Health Insurance in Phoenix Area (Scottsdale, Maricopa: brokers, home, buy)

[bdeclee56]

When I relocate to the general Phoenix Valley (likely Maricopa County) next spring, I will have to find some kind of health care until I can qualify for Medicare in 2021. I am retiring, so I will not be covered by an employer.

I know most insurers have pulled out of Maricopa County. My question for those of you who have individual health insurance that you pay for, not your employer is: Who insures you and how did you go about getting that insurance? Did you talk to a consultant? Did you go to healthcare.gov and enroll? Do you have any advice/suggestions?

This is understandably a huge topic but I just need a little direction for how to get started.

Thanks,
Barbara

[Hal Roach]

Try WWW.EHEALTHINSURANCE.COM. you might be able to start out with a STM for six months, not quite the same as regular health insurance, but you will have a relatively low deductible.

[yukon]

Enrollment at healthcare.gov is open until Dec 15th I believe. I checked rates for me, 60 YO NS female, and the cheapest plan runs over $900/mo. Good luck.

[Burkmere]

Originally Posted by yukon

Enrollment at healthcare.gov is open until Dec 15th I believe. I checked rates for me, 60 YO NS female, and the cheapest plan runs over $900/mo. Good luck.

Yes, but if you want to keep your Dr. you can and it's gone way down from where it was before Obamacare as promised!!

[Java Jolt]

Originally Posted by bdeclee56

When I relocate to the general Phoenix Valley (likely Maricopa County) next spring, I will have to find some kind of health care until I can qualify for Medicare in 2021. I am retiring, so I will not be covered by an employer.

I know most insurers have pulled out of Maricopa County. My question for those of you who have individual health insurance that you pay for, not your employer is: Who insures you and how did you go about getting that insurance? Did you talk to a consultant? Did you go to healthcare.gov and enroll? Do you have any advice/suggestions?

This is understandably a huge topic but I just need a little direction for how to get started.

Thanks,
Barbara

My employer covers my health insurance but my significant other had to search for temporary coverage about two years ago while out of work.

After searching the variety of options, my SO decided to be covered under COBRA because the available plans were too expensive.

COBRA isn't cheap but it turned out to be less expensive, you might see if you can qualify for it.

Be careful about insurance coverage that seems too good to be true, and make sure whatever plan you choose covers pre-existing conditions. If it doesn't then it's either not ACA-qualified or it's a scam.

[yukon]

Originally Posted by Burkmere

Yes, but if you want to keep your Dr. you can and it's gone way down from where it was before Obamacare as promised!!

Actually, no. The Maricopa County rates are double what I was paying in Albuquerque this year.

[Burning Madolf]

Originally Posted by Burkmere

Yes, but if you want to keep your Dr. you can and it's gone way down from where it was before Obamacare as promised!!

You forget how to use the sarcastic font?

[MN-Born-n-Raised]

I've been looking at "moving" to PHX versus MN (I live 6 months in each spot). In AZ, and more specifically, Maricopa County, you have exactly ONE and only ONE choice. All of the other insurance companies in the "individual pool" left/exited. The provider is https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Centene_Corporation under the name of Ambetter. Here is some reviews: https://bestcompany.com/health-insur...mpany/ambetter GULP!

Individual pools are different than small group. With individual, you are stuffed in the"Obamacare pool". That's TERRIBLE because that is where healthy young people are leaving in droves because they rates are going up and UP. So all that is left is the higher risk people or people who get subsidies who don't care how expensive the rates are. well over 1/2 of the pool is in bed with mother government so they don't care. In fact, many people are intentionally cutting back on their income to get below the threshold so that they get subsidies. So they have their wife drop working or whatever it takes to reduce their income. So the system is set-up to reward making less money so people can be on the tit of government for help.

The Maricopa rates recently went up 120% and it earned the honors of having the highest hike in the nation. What happened is healthy young people dropped their insurance and run back to what they use to and into ER. Also, higher risk people are spending like mad and the system is categorically broken! Insurance companies ran for the doors and no one has fixed the problem.

If I was to live in AZ, my wife and I (52 non-smokers) would pay $1200 a month ($14,400 a year) with a $13,100 family deductible. Basically $14K for ZERO benefit other than catastrophic insurance. And any day or two hospital visit means >$20K bill.

