[Becky]

Have my house in TV and am wanting to retire (quit) work. I am 54 and don't have enough years in the schools here to retire. I am researching and considering AARP health insurance. Checked and the hospital does accept it. I have a pre-exisitng condition that they will not cover for one year. AARP did tell me that I can use it as secondary insurance while I am still employed this year to get my one year waiting out of the way. Does anyone else have AARP and have they had any issues with it and doctors and the hospital? Anyone else have any ideas? Thanks!

Becky

[golfnut]

Good question as I too will have to provide my own health insurance, I look forward to seeing what experience and rates we might find out there for AARP or any other insurance..

[bamafan]

Becky Golfnut, Try looking at Blue Cross Blue Shield of Florida www.bcbsfl.com They have several different plans for Florida residents.

[nanci2539]

I understand that if you continue on COBRA until retirement that no insurance company can refuse you if you have a preexisting condition. It's something in the COBRA law that mandates it. I'm not too sure on the details but it may be worth it to look into if you're working and on a company policy and you want to retire before 65. Picking up COBRA may be the way to go to protect yourself if you have a precondition.

[jjdees]

If you move from COBRA to a group plan, i.e. with an employer, you are covered for pre-existing conditions. If you move from COBRA to an individual plan, you are not covered for a year. That's what Blue Cross told us when we made the transition. As far as AARP, we have it as a medigap policy and the coverage between Medicare and AARP has been very good.

[golfnut]

Did you go with Blue Cross, roughly what is the monthly premium?

[Becky]

Talked to AARP. Was told I can buy the cheapest ins now with $5000 ded for $191 in Florida. Then after I get my waiting year in I can change and go to a lower ded and higher premium. Cobra is only for 18 months. Also with Cobra, I would have to pay the whole premium. Need to check to see what premium the school, where I work pays. I can't retire until I am 60 with the schools. Don't want to wait that long. My BIL is a pharmacist and says AARP is excellent ins. AARP was very helpful and sent all kinds of info. Very easy to talk to on the phone. Little more research and I think I will go with AARP.

Bama, BCBS won't cover me. But thanks!

Becky

[bamafan]

Golfnut, Go to the website for Blue Cross and you can input info and it will quote you a premium. The times I have done it my premium was 265 to 300.00 with a 1500 to 2000 deductable. They have several different plans. Bama

[samhass]

Check out their Blue Options plan. That's what I bought.

[golfnut]

Thanks, I'll check the website.

[bevcon]

Speaking of AARP insurance... I have moved to TV approx 6 months ago from the state of Washington. I am on Medicare due to disability (not age, as I am 60 years old). Much to my shock and chagrin I am continually hearing that there is only one insurance provider authorized in Florida to offer Medicare Supplement (Medigap) to persons under 65! I forget the name of the company but I believe it is United Healthcare. I was so excited when I heard there was even one carrier. However, after meeting with their representative, I quickly learned that Multiple Sclerosis ( my primary disability) is an exempt group to whom they will not offer a policy. Other diagnoses include Parkinson's, etc. I am becoming increasingly angry; and what a group to discriminate against! But then I think that possibly I'm incorrect and there is something out there for me and others like me. Thank you all for reading this, and I do hope someone out there has some helpful information.

[bamafan]

When you can afford insurance are relatively young and don't really need it YOU CAN GET IT EASILY. When you get older and need it the most and can't afford to pay a small fortune YOU CAN'T GET IT. The government just does not get it. :

[eujaynia]

I have appreciated all this insurance discussion!

We are going through a lot of RIF's in my company. I have been there 19 years, want to retire by 55 (if I don't get RIF'd first) and I am investigating insurance possibilities, too.

I get a lot of information from AARP. The plan is through United HealthCare, which is my current PPO with my employer. I am considering getting it as a supplimental insurance. I guess I figure the sooner I get it (at a younger age) the easier it will be financially. I'm healthy as a horse *knocking on head*, other than smoking *sigh*, which I am working on mentally and hoping to quit soon. Stupid habit **as I puff away**.

I'm also going to check out the BCBS site. I have had BCBS in the past and was fairly happy.

BAMA-- you are SO right on about the government "just not getting it!" So frustrating...

Thanks to all for all the great input!

Rebekah

[ripwho]

rebekah - I'm in a similar situation .... would like to retire (curently 55)...Health care is the big unknown right now... I can go Cobra out of my companies group coverage via BCBS for 18 months.. dont smoke but most plans consider me 'slightly heavier than I should be'... (to each there own!!).... I had a friend and ex-employee that retired at age 55 (spot on)... and moved to Winnifred TV... she researched heath coverage also and ended up with the right plan.. if you want I could look up what 'agent' she hooked up with in LadyLake and email you offline? ....I believe it was via BCBS...

[eujaynia]

Hi ripwho ... thank you for your response!

Don't make it a priority, but any info you give would be greatly appreciated. I too, should be able to use COBRA, but that may depend on if I would get RIF'd. I may still get to use it, but would still have to wait until 55.

First time I ever wished I were a couple years older! *LOL* And I was so disappointed in February of this year when I thought I was 53 and I was only 52! LOL How bad is that?! *sigh & a chuckle*

It will all work out. I'm an optimist.

Thanks again for your input/help!

Rebekah