My husband was a self employed CPA. Unfortunately he has diabetes. I lost an accounting job because the company went under and I went to work for him, expecting that we could buy health insurance affordably. Ha! Once they heard he had diabetes, at that time they would not sell us insurance at any price! That has changed slightly but the cost now is unbelievable and unaffordable.

I had to quit my accounting job and take a bottom of the barrel secretarial job because it offered great health care benefits but paid just over minimum wage. Then, to top it off we had to hire a highly paid accountant to do my job. I know virtually no small accounting firm that can afford to offer health insurance and I'm certain that applies to other small businesses.

Unless we can get a grip on our healthcare system, someone in your family is going to have to get a low-paying job with benefits at Walmart or other big box business if you want healthcare for your family.I know dozens of families who already do that. And you can take that to the bank.

Jane032657, when we moved to Florida about 20 years ago we lost all health insurance, but my husband filed papers for a small business and then we were able to get into a group health care program for small business owners. I will get that info to you asap.

cobra to medicare
 

You mentioned this before and I checked with Medicare and they advised you can go from Group insurance to Cobra to Medicare no problem. I guess the caveat is that you need to start Meidcare the month you turn 65. If you pass 65 then I agree you can have a problem. That's the case anytime you decide not to start medicare at 65 cause there are penalties

Please provide something in writing that states what you claim.

PLEASE!!!

Thanks Mudder. Seattle is not the same without you.

Just a reminder, COBRA only lasts for 18 months. Even if your employer provided it, at 55 I don't think it will be much help for you. Also the employer is permitted to charge you, I think it's 2% over what he pays for the insurance. where I worked, there were a lot of really shocked employees who didn't realize they were only paying less that 10% of the total cost while working and then were presented with the entire cost plus two percent. That hurts!

Health Insurance
 

We moved here from PA last October, and in PA we had Blue Cross/Shield. One of the first things that we had to do was get health insurance. We, too, are not yet 65, and went to a broker in TV. There were a few plans from which to choose, and being in pretty good health, we opted for Blue Cross of Florida. The cost to us is a little less than what we had to pay in PA, BUT we choose a $10000. deductible and started an HSA and contributed the max last year. So far, so good. The good thing about the BC here, is we could establish with a doctor - even specialists - and the first visit as a new patient was no cost to us. One other thing...you have to get your Florida drivers license within a small time line, which shows that you cannot keep your out of state residency. We had to surrender our PA drivers licenses when we got our Florida ones. Good luck to you.