health insurance

[old_guy]

well it was bound to happen sooner than later. DW retired because of health problems, she has MS, and the school dist will pay for her insurance until she reaches 65. BUT, in the wording of the contract that means she is only covered and I loose my coverage for eye glasses and dental. I have fed blue cross and they don't cover those needs. so I thought I would look around for a supplement insurance. found out if I got one of the supplement insurances my blue cross would be canceled out and gone. don't think I want to do that, even the lady on the phone told me not to do that. might have to look at federal plans during open season this year, might have to go to another plan. this getting old stuff is for the birds. like retirement, just don't like all the side effects.

[down_home]

We got the notice last week. Our Co Insurance through Wife's former Employer will be going up over 800%. Insurance Companies are lobbying to keep Obama Care.
It should not cost us anything. Wife worked over Forty years just like a lot of Folks under contract. The Retiree Health Fund many millions, far more than would ever be used by the Retirees.
Thanks to lobbying by Wall Street many years ago, now,I've forgotten the years. AT&T took it and put it in the CEO and other Officers and huge voting Investors pockets. They stole the money, simple as that. It was now illegal but immoral and no different than using a gun and holding them up.
Tomorrow I go for three appointments EMG aand MRI and Dr and with an understanding they won't do anything about my rutured disc and nerve and muscle problems in arms. I've twisted my right knee and toe the Miniscus and the left one has been rough for a long time now. Last Dr wouldn't look at the MRI of it. so many things have happened. I have no friends at VA it seems. I am thinking of staying in bed and jus spend the rest of my time in the house on the couch and in the bed and as I can get around. I can't handle any more of the game whatever it is. They won't send me outside to look at the knees and won't se me for ten weeks with the same Dr that wouldn't look at the MRI last time. I'm now using a walker but right arm and hand won't let that continue. So a wheel chair when it gets here except for periods when the knees aren't inflamed or feeling like they will be shortly.
I hope whoever is doing this gets a good night's sleep. I'll be awake for him or them and many more nights. Wish me luck

[bsinmich]

Don't forget that the insurance companies are not charities!! Most dental and vision insurance plans are just dollar swapping with the ins. co. getting their cut. Put the premium cost away yourself and you will probably work out OK. This is what I tell my clients.

[Gale_Hawkins]

PennyPA wrote:
We each have Medicare and a supplemental Plan F. We have been able to get healthcare in all the states we've visited with no problem. I think the REAL problem with Medicare is that fewer and fewer doctors are accepting new Medicare patients.

.

You nailed the real problem. The better quality doctors can go the private pay route only, work fewer weekends and have better take home pay vs working for ACA, etc covered patients. Quality medical care in the future I expect will be determine on our bank accounts and not health care insurance we have.

[PennyPA]

We each have Medicare and a supplemental Plan F. We have been able to get healthcare in all the states we've visited with no problem. I think the REAL problem with Medicare is that fewer and fewer doctors are accepting new Medicare patients.

[crouseman41]

I also have Federal Blue Cross Blue Shield - mine is standard option. I also have Federal Dental Blue for self and one (standard coverage) and in Oklahoma the premium currently is $48.90 per month - varies by region. Limit of liability per year is $1500. When I looked at the BCBS premium pages for 2014, I also saw that BCBS offers vision insurance - didn't check the premiums for that. You might want to look at what they offer. Good luck - finding the best deal in any insurance is a pain.

Paulette

[wny_pat1]

kalynzoo wrote:
Just had a bad thought. The Affordable Care Act requires you sign with a medical group, in California you sign with a California certified group. What will happen when a person starts traveling out of State? Previously most plans allowed for out of area care, for urgent care, when approved, and only sufficient to have your return to base. What now?

I would think it is just like Medicare, you have to check the plan to see if it will cover out of the area. I know not all Medicare plans will offer that coverage, but some do.

