What do you do about health insurance??

[longlegsally]

Hi everyone, new here, but a loooooooong time follower of van life - way before it was popular I have dreamed about ditching it all and jumping in a van with my dog.  I'm seeing the light at the end of the tunnel.  I'm 57 so I do not qualify for Medicare and I am not on any disability.  Just wondering how everyone gets healthcare and what type.  I've seen some that get on ACA but I'm wondering how long does it take and do they look at your income from last year?  I've searched the web and nothing really applies to me so I'm wondering how other newbies did it.  Thank you!

 

[RoamerRV428]

I don't know nothing about ACA

what we did for early retirement was go with Christian Healthcare Ministry.

There are few other companies to research but you must find out if it suits you. This is 'not health ins.' but the Govt. recognizes it as a healthcare ins. plan so we cover all bases.

So cheap What we went with to have coverage but not get nailed to the coffin wall thru the cost of reg. health ins.

BUT I SAY NOW I did tons of research and this floats our boat....research a ton about it if interested.

There are alternatives out there, but do your homework

 

[Malamute]

Despite predictions of doom from some, the ACA has been pretty good in my experience. When I first checked it the website said it was crazy expensive for me. I mentioned it to someone, they said check with this guy,.....hes a facilitator, he helps people understand how it works. he did, i got in, it was very affordable, and probably saved my life (severe pain from an injury and leukemia that became apparent when looking into the injuries/pain thing). Since that first time I investigated it it has become much simpler to access and get good info, and re-enlist each year. i believe the baseline income is something over $12K/yr from all sources (total gross income from all sources, not necessarily taxable) to qualify as above medicaid qualification level, then its price is based on income level each year.

 

[tx2sturgis]

If your income is somewhere between 12k and 48k a year you can probably qualify for ACA...(those are not absolute limits, just rough numbers) 

healthcare.gov

You will spend some time entering your information and then based on income and other factors, the website will determine how much premium assistance you will qualify for. Then it will present you with a variety of healthcare providers to choose your plan and coverage. With a modest income of around 15,000-25,000 per year, you might end up paying almost nothing for your premiums. If your income is higher than that, your premiums will increase, but should still be reasonable.

By the way, right now is open enrollment until December 15 so don't wait too long.

 

[Calaverasgrande]

It varies by state, since the states administer the exchanges.
In NY I qualified for ACA even though I inherited a stock portfolio the year before.
Apparently Its based on income not assets.
But I also may have loopholed because of the pandemic.
The only reason I applied was because COVID was beating the daylights out of me and I was afraid I'd end up in an ICU and have all my savings drained.
Luckily I recovered without an ER visit.

 

[shadowmoss]

An issue I had when I was on ACA pre medicare is that all of the networks I could afford were very local. I suggest making an appointment with a facilitator.

If you get a plan with local only networks and you intend to travel, look into getting some kind of medical transportation insurance to cover transporting you back to wherever local is for your insurance purposes.

 

[Tony's Dream]

I am fortunate enough to be able to use the VA. I am still working until I am 60, then I will be able to transfer my current insurance over into retirement. That appears to be our best option.

 

[Malamute]

My home state is very rural, the home area is the entire state and nearby large cities in adjoining states that people from smaller towns go to for medical and other needs. Monthly premiums have varied between $12-$25-ish/mo, a bit over $1000 total yearly out of pocket cost, $1 to $5 prescriptions. The out of pocket yearly goes up substantially if I see docs outside my home area, but still tops out way less them paying out of pocket for any medical care.

It hasnt been an issue getting surgery or chemo, or about any med care any doc suggests is worth doing. I can basically see any doc so far as i know, its not been a problem getting specialists to check out some of the stuff Ive had to get treated. I cant complain at all about it in my case.

