Private Health Insurance >65 for Ex-pat Canadian (attorney, home)

[kroeran]

Can someone advise me on availability and likely cost range for private health insurance, over age 65.

I have a plan for my and my spouses insurance needs, but if I move to Florida, one concern I have is being forced back to Canada if my mother was to become chronically ill or enter a nursing home, or otherwise no longer be able to spend winters in Florida and also require intensive support up north.

The overall cost structure of living in one location and not snowbirding is so much lower, I am thinking it would be cheaper to spend significant bucks on private American insurance, if available, to keep her in a Florida nursing home down the road, rather than returning to Canada. I am assuming this is unrealistic, but thought I should take another look at this.

I believe after living in Florida for 5 years, an ex-pat senior can opt to pay for medicare, though medicare is starting to sound scary.

[justNancy]

Medicare is very good insurance! I wish I were 65! Don't believe the news. Sure it doesn't cover everything, but it wasn't designed to be a fix-all in the first place. Some politicians are fabricating lies to fight health reform (which is really insurance reform)

I have 2 answers for you - the short one and the long one.

The short answer: No. What you're asking for doesn't exist AFAIK because it would be cost prohibitive. Since you said you'd be willing to pay "significant bucks" you can hire a concierge medical practice, but that won't cover a hospital room or nursing home.

The long answer: The only private plans of which I am aware that would insure someone over 65 are supplements to Medicare or Medicare Advantage and similar plans that are paid for in part or full by Medicare.

Yes, it's possible to qualify for Medicare after 5 years. Medicare A & B together would cost a qualified resident alien about $540 a month. Medicare A covers hospitalization only, so you would need part B to pay for doctors. Part D is the prescription drug plan.

There are so many variables that even a 10 page post won't cover everything, and in 5 years nobody knows what plans will be available or what the costs will be.

My best advice is to contact an Immigration Specialist like an attorney. I realize a lot of Canadians retire here. However, most of them buy property and return to Canada after 6 months. If you don't, you also risk losing your health benefits in Canada, at least that's what I've heard.

BTW - you mentioned a nursing facility. Medicare is not Long Term Care. There are time limits & restrictions. Medicare does not pay for what is commonly known as custodial care and neither does private insurance. This is why it is so hard to discuss insurance options in a post. Too many things to cover.