Paying for health insurance

Well said. Pretty much sums it up. Our greedy politicians (who have golden single payer health care) have been bought off by big business.

As a Canadian, I am lucky to receive good medical care without any direct cost to my family. Yes, we pay higher taxes, but our nation's philosophy is that access to good education and health care should be a basic right for all citizens. The cost of your medical insurance premiums and deductibles astounds me. But unless the middleman of high profit insurance companies is eliminated, your system will not be fixed. Are you aware that the USA is the only western nation without universal health care coverage? Your "Medicare" for seniors is basically the system we have for all residents in Canada--with no deductibles. I know "socialism" is a nasty word in your country, but how is unbridled capitalism in the health care system serving the best interests of your citizens. We watch the ongoing debate on fixing Anerican health care in your political arena, with all the permutations, combinations, eliminations presented by all the special interest groups, but nothing ever gets fixed. Your citizens deserve better.

winnietrey wrote:
There is a small minority( relatively speaking) Like Big Kanuna, us and some others that have posted. To be part of this special group you must be.

1) old, but not old enough for Medicare.
2) Not have insurance through an employer
3) make to much for any government help
4) but not enough to be "rich"

As a part of this lucky group, our premiums for lousy coverage are now about 20% plus of our household income.

Because we are a small minority, no one cares much. But if the average American,
was paying those kinds of rates, for what is basically catastrophic coverage, and not some Cadillac plan. I would bet things would change pretty quick in my opinion.

We are part of that minority category also. We are 60 and 62. Our "affordable" health insurance is anything but, and pays for very little. Monthly premiums this year were $800 and $1,100. Of course we all know 2018 will bring another increase.

One thing I am researching right now is the Christian Healthcare ministries that are out there. They are approved as insurance and one incurs no penalty from the govt. Just kinda that radical change in how one pays for their bills and I just need more research etc but I see prems are way more affordable in this scenario. Another avenue to explore for us right now.

I'm paying $300 per month for short-term health insurance for me, my wife, and her son, but it's not Obamacare approved so I am subject to the income tax penalty. Still, it will be cheaper than buying a government approved plan. We're all healthy (knock on wood) so I don't have to worry about pre-existing conditions. I'm going to retire next year and I think my income will qualify for a nice government subsidy on their plans until Medicare kicks in unless Congress repeals the Affordable Care Act. I can't say Affordable with a straight face.

Medicare is the best insurance we have ever had. We were paying $1650.00 a month before we were old enough to qualify.

The last two posts have pretty much clarified the issue, as far as I am concerned.
The ACA does not seem affordable or caring, just a ruling to benefit the insurance companies.
In my experience rates were steady for over twenty years with very small increases.
Until ACA, now they have doubled or tripled and the coverage is about 1/3 to 1/2 less than it was, resulting in more out of pocket costs on top of the premiums and deductables.

we are dealing with this.
we socked away enough for early retirement to start now (hubby 52 and I am 56) and we have alot to live on per month to cover basic lifestyle for 13 yrs til he hits age 65.
BUT BECAUSE of medical insurance high unbelievable premiums we can not early retire at all. They are just too high to make our scenario work for now.
We are absolutely trapped by med insurance point blank. What a bunch of.....you guys can fill in the blank.
Best of luck to you, we are working on what to do and how to make this work and the outcome is not looking rosey at all for us.

There is a small minority( relatively speaking) Like Big Kanuna, us and some others that have posted. To be part of this special group you must be.

1) old, but not old enough for Medicare.
2) Not have insurance through an employer
3) make to much for any government help
4) but not enough to be "rich"

As a part of this lucky group, our premiums for lousy coverage are now about 20% plus of our household income.

Because we are a small minority, no one cares much. But if the average American,
was paying those kinds of rates, for what is basically catastrophic coverage, and not some Cadillac plan. I would bet things would change pretty quick in my opinion.

Here's an excellent article:

http://wheelingit.us/2017/10/31/health-insurance-time-2018-considerations-for-pre-medicare-rvers/