Taking the plunge with non ACA health insurance

I thought the penalty was removed last year?
I agree there is nothing affordable about any of the health care out there.
It's cheaper for me to pay the penalty and just pay out of the pocket, if something bad happens, than it's bankruptcy.

 

It's now gone.

 

I know some folks that have “divorced” for this reason. Tho they are still committed to each other as ever.

 

I don't want to like your posts wildwest , that's a terrible situation to be in. The costs are the same as a mortgage. And you don't get much for that kind of money. Maybe you should go down to Mexico and sneak back into the country, then you can get free healthcare, so sad.

 

Take the monthly premium and invest it in a solid return account where you can make money on it and obtain it when needed. If nothing else, put it in short term CDs and keep rolling them over.

Wow, $64K I would be living the life of Riley. I know that I have a secure home as long as I can pay the taxes; we never own anything in this world if it is taxed; don't pay property tax and the land you own is gone. However, why is it that I can live a comfortable life; yes, I don't travel, my transport is 20 years old, I don't dine out at all, I live in a Doublewide instead of a huge house, I don't have an iPhone, I don't buy new clothes; I shop at Salvation Army and Goodwill for my clothes, and in the summer I sweat instead of running ACs. However, overall my life is comfortable and content. I garden and raise flowers that give me joy; I raise a garden for food, I preserve; I made some pear relish from pears out of the back garden pear tree, so I have food, it may not be gourmet food but it fills my stomach and is nutritious. I have decent clothes, true they were once own by someone else but washed who cares? I don't know, it is a funny world.

 

Overall, the ACA was worthless. The only reason the Democrats yelled; and I am sorry for making it political but this is a heavily political world today, is that many of the ones that vote for Democrats now see the ACA as an entitlement because of the subsidies. Me, I didn't make enough money to get a free worthless Bronze plan with high copays and deductibles. BIL just got a huge hospital bill and he has ACA insurance. LOL

 

The idea here is that you simply save up the money you may need for health care expenses in the future. You can afford to just pay out of pocket for checkups; the only thing about the ACA is the free yearly checkup. You can get the basic monitors for blood pressure and glucose and check that yourself to see how they are. And if you want blood work done, that is about $80; depending on what you ask to be checked.

 

At the rate without the dental that is $16.200 you can put in a CD per year that will make some money; the banking system is another area where they shaft people. Money Markets are better but you want to invest in a risk free area. Anyway, if you just banked the money that $16 k the first year, then you have 32 k the second, $48 the third; you can see that in just a short time you may have the money to even cover a major surgery; especially if you are getting a return on this money as it sits waiting to be used.
To get an idea: Gastric Bypass Surgery costs typically are within the range between $20,000 to $35,000 per surgery. So you would have close to that in the first year.

 

sad indeed!
unfortunately, as you know, there's no such thing as free...




the only way for someone to get free anything (health care in this case) is for a working person to give up that money first. (penalty, tax , fine.)

 

So happy to have employer insurance. It's not bad, but I supplement it with AFLAC and an HSA.

Just imagine how expensive all this would be if it were the Gov being billed instead of an insurance company. We pay more per capita for our health services than does anyone in the world. Did you ever feel like you got the best service in the world when using our healthcare industry?

Sorry for your situation WW. I don't think I've heard one positive experience about the ACA from those who are on it. Subsidizing seems to punish those who pay their own way and reward those who do not.

 

I know one person happy with his experience on the exchange. Our bachelor neighbor up north pays under $100 per month for great coverage, both medial and dental. He retired from his job as an accountant at age 60 with well over 1 million in assets including annuities and a stock portfolio, but lives on a budget that allows him to get the subsidies. His co-pays are minimal...last time I asked $3. I guess total assets are not looked at, only income from what I understand talking to him.

He has minimal expenses as almost everything is paid for, including home, and he lives a simple, but not spartan lifestyle. He seems to eat well, enjoy modest trips, including regular fishing trips to Canada, and to visit family here and there.

I think in addition to his assets he stocked up on a lot of cash off the books...enough to supplement his lifestyle until he takes his SS. But I am not sure about that as I am assuming he has not taken SS being he is now just turning 63.

My wife and I have been temped from time to time to just retire now, pay off everything , move to our cabin, and get the subsidies while earning under the maximum income for couples. For now we are both happy to have good insurance through our jobs and really can't just up and leave now with aging parents.

 

wildwest the secret to this just so you know is to have high assets and low income..

I know several in area that are millionaires and are living in low-income senior housing.. their income is just Social Security and small pensions, and the program is income-based. 401k and assets are not counted..

 

I wish I had more details now for you wildwest. I don't know if it would help your situation.

He told me they don't look at assets, only income. I think he said he has to take less than a certain amount of money from his assets per year to qualify. He seems to be totally above board, but like I said I think he may have stashed some cold hard cash for things that come up. I don't think that would be illegal, but I now know why the government would like to abolish paper money.

I know his coverage is very good.

DB101 Minnesota - Home

Not sure what to make of it as I haven't had any time to study into it, but here is the link to MNSure.

 

What does your dentist charge for a cleaning if you pay cash.. Here 110, if dentist looks at you. 85 for hygienist only seems seems cheaper than insurance

Eyeglasses call your local lions club. Most will have a camera that takes pictures of eyes and give you a detailed prescription if glasses are needed order online.
I think camera is 10 grand but we have 8 in our state and guy showing it too us was an ophthalmologist?? A real eye doctor.. He said it faster cheaper and easier on kids over 5.