Replies

One visit to an Emergency room can cost in the thousands.

Why is that? (The answer to that question may solve a lot of the financial issue here.)

BTW, my wife and I are 63. We have no health care insurance. We pray every day that the Great Physician (The Lord) keeps us healthy until we die. He is faithful.

When you turn 65 and get Medicare - get the Medigap Policy Plan "F". Any group that carries Medigap Policies is REQUIRED BY LAW TO OFFER THE "F" PLAN. They will try to talk you out of it... they'll imply that it might be going away - they'll tell you their OWN MOTHER has a different policy.

Don't believe them.

Everyone I know who has the "F" plan has not paid one dime in doctor or hospital care since they got it. For some people that's been YEARS. The "F" Plan has no deductibles, no co-pays, no nothing. You can pick any doctor you want and there are no referrals needed. It costs about $190 a month...

Here's the catch: You have to buy it within three months of turning 65. Any time after than and they can ask for medical tests - or just flat out refuse you for any reason. The other 'catch' is insurance companies MUST meet all the requirement for a Plan F (Medigap Plan F) to offer it ... BUT EACH COMPANY CAN CHARGE DIFFERENT AMOUNTS FOR THE EXACT SAME PLAN.

CALL AROUND FOR THE BEST PRICE.

THE PRICE VARIED WILDLY AMONG COMPANIES... BY OVER $60 A MONTH. Go with the cheapest company because THE LAW requires all companies to carry the same minimum... it must be the same plan... also go with the plan that only goes up in price if the whole group goes up ...NOT the plan that goes up in price as you age.

As far as emergency rooms are concerned they charge a fortune because when people don't pay they can write it off their taxes. In short - we the taxpayers basically get screwed...