With Ambetter (AZ insurance company), you have to stay within 30 mile radius by your home to get covered. If not, you are out of network. So imagine you called to see a specialist. Most specialists that are good are taking there next appointment in March of April. So if you have to drive to the other edge of the Valley to get a doctors cancellation slot, you are "out of network" and it is on your dime. Again, the system is BROKEN.

Another interesting factoid is that NO individual insurance plans will cover out of state, in network visits. Let me explain. This year (2017), I have BCBS out of MN and I pay $18500 in premiums for my wife and I with a $6500 family deductible). Really. SO in 2017, I can go to the doctor in AZ OR MN and get covered "in network". In 2018, no individual plan in will do that. In other words, you cannot buy insurance where you are from and think you can beat the system. It won't work here. TO be clear, if I pick MN as my residence or AZ, I'm out of network in any the other state and it has to be an emergency to even count as your massive deductible. I mention this because this is a major development for seasonal/snowbirds that are not retired. So my choices are pick the POS, terribly reviewed Ambetter, or a less expensive MN company with 4 choices. I'm not strapped to a 30 mile radius. In short, this is the best that Maracopa County could muster-up and that's what you get without competition. It's also what happens with you let $38K per year government employees try to solve problems; massive incompetence.

But pay close attention Ambetter limited the range of service. Possibly more important, many complaints have been lodge against Ambetter because many doctors that are listed in network are really not in the plan. A lot of words to say, you are paying for something that often times you cannot use or the lead times are so long, you could not see a specialist if you wanted. Basically, you pay a lot of money for frustrations or a catastrophic plan that more-or-less is used if you end up in the hospital. I'd actually buy such a plan if it was offered if it was offered for a lot less. But that's not what is allowed any longer. Individuals plans are helping keep the rates terrible versus much worse and no one gives a damn.

I'm upset because currently, I can go to the Mayo in Scottsdale where the level of service is best-in-class. They lap the level of service; and ain't close! So now I get stuck talking with a 21 year old ignoramus to make medical appointments after being on hold for 20 minutes and fighting with the inept billing people. Did I mention the medical system is broke yet (especially AZ and individual)? In short, welcome! Your screwed. Open your wallet and don't expect to get much.

[bdeclee56]

@MN-Born-and-Raised: Yow!

What about these "faith-based" medical plans that self-describe as a cost-sharing group? Anyone have any input about those?

[MN-Born-n-Raised]

Originally Posted by bdeclee56

@MN-Born-and-Raised: Yow!

What about these "faith-based" medical plans that self-describe as a cost-sharing group? Anyone have any input about those?

That's one approach. re: faith based. I'm agnostic. Maybe there I should sign up for "Doubting Insurance Co".

Another company (I forgot their name) is allowed in AZ insurance that is a fraction of the price. Officially, you still need to pay around 3% federal penalty for opting out. That plan is illegal in some states including MN but not AZ. But they refuse to cover any preexisting conditions. My 1st concern is will they REALLY payout if you land in the hospital. That's a slippery slope. With a little creativity, I could imagine they could call high blood pressure a heart precondition. i.e. the heart attack was caused by your blood pressure. Don't agree? Well take them to court. There is a saying: in a p_ssing contest, everyone gets wet. It's a no possible win situation. So you will need "faith" that they will pay. Local brokers sell them. But when asked, "tell me someone who used the plan (payout)" they cannot give me an example.

So having a piece of paper is one thing. Actually knowing people who used the insurance is more valid. What's that saying; when it is too good to be true, maybe it is?? What makes it even more difficult to characterize is trying to research the company. Because every single medical insurance company but BCBS gets blasted in reviews. For instance, let's pick on Etna Medical Insurance. See https://www.consumeraffairs.com/insu...na_health.html . Or maybe United Healthcare (1000 1 out of 5 stars https://www.consumeraffairs.com/insu...re.html?page=2

So bend over. You are in a group of 5% of the population where 50% of those gets subsidies. No one cares. Also, when you see that rates dropped by 30%. Maybe for some people. But they have tagged higher rates on older people now. You subsidized everybody from age 20-60. Now all of that stops and you get to pay though the nose again and subsidize preconditions. Welcome to the club!

p.s. I've put a dozens of hours into this topic. It's why I'm still paying. I have too much to lose to roll the dice.