Edit: I didnt mention mine was ACA. It must vary quite a bit by state, as my income is at the lower level of the range, and there are several different plans available that are all under about $30/mo and reasonable deductibles and out of pocket limits. Someone below mentioned $600/mo premiums with ACA, thats way off the charts for anything Ive seen available in my state even with higher income levels ($30k-ish).

When i first checked it online, it said my premiums would be in the $600/mo range, too much for me to afford, but a friend referred me to a facilitator that helped me figure it out, mine started at around $12/mo and has stayed near that for the most part.

 

[RVTravel]

This website is another new way of looking at plans. I think it is very good and to get a quote does not take all of your personal info.

https://www.kasasa.com/care/health/health-insurance/open-enrollment

 

[MorgaVan]

I recently retired. I'm 61 so also do not qualify for Medicare. Husband is six years older so he's all set with health insurance. I went to healthcare.gov for research and got confused so I called the number on the site and worked with someone there. He helped me through the application process and choosing a plan I was comfortable with. They use your income for the coming year, not the last year. So you have to estimate what your income will be in retirement. I am healthy and rarely see a doctor so ended up with a high deductible plan with very low premium. Hope this helps.

 

[frater secessus]

Just wondering how everyone gets healthcare and what type.

V.A.

 

[Skydancer]

Hi everyone, new here, but a loooooooong time follower of van life - way before it was popular I have dreamed about ditching it all and jumping in a van with my dog. I'm seeing the light at the end of the tunnel. I'm 57 so I do not qualify for Medicare and I am not on any disability. Just wondering how everyone gets healthcare and what type. I've seen some that get on ACA but I'm wondering how long does it take and do they look at your income from last year? I've searched the web and nothing really applies to me so I'm wondering how other newbies did it. Thank you!

 

[Skydancer]

I would suggest you go to the Homes on Wheels Alliance website & find the video about healthcare. These type questions have been researched in depth & is readily available to you!! See ya on the toad’

 

[rruff]

I recently retired. I'm 61 so also do not qualify for Medicare. Husband is six years older so he's all set with health insurance. I went to healthcare.gov for research and got confused so I called the number on the site and worked with someone there. He helped me through the application process and choosing a plan I was comfortable with. They use your income for the coming year, not the last year. So you have to estimate what your income will be in retirement. I am healthy and rarely see a doctor so ended up with a high deductible plan with very low premium. Hope this helps.

Your premiums are low if you get a big subsidy... otherwise ACA is expensive. I'm 61 as well, and the lowest price high deductible plan is over $600/mo. The subsidies are changing for 2022 though (just one year unless congress renews), and it looks like I qualify to have about half that subsidized.

The problem with ACA is you appear to have to stay in a local network. How do you get coverage on the road?

I would suggest you go to the Homes on Wheels Alliance website & find the video about healthcare. These type questions have been researched in depth & is readily available to you!! See ya on the toad’

Went to the website and looked around, found the youtube channel and searched there also. Didn't find anything about insurance.

 

[vanman2300]

I would get cammo colored chair instead of bright red and find other things to send a message it's a guy who likely hunts and has a gun. Keep yor car pointed in the escape direction and know what's in your escape route before going to sleep. Keep both pepper spray and bear spray using bear spray outside the vehicle only. A powerful flashlight to blind and startle. Keep keys hanging next to you and use the panic button. Lastly if you get a small dog they can't be beat for 24hr guard watch.

 

[rruff]

what we did for early retirement was go with Christian Healthcare Ministry.

I looked into that, but reviews made it seem very iffy... and you have no legal recourse. Prices are definitely decent, though. I wish they had options for high deductible; I really just want it for stuff that would wipe me out, but then I want to be sure they'll pay!

I also checked out international insurance, and was all ready to sign up... but you have to reside outside the country for at least 3 months out of the year. That's not so bad, but I didn't like having that as a requirement.

Anyway, with subsidies it looks like ACA is nearly free for me this year (this is a special stimulus thing). Maybe I'll coast by until I get medicare.