Retiring to Florida
Aug 29th 2016, 11:05 pm
#19
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Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 27
Re: Retiring to Florida
I have many years service in the NHS and let me tell you anyone (literally) gets free healthcare! Just need to step off the plane and register with a GP. Fact. Not right I know but that is the truth. Thinking maybe 6 months a year renting might be the best option. Many thanks for all your advice/ knowledge.
Aug 29th 2016, 11:08 pm
#20
Joined: Dec 2001
Location: Dixie, ex UK
Posts: 52,439
Re: Retiring to Florida
You are two-thirds right - all three "parts" are insurance premiums, so you pay a premium for prescriptions whether or not you are currently receiving any medications.
Aug 29th 2016, 11:22 pm
#24
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Re: Retiring to Florida
Aug 29th 2016, 11:24 pm
#25
Deep in the woods of CT
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 7,002
Re: Retiring to Florida
You mean just pay in full for prescriptions? You will still be paying for the drugs at the store even with insurance, but it will cost much less because of the part D coverage (and it is basically mandatory, there's a penalty for not signing up when eligible).
Aug 29th 2016, 11:25 pm
#26
Joined: Dec 2001
Location: Dixie, ex UK
Posts: 52,439
Re: Retiring to Florida
All that said, if you have a heart attack and need a triple bypass you aren't going to be in any condition to hop on a plane back to the UK from Florida to avoid $200,000 of medical expenses.
Aug 29th 2016, 11:28 pm
#27
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Re: Retiring to Florida
I did mean pay in full at the time you need them, are you saying that's not an option? (I'm thinking you might not need medication for years, so what's the point of paying for something you're not using? ) But if you're saying it's mandatory???
Aug 29th 2016, 11:32 pm
#28
Joined: Dec 2001
Location: Dixie, ex UK
Posts: 52,439
Re: Retiring to Florida
... Medicare beneficiaries who were eligible for but did not enroll in a Part D when they were first eligible and later want to enroll, pay a late-enrollment penalty, basically a premium surtax, if they did not have creditable coverage through another source such as an employer or the .... This penalty is equal to 1% of the national premium index times the number of full calendar months that they were eligible for but not enrolled in Part D and did not have creditable coverage through another source. The penalty raises the premium of Part D for beneficiaries, when and if they elect coverage. .....
Aug 29th 2016, 11:39 pm
#29
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Jan 2006
Location: San Francisco
Posts: 12,865
Re: Retiring to Florida
Anyway, prescriptions are likely a relatively small part of your puzzle.
Aug 29th 2016, 11:39 pm
#30
Deep in the woods of CT
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 7,002
Re: Retiring to Florida
I don't use any medications so have the cheapest possible policy, about $22 per month, as it is the easiest way to go. I couldn't just say "Changed my mind, now I want coverage!" if anything happened.