How to find private health insurance?

[left210]

My MIL carries the insurance for her family. She would like to retire and/or go PT; however, she carries the insurance for herself and husband so they will need to find private health insurance. The problem is my FIL is currently treating for cancer. So is there any insurance companies who would accept him and can anyone offer any recommendations?

 

[kiki02]

My MIL carries the insurance for her family. She would like to retire and/or go PT; however, she carries the insurance for herself and husband so they will need to find private health insurance. The problem is my FIL is currently treating for cancer. So is there any insurance companies who would accept him and can anyone offer any recommendations?

Doesn't the 'new' healthcare act , beginning 2014, accept all individuals regardless of prior condition?

GL, RECENTly did bunch of work on this, but had no prior conditions. pm me if you need advice on companies where we live.

 

[left210]

Doesn't the 'new' healthcare act , beginning 2014, accept all individuals regardless of prior condition?

GL, RECENTly did bunch of work on this, but had no prior conditions. pm me if you need advice on companies where we live.

I am not sure about the new healthcare act. I will have to check into that. We are in Indiana. Would love to hear about any recommendations on companies.

 

[chimilady]

Nothing that will be remotely affordable. I think your MIL needs to stay put until his cancer treatments are over.

 

[PatsMom]

If he has no break in coverage, he will be accepted by a new carrier. The issues arise when you drop one coverage and then start looking for new. Then they can look at pre-existing conditions. If your MIL resigns, they should be able to keep coverage under COBRA. Depending on what her employer subsidy is, it could seem expensive. But she will be losing the subsidy no matter where she goes for coverage.

Check with your state insurance board to see who writes individual coverage in your state to see who else she might want to shop with. Since they know they will have ongoing expenses, looking at high deductible health plans probably doesn't make sense so that will shorten the shopping list.

Good luck to your FIL dealing with his cancer. Not an easy road.

 

[disfan07]

Until 2014 no insurance company HAS to accept them. And most likely if they do, they will not cover anything related to the cancer diagnosis or anything they deem related to the cancer diagnosis which IMO makes it essentially worthless.

So basically, right now, they MIGHT find someone to accept them but the rates will be sky high and will probably not cover cancer treatments at least not until the new law comes into play.

Once 2014 hits, insurance companies cannot deny coverage for ore existing conditions and they cannot raise rates for those with ore existing conditions.

I have 7 per existing conditions and only have 2 years left on my dads insurance....we've done a lot of research about this.

Basically, IMO, I would advise her that the best thing would probably be for her to stay put until the beginning of next year. Once 2014 hits they will be able to get insurance through the private market (and if they qualify, there will be subsidies to help) but until then, it's not something I would try to do.

Good luck.

 

[disneymom2003]

IF she can get insurance it will be VERY expensive. I know. I had to get private insurance recently. Good luck

 

[cndij]

Hate to dash your hopes, but the Cobra as expensive as it is, would be her best bet, and I actually wouldn't even do that unless, he will be able to get Medicare before the 18 months of Cobra runs out. Just an example, my sister closed down a family run business, and tried to find an insurance policy on herself. Her ONLY health problem was she was about 100 pounds overweight, cholesterol, blood pressure everything else was perfect. Out of 6 companies she tried 5 outright denied to even quote her, the 6th one, was $1200 a month with a $5000 deductible. So she went without for 2 years while she went back to school to finish her paralegal degree and got a job with benefits. It was risky, but like I said she didn't have any other health problems and fortunately nothing happened during that time.

 

[danygirl]

Can she take a leave of absence and still buy insurance from her company!