[Ohiogirl]

I recently purchased private healthcare insurance after my Cobra ran out. Same policies in Ohio were about 1/3 cheaper than Florida - but I'm now a Florida resident.

With no pre-existing, I pay $411/mo. for an AARP plan thru Aetna. Florida is an underwriting state (meaning they review your health records and scrutinize your application). Plans now cover wellness benefits (annual physical, immunizations, mammogram, bonescan - I think every 2 years at my age) at no cost. It's a high deductible plan - I think it's $5,000, then 80/20 until $7,500 annual cap is met. Mine has a co-pay for gp and also for specialist visits. A healthcare professional friend of mine helped me interpret the coverage - you need to know what to ask and be sure you understand.

Make a list of questions, such as: what if I developed cancer? Are doctor visits AND treatments covered and at what rate/co-pay, etc. Some policies have some carefully worded language that you need to understand. What if I have an injury and need an MRI (or multiple MRIs) and surgery? Etc. What if I developed a chronic illness such as M.S. or Parkinson's.? Understand the prescription drug coverage.

Another plan with Aetna was cheaper premium but an annual cap of $12,500. A cheaper BC/BS plan was available, but when it went thru underwriting was going to be almost $500/mo. An even cheaper BC/BS plan looked good until I found out what the fine print meant in the event of a chronic illness. I have a minor skin condition (Rosacea) that I think was overlooked (although I disclosed it) by Aetna underwriting. BC/BS wanted an extra 25% for that, even though it involves 1 dr. visit annually and a couple of topical prescriptions! Have never heard of anyone being hospitalized for Rosacea.

A good website to start with is ehealthinsurance.com to compare policies. In Florida, if you have had continuous healthcare coverage, you cannot be denied for pre-existing, but can be charged a higher premium (in some cases, much higher).

Policies are age- and community-banded (60-64 year age band, in my case). Was told to expect about a 10% increase per year. Friend of mine is now researching private healthcare, even though she qualifies for her retiree healthcare, because her retiree healthcare is now $1200-1300 mo. for her and her spouse! No longer subsidized by her employer. That's happening all over the place, even sometimes for those already retired who planned their budgets accordingly.