[Rocky2]

Old Guy, I appreciate your situation. My wife and I retired early when she was diagnosed with COPD and Parkinson's disease. She also has dementia now which is common for PD patients. We decided to self insure for eye care and dental when the youngest kid turned 18. We are well ahead by self insuring early.

Laying aside the insurance issue for others, continue to go RVing as long as your wife is able. I know first hand that you cannot reclaim lost time.

[Gale_Hawkins]

kalynzoo I expect that will be addressed but since even when the required roll out will happen is the debate today I expect there is no one in the world who can definitively answer your question which is a good one. The big money people got ACA delayed to next year and now others are wanting the President to offer the same option to small money people. Not to stop it for those who want it today but just delay the tax we have to pay currently if we opt out.

ACA stated objective I have read is to get us ASAP to a single payer plan. It by default should be federal in nature so as to get the states out of insurance decisions as states rights decline at the wishes of 535 plus a few. All we know about ACA today could be very different 60 days from now based on the USA having or not having the ability to borrow at the current and then accelerating rate needed to just pay the interest on the interest. 😞

[kalynzoo]

Just had a bad thought. The Affordable Care Act requires you sign with a medical group, in California you sign with a California certified group. What will happen when a person starts traveling out of State? Previously most plans allowed for out of area care, for urgent care, when approved, and only sufficient to have your return to base. What now?

[Gale_Hawkins]

sdianel wrote:
My retiree insurance was cancelled when the Affordable Care Act was signed into law. I shopped around, did the math and found that it would be cheaper to self pay for dental and optical than to purchase insurance. I only get dental cleanings and no major work thank goodness and only need glasses every 2 years. I just save the money for those things. Many times if you self pay and ask, the provider will offer a discount. I would be careful about changing insurance companies right now. Have you tried getting a quote from the Affordable Health Care exchange for your state? Might help you make the decision.

Thanks for sharing your personal experience. Some are seeing loss of retiree insurance like you. Private pay is the only kind of patients some doctor may see in the future. It will all shake out in a few years hopefully.

[sdianel_-acct_c]

My retiree insurance was cancelled when the Affordable Care Act was signed into law. I shopped around, did the math and found that it would be cheaper to self pay for dental and optical than to purchase insurance. I only get dental cleanings and no major work thank goodness and only need glasses every 2 years. I just save the money for those things. Many times if you self pay and ask, the provider will offer a discount. I would be careful about changing insurance companies right now. Have you tried getting a quote from the Affordable Health Care exchange for your state? Might help you make the decision.

[RV_CONUS]

Wish you didn't bring up getting old and side affects in the same paragraph.

Reminded me about getting old and side affects.

It's like a pressure headache, after awhile, you don't know you have it. Well, almost true, I'm reminded every morning when trying to get out of bed.

First thing I check is to make sure my name isn't in the Obituary Column. Then, the side affects don't seem as permanent as the alternative.

Safe Travels Old Guy from Oler Guy!

[Gale_Hawkins]

We just need to get rich enough to go the private pay route. At 62 it is hard to greatly change retirement funds balance however in our case.

I think the unknowns grow each day.

Best of luck find the right options for your household.

[RV_CONUS]

We use GEHA under FEHB, has eye exams and minimal dental.

We use Zenni Optical for our Glasses. Progressive Bifocals about $38 including shipping. Transition Progressive Bifocals about $109 including shipping.

Have purchased about 6 pairs over the last year. They are so reasonable, order backup, prescription sunglasses, etc. We have been 100% satisfied. Just got tired of paying $300++ for each pair of glasses.

Dental, we go to Acuna by Del Rio, Geha even reimbursed covered costs for our Mexican Dentist. She is great! and reasonable.

carried FEHB, BCBS for years, but coverage, deductibles etc., continued to erode. We liked BC, but GEHA has been a satisfactory replacement at less cost overall for us.

It may become a moot issue in the future, who knows!

Good Luck