My health insurance just jumped

[Anonymous]

Well you know why Trump wins he has a Health Plan to replace the ACA Right??????

If he wins god help us in this area. UGH

[Anonymous]

I never understand these posts. I pay $155/month for a high-deductible plan for one person, up from $135/month last year. It is a high-deductible plan ($10,000 deductible) but I'm 42, rarely use it for anything other than a physical and some bloodwork, and save for this in my HSA. It was a pre-Obamacare plan that was grandfathered in, so I know I got something of a good deal.

But I am planning for early retirement and don't see healthcare as some huge obstacle to this, as others seem to. Serious questions here:

1) Did I just win the lottery with my health plan?

2) Do prices go up that much as you get older?

3) Am I just unusually healthy? I've calculated that even if I developed some serious condition and had to pay the $10K out-of-pocket max every year, I could easily swing that.

4) What else am I overlooking?? I just don't see healthcare as the huge obstacle that others do.

[Anonymous]

My individual self-employed when from 900 to 1200 with 3K deductible for a Silver plan. So I bumped down to the Bronze plan with a 5K deductible. Just shy of 800/month for 2024.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I never understand these posts. I pay $155/month for a high-deductible plan for one person, up from $135/month last year. It is a high-deductible plan ($10,000 deductible) but I'm 42, rarely use it for anything other than a physical and some bloodwork, and save for this in my HSA. It was a pre-Obamacare plan that was grandfathered in, so I know I got something of a good deal.

But I am planning for early retirement and don't see healthcare as some huge obstacle to this, as others seem to. Serious questions here:

1) Did I just win the lottery with my health plan?

2) Do prices go up that much as you get older?

3) Am I just unusually healthy? I've calculated that even if I developed some serious condition and had to pay the $10K out-of-pocket max every year, I could easily swing that.

4) What else am I overlooking?? I just don't see healthcare as the huge obstacle that others do.

In part your age. Also, do you have a strict HMO plan with limited doctors you can go to? As you age and start needing specialists, many limit insurance plans. The ones I have seen require PPOs. No HMOs. But as long as you have any doctor you might need in your plan, then yes, you've hit the health insurance lottery.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This is why I am not leaving my professional position that provides health insurance and pays for 80% of the premium until I am Medicare age.

Not reason enough for me to stay. I wouldn’t trade working for myself for anything and my income is more than twice as high as if I worked for an org.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I never understand these posts. I pay $155/month for a high-deductible plan for one person, up from $135/month last year. It is a high-deductible plan ($10,000 deductible) but I'm 42, rarely use it for anything other than a physical and some bloodwork, and save for this in my HSA. It was a pre-Obamacare plan that was grandfathered in, so I know I got something of a good deal.

But I am planning for early retirement and don't see healthcare as some huge obstacle to this, as others seem to. Serious questions here:

1) Did I just win the lottery with my health plan?

2) Do prices go up that much as you get older?

3) Am I just unusually healthy? I've calculated that even if I developed some serious condition and had to pay the $10K out-of-pocket max every year, I could easily swing that.

4) What else am I overlooking?? I just don't see healthcare as the huge obstacle that others do.

In part your age. Also, do you have a strict HMO plan with limited doctors you can go to? As you age and start needing specialists, many limit insurance plans. The ones I have seen require PPOs. No HMOs. But as long as you have any doctor you might need in your plan, then yes, you've hit the health insurance lottery.

Do you work for yourself or someone else? Prices rice as you age.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I never understand these posts. I pay $155/month for a high-deductible plan for one person, up from $135/month last year. It is a high-deductible plan ($10,000 deductible) but I'm 42, rarely use it for anything other than a physical and some bloodwork, and save for this in my HSA. It was a pre-Obamacare plan that was grandfathered in, so I know I got something of a good deal.

But I am planning for early retirement and don't see healthcare as some huge obstacle to this, as others seem to. Serious questions here:

1) Did I just win the lottery with my health plan?

2) Do prices go up that much as you get older?

3) Am I just unusually healthy? I've calculated that even if I developed some serious condition and had to pay the $10K out-of-pocket max every year, I could easily swing that.

4) What else am I overlooking?? I just don't see healthcare as the huge obstacle that others do.

