Hi Skip,

Skip Gundlach wrote:


Back to health care, though, pre-existing conditions are rightly
excluded in new policies, other than a group which, of course, will
evaluate the members before quoting.

Pre-existing conditions are not excluded in COBRA coverage. Also part
of the COBRA legislation is a requirement for all insurers who sell
health insurance, in any market of interest, must also offer a
"Portability" plan. These plans offer variable deductibles and
coverages, like most plans, but are not allowed to exclude any
pre-existing conditions. They are more expensive - naturally - but if
you can't make through underwriting (quite likely in your case - I can't
either, and have no heart issues) this is your one sure-fire option.
You can only get these plans after COBRA coverage is exhausted, and you
have a limited time in which to purchase (63 days IIRC).

In our case, had we not had
coverage, in this past year, we'd have had to come up with (assuming we
were able to negotiate the same amounts paid by BCBS, not a given at
all) over 40K- but if forced to pay the billed amounts, over 200K.

We have portability coverage through BCBS, in Arizona, and it's $17K for
both of use (we're both 50) with a $5K deductible each, and a max out of
pocket of $9K each. It's also a PPO plan, with prescription coverage, so
preventive medical is quite reasonable - even if the premiums aren't :-)

Back to the particular response, it would be a good topic to spin off
(don't hijack this thread) to discuss cat policies' experience, as it's
another option I'm sure many have considered and/or done. I'm still
leaning toward going bare, but haven't enough experience with these
stents to know what I think about the advisability of that course.
Even if we keep the Cobra, it will expire in ~16 months, so we'll have
to face that question then if we've not first resolved it.

So, back to the question: Who's done it bare (or maybe with a
ridiculously cheap, ridiculously high deductible, policy equating to
bare until 25K OOP or something similar), and what have been the
experiences?

I don't believe you'll find *anything* ridiculously cheap, irrespective
of the deductible amount. Certainly not in my experience. *Many* people
will "sell" you a health policy, and collect premiums from you, only to
deny you coverage once the policy goes into underwriting. BTDT ('course
the premiums are refunded - months later). I'd suggest you find a
policy you think meets your needs and risk level (while still on COBRA)
then apply for it. You may find, as I did, that anyone with any medical
history to speak of is uninsurable these days. As for the portability
plans, insurance companies won't even tell you they exist unless you
specifically ask for one - they don't want to sell policies to people
who may need them :-)

As for going bare; why would anyone else's experience matter?
Seriously, it's an individual gamble, based on individual risks, and
everyone's is different. Could you foot another $200K or $300K bill if
you had too? If so, then maybe that's a feasible way to go. Good luck
'n happy cruisin!

Keith Hughes