lansbury

For those thinking of moving their aged parents to the USA here is something to cogitate.

Just worked out our medical expenses for 2012 for the jolly old IRS deductions. I'm 64 my wife is 62 our medical insurance premiums for 2012 were $15900, add co-pays etc and our medical expenses came to $16900. Fortunately we are in good health and apart from Mrs L having diabetic check ups don't visit the doctor very often.

Just image what is might cost if an elderly person was actually ill.

sir_eccles

To put that in perspective, compare it to the median household income in the US of about $45k. Once you take off taxes, rent/mortgage, health insurance, food, utilities what are you left with (or how much do you owe)?

penguinsix

That price actually seems low. Is it a group plan or individual?

lansbury

Individual. One with Providence, and one with Blue Cross/Blue Shield via the Oregon Medical Pool. The BC/BS one is the more expensive, but is only has a $500 deductible. The Providence one is $2500.

Bob

Be interesting to see the difference around the country, comparing those states that have a high risk pool and such like v those who don't.

In MA, one thing I didn't realise until a friend tried to get MassHealth after getting divorced and dumped from OH's policy, that the asset count to qualify for the subsidised rate is set very low, that her $3K car put her over the threshold and didn't qualify.

robin1234

My wife & I are both 62. She recently retired, I'm retiring in a few weeks time. We are both fortunate in having employers who fully cover us for health insurance from age 62 until the Medicare age of 65.

In my case, the retiree policy is very simple. "Retiree will remain on health plan (Excellus BCBS Healthy Blue or High Deductible High Plan) as if still actively employed. The monthly charge is the same as for active employees." The monthly charge is about $55. For me, this employer-provided health care terminates at age 65 then I move on to Medicare. I pay $20 for doctor visits, $40 for specialist visits, and have an annual maximum out of pocket of $1,500.

My wife worked for the State, and she also gets unchanged coverage (with a premium of about $50, I think) until Medicare age when her State plan becomes secondary to Medicare. I think that means she does not need a "medigap" policy from age 65, but I'm not sure about that..