In part your age. Also, do you have a strict HMO plan with limited doctors you can go to? As you age and start needing specialists, many limit insurance plans. The ones I have seen require PPOs. No HMOs. But as long as you have any doctor you might need in your plan, then yes, you've hit the health insurance lottery.

Do you work for yourself or someone else? Prices rice as you age.

*rise

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I never understand these posts. I pay $155/month for a high-deductible plan for one person, up from $135/month last year. It is a high-deductible plan ($10,000 deductible) but I'm 42, rarely use it for anything other than a physical and some bloodwork, and save for this in my HSA. It was a pre-Obamacare plan that was grandfathered in, so I know I got something of a good deal.

But I am planning for early retirement and don't see healthcare as some huge obstacle to this, as others seem to. Serious questions here:

1) Did I just win the lottery with my health plan?

2) Do prices go up that much as you get older?

3) Am I just unusually healthy? I've calculated that even if I developed some serious condition and had to pay the $10K out-of-pocket max every year, I could easily swing that.

4) What else am I overlooking?? I just don't see healthcare as the huge obstacle that others do.

In part your age. Also, do you have a strict HMO plan with limited doctors you can go to? As you age and start needing specialists, many limit insurance plans. The ones I have seen require PPOs. No HMOs. But as long as you have any doctor you might need in your plan, then yes, you've hit the health insurance lottery.

Do you work for yourself or someone else? Prices rice as you age.

Not the PP. I read it to mean he is self-employed. Also, he might have a lower income, which makes a big difference in Obamacare.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I never understand these posts. I pay $155/month for a high-deductible plan for one person, up from $135/month last year. It is a high-deductible plan ($10,000 deductible) but I'm 42, rarely use it for anything other than a physical and some bloodwork, and save for this in my HSA. It was a pre-Obamacare plan that was grandfathered in, so I know I got something of a good deal.

But I am planning for early retirement and don't see healthcare as some huge obstacle to this, as others seem to. Serious questions here:

1) Did I just win the lottery with my health plan?

2) Do prices go up that much as you get older?

3) Am I just unusually healthy? I've calculated that even if I developed some serious condition and had to pay the $10K out-of-pocket max every year, I could easily swing that.

4) What else am I overlooking?? I just don't see healthcare as the huge obstacle that others do.

In part your age. Also, do you have a strict HMO plan with limited doctors you can go to? As you age and start needing specialists, many limit insurance plans. The ones I have seen require PPOs. No HMOs. But as long as you have any doctor you might need in your plan, then yes, you've hit the health insurance lottery.

Thanks for the feedback. It is an HMO but since I have rarely needed to see a specialist, I haven't encountered any limitations yet. Maybe that's the issue though. But since pre-existing conditions are no longer a factor in enrolling in a new plan, can't I just keep this plan as long as it suits my needs and then switch if/when I notice a problem?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I never understand these posts. I pay $155/month for a high-deductible plan for one person, up from $135/month last year. It is a high-deductible plan ($10,000 deductible) but I'm 42, rarely use it for anything other than a physical and some bloodwork, and save for this in my HSA. It was a pre-Obamacare plan that was grandfathered in, so I know I got something of a good deal.

But I am planning for early retirement and don't see healthcare as some huge obstacle to this, as others seem to. Serious questions here:

1) Did I just win the lottery with my health plan?

2) Do prices go up that much as you get older?

3) Am I just unusually healthy? I've calculated that even if I developed some serious condition and had to pay the $10K out-of-pocket max every year, I could easily swing that.

4) What else am I overlooking?? I just don't see healthcare as the huge obstacle that others do.

In part your age. Also, do you have a strict HMO plan with limited doctors you can go to? As you age and start needing specialists, many limit insurance plans. The ones I have seen require PPOs. No HMOs. But as long as you have any doctor you might need in your plan, then yes, you've hit the health insurance lottery.

Do you work for yourself or someone else? Prices rice as you age.

Not the PP. I read it to mean he is self-employed. Also, he might have a lower income, which makes a big difference in Obamacare.

I'm the PP who asked. Yes, I'm self-employed. However, it was a pre-Obamacare plan (i.e., not purchased through the exchanges), so I don't think income was a factor.

