Health insurance - TX state High risk pool coverage (Tyler: cost of, store)

[Jkgourmet]

I am an early retiree (55) and unable to obtain individual health insurance due to pre-existing conditions. We had been Planning on relocating to Florida; sadly, I will be unable to obtain health insurance there.

I have learned that TX has a high risk pool, and the premiums are affordable for us. I'd like to hear from anyone who has used this insurance. Any comments, good or bad, would be appreciated.

(I am fully aware of the first phase of the health care reform act that set up PCIP for people like me. I am NOT willing to risk being in that program at this point in time. If the HCRA gets repealed, the PCIP will disappear. Also, you must go without insurance for 6 months to be eligible. Those are not acceptable risks, IMO.)

[TX75007]

Are you a member of the Texas Farm Bureau?

I had insurance under them for over ten years.

I know nothing about the risk pool.

[shildebrandt]

I am an Health insurance Agent in Texas. I have helped several people get coverage with the TX Risk Pool. You do have to qualify for the Risk pool.

If you are on Cobra or State Continuation you have to exhaust these plans before you apply. You have to have a condition defined by the TX Risk Pool or you have to be turned down by Individual Health insurance carrier.

It normally takes about 8 days for the TX Risk Pool to process an application. If you want the first of the month effective date you have to apply by the 15th of the previous month. It is maintained by Blue Cross Blue Shield of TX, you use Doctors and Hospitals in the Blue Cross Blue Shield of TX network.

You can reach me at 1.800.281.8783 or 817.451.8783 or stephen@layandwilliams.com and I will be happy to discuss the TX Risk Pool with you.

Are you married or do have any dependents? They won't have to be on the Risk Pool with you unless they don't qualify for Individual Health Insurance. We are authorized agency with Aetna, Assurant, Blue Cross, Cigna, Humana, Golden Rule, United Healthcare and Celtic.

Stephen Hildebrandt
Lay and Williams Health Insurance Services
Affordable Health Insurance for Texas

[loves2read]

we have friends in Tyler in this situation==the guy retired early after working for an o/g company that sold off properties--they have money but no carry forward health coverage...
he had to join the state high risk pool when the company closed and has been using it for several years...except for the cost of the premiums he is OK with the coverage aspect...
I don't know that he really has had a major problem though--like a surgery for knee replacement or any heart problems...
His wife is few years younger and she was in better health I guess so she has an independent policy--

he is staunch Republican and does not understand that his vote is one reason he is moaning about his premiums for health coverage

[Jkgourmet]

Originally Posted by shildebrandt

I am an Health insurance Agent in Texas. I have helped several people get coverage with the TX Risk Pool. You do have to qualify for the Risk pool.

If you are on Cobra or State Continuation you have to exhaust these plans before you apply. You have to have a condition defined by the TX Risk Pool or you have to be turned down by Individual Health insurance carrier.

It normally takes about 8 days for the TX Risk Pool to process an application. If you want the first of the month effective date you have to apply by the 15th of the previous month. It is maintained by Blue Cross Blue Shield of TX, you use Doctors and Hospitals in the Blue Cross Blue Shield of TX network.

You can reach me at 1.800.281.8783 or 817.451.8783 or stephen@layandwilliams.com and I will be happy to discuss the TX Risk Pool with you.

Are you married or do have any dependents? They won't have to be on the Risk Pool with you unless they don't qualify for Individual Health Insurance. We are authorized agency with Aetna, Assurant, Blue Cross, Cigna, Humana, Golden Rule, United Healthcare and Celtic.

Stephen Hildebrandt
Lay and Williams Health Insurance Services
Affordable Health Insurance for Texas

Stephen, thank you for the very helpful reply. I will store your contact information in my folder. Do you do any work - or have familiarity - with the high risk pools in the other states we are considering? Alabama, Tennessee, or Mississippi? (as I said, Florida unfortunately, not a place that we can consider).