office visit and for each prescription...everything else would be covered until we are ready for Medicare and then my husband's business will pay for the supplemental insurance.

Since we are moving to KY, we will have Blue Cross Prudent Buyer and will have to pay about $300 a month and will have a yearly deductible - not nearly as good as we have it in CA but still not outrageous. Once we go on Medicare I'm thinking our medical expenses will be less, but I'm not sure. Our dental coverage is also lifetime and will work similarly to our health insurance.

[ontheroad]

I have permanent cobra but it still is not cheap and just a tad less than Cattknap's costs. In the last year, the premium fluctuated twice, so there is also no guarantee of a fixed premium. I also opted to continue dental coverage which was a more modest cost, but adds up, too!

And as I too did not stay in my resident state, the same benefits do not apply as no physicians outside that metropolitan area are enrolled in the program.
I have been able to fulfill my one prescription without difficulty, but in this one year, I have not seen a doctor.

[Jammie]

We have Blue Cross California Care and if we stayed in California, we would not have to pay any premiums only $10 deductible per office visit and for each prescription...everything else would be covered until we are ready for Medicare and then my husband's business will pay for the supplemental insurance. //Unquote

Cattnap, is the insurance that you have in Cal. free because it's through your present employer? If you have Blue Cross insurance in your respective state, when you move does Blue Cross from that state automatically have to accept you? I've heard it's hard to get accepted as you get older because there's normally a bit wrong with all of us.

[ontheroad]

Jammie, my insurance is Blue Cross NYC, and New Mexico would not accept a transfer. Eager to hear what Cattknap says

[Cattknap]

Well, we have nothing wrong with us, LOL other than my husband being diabetic (controlled through diet) - we are very healthy. My husband's employer will pay the same amount in KY on our behalf as they do in California. We have not heard of anyone we know who has moved not being accepted, but I guess that is always possible.

[Allentown]

Does anyone know if New Jersey Plus or Aetna medical insurance are accepted in South Carolina. We are making a move from NJ to SC and currently have New Jersey Plus (Blue Cross ). Another option which we could switch to is Aetna. I was just wondering if we will have a problem. Speaking of medical coverage etc, does anyone know of a good family doctor in the Easley / Greenville area? That is a huge concern for both my wife and I. Once you've developed a "comfort level" with your primary physician it is hard to think about a change, but that is something we will have to do. Any thoughts?

Thanks

[mm34b]

When I retired, my employer allowed me to carry my Blue Cross-Blue Shield health insurance into retirement. The premiums vary from year-to-year, but for 2007, my former employer pays 71% and I pay 29%.

[Cattknap]

Okay, I got better info from my husband. Our insurance will still go through California Care. California Care will contract with Blue Cross in Kentucky...our premiums will be paid to California Care even though we live in KY.

[recycled]

I am 52, and when I reach age 55 I am able to take a pension plan from my employer and sign up for a medical plan similar to what I have now for a very reasonable cost. It is Aetna PPO plan with reasonable deductible amounts, office visit costs and prescription drug costs. Coverage anywhere in USA. That will hold me over for the 10 year gap until age 65 when "medicare" kicks in, unless Medicare goes bankrupt or gets abolished before then.
After age 55 I'll take retirement from my full time corporate job and instead work just 3 or 4 months of the year on contract engineering jobs.