I certainly was low-income when I first bought the plan circa 2006, though I'm not now.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I never understand these posts. I pay $155/month for a high-deductible plan for one person, up from $135/month last year. It is a high-deductible plan ($10,000 deductible) but I'm 42, rarely use it for anything other than a physical and some bloodwork, and save for this in my HSA. It was a pre-Obamacare plan that was grandfathered in, so I know I got something of a good deal.

But I am planning for early retirement and don't see healthcare as some huge obstacle to this, as others seem to. Serious questions here:

1) Did I just win the lottery with my health plan?

2) Do prices go up that much as you get older?

3) Am I just unusually healthy? I've calculated that even if I developed some serious condition and had to pay the $10K out-of-pocket max every year, I could easily swing that.

4) What else am I overlooking?? I just don't see healthcare as the huge obstacle that others do.

In part your age. Also, do you have a strict HMO plan with limited doctors you can go to? As you age and start needing specialists, many limit insurance plans. The ones I have seen require PPOs. No HMOs. But as long as you have any doctor you might need in your plan, then yes, you've hit the health insurance lottery.

Do you work for yourself or someone else? Prices rice as you age.

Not the PP. I read it to mean he is self-employed. Also, he might have a lower income, which makes a big difference in Obamacare.

I'm the PP who asked. Yes, I'm self-employed. However, it was a pre-Obamacare plan (i.e., not purchased through the exchanges), so I don't think income was a factor.

I certainly was low-income when I first bought the plan circa 2006, though I'm not now.

Your pre ACA plan may not cover everything and have a lifetime cap max. You might want to double check how your insurance really works regarding this because one can easily reach the lifetime cap with a serious illness like cancer.

Also, as you age, you will have more health issues.

[Anonymous]

64 yo male in Northern VA. Pay $427/mo for a high deductible plan $10000, they do give me a $5000 credit if I don't reach the limit in one year. Basically I pay a fee for every service, and as you age, your health issues emerge. I like my Dr. but I'll like Medicare more in 9 months. It was a grandfathered plan also. Golden Rule.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I never understand these posts. I pay $155/month for a high-deductible plan for one person, up from $135/month last year. It is a high-deductible plan ($10,000 deductible) but I'm 42, rarely use it for anything other than a physical and some bloodwork, and save for this in my HSA. It was a pre-Obamacare plan that was grandfathered in, so I know I got something of a good deal.

But I am planning for early retirement and don't see healthcare as some huge obstacle to this, as others seem to. Serious questions here:

1) Did I just win the lottery with my health plan?

2) Do prices go up that much as you get older?

3) Am I just unusually healthy? I've calculated that even if I developed some serious condition and had to pay the $10K out-of-pocket max every year, I could easily swing that.

4) What else am I overlooking?? I just don't see healthcare as the huge obstacle that others do.

In part your age. Also, do you have a strict HMO plan with limited doctors you can go to? As you age and start needing specialists, many limit insurance plans. The ones I have seen require PPOs. No HMOs. But as long as you have any doctor you might need in your plan, then yes, you've hit the health insurance lottery.

Do you work for yourself or someone else? Prices rice as you age.

Not the PP. I read it to mean he is self-employed. Also, he might have a lower income, which makes a big difference in Obamacare.

I'm the PP who asked. Yes, I'm self-employed. However, it was a pre-Obamacare plan (i.e., not purchased through the exchanges), so I don't think income was a factor.

I certainly was low-income when I first bought the plan circa 2006, though I'm not now.

Your pre ACA plan may not cover everything and have a lifetime cap max. You might want to double check how your insurance really works regarding this because one can easily reach the lifetime cap with a serious illness like cancer.

Also, as you age, you will have more health issues.

Answering PP's question up-thread. I don't know the answer if it is fine to keep the plan you have and upgrade later, because I don't know the details of your plan. The way to know is what this PP is saying. You need to understand the limits of your plan, ie: how much they will pay out if something does happen.

My plan has an out-of-pocket limit that I pay, not that they pay. What you don't want it to have something terrible happen and your current plan has a limit, then in the middle of treatment trying to find new insurance.