One of the hardest groups of people to find individual health insurane for in the US are those in middle age. Middle aged people may have developed some health problems, and are not usually eligable for the best rates. On the other hand, they are too young for Medicare which helps older people manage their health insurance costs alot.
It is sort of ironic that middle aged people who seek health insurance are still called "under age". This means that they are still under the normal age for Medicare. So they must purchase full medical insurance coverage on themsevles, and not just a supplement to cover things that Medicare does not cover.
Look at higher deductible health insurance plans. Major medical plans with higher deductibles will cost less, and sometimes, the underwriting guidelines are more relaxed. These plans will stay you from a financial catastrophe if you are ill, but will not pay out on every penny of your health services.
A $5,000 or $10,000 yearly deductible may seem high, but that higher deductible can save thousands of dollars every year on health insurance premiums. And those plans that include a medical provider network, like PPO plans, will help you save money on the medical services you need to pay for out of your own pocket.
Insurance shoppers complain about giving up the benefit of a doctor's copay. But many copays are $40 or $50 these days. If your network discount cuts the doctor's bill in half, you probably will not pay that much for an office visit anyway. And you can save a hundred dollars a month, or more, on your premium!
These days, we have HSA plans (health savings accunts) that work with higher deductible plans. The tax advantaged savings account can be a great way to save money to pay the deductibles. In fact, you can use the money in the savings account to pay for other services, like vision or dental care, that your major medical policy does not even coverage. Many accounts even earn interest on the money too. And if you do not use the money, it keeps rolling over. At retirement age, you can withdraw the money without any tax penalty.
For disciplined savers, and for older people who need to manage health care costs, HSA plans can be a great alternative. You have a lower premium every month, and you also have an interest earning, tax advantaged savings account. You can use the money for out of pocket medical expenses, or you can keep any unused money for retirement.
Some people will have health problems so they cannot qualify for any individual plan. Every US state has a high risk health insurance plan, and you can contact a qualified insurance agent or your state insurance department for more information. You will have to pay for these plans, though, and sometimes they are expensive.
State and local governments also have low income programs. You can look for information about state Medicaid plans or country health programs to see if you qualify. You can also find lists of federally funded health care centers that will provide services on a sliding scale, depending upon income.
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