ACK! Health Insurance Up $250 A Month!! Can They Do This? - RV-Dreams Community Forum

TxYellowRose · RV-Dreams Family Member

ACK! Health Insurance Up $250 A Month!! Can They Do This?

Bill Adams · RV-Dreams Family Member

We made the mistake of sending a TX address to our insurance company. We remain FL residents but wanted to use the TX address for mailing. Our premium nearly doubled as they had had our account registered in MO (or previous mailing address). I took almost a month to get things fixed and we ended up with the higher FL premiums but not the sky high TX premiums. Not sure what it is about TX but you don't want to get health care there!

Racerguy · RV-Dreams Family Member

We studied the heck out of costs when we went full time and kept our Colorado residency. The cost to be a Texan is not the good deal it's made out to be sometimes.

Dan and Gail · RV-Dreams Family Member

Like Racerguy, we did a TON of research on ALL insurance. We lived in Illinois, about 6 miles from Springfield, the state capital. But when we changed our address to our daughter's, which is a rural area, they live on a farm, about 20 miles from any large town, all of our insurance premiums decreased. We are on Medicare with a supplemental insurance and don't have any chronic health issues, so we really shop around for our supplemental insurance. We changed from Blue Cross/Blue Shield to Mutual of Omaha this year and changed the plan and are saving about $50 per month for each of us.

You really have to do your homework when it comes to insurance.

I checked out Texas several years ago and decided NO WAY.

And since we'll be visiting our daughter from time to time, we can renew our license as we pass through.

Sure hoping you can get some resolution to this. Best of luck.

Gail

TxYellowRose · RV-Dreams Family Member

We were already residents of TX, so just remained that way. The rate hike came with changing counties in TX. To me, this is another example of what's ailing our country. So now I'm shopping insurance again.

Terry and Jo · RV-Dreams Family Member

Betty,

I've seen rates change to lower prices when we moved from a county with a large metropolitan city (Oklahoma City) to one of the surrounding counties with more rural and agricultural bases. So, your experience doesn't really come as a surprise. While Jo and I are currently Oklahoma residents, when it comes time for us to start traveling, I'll be doing more research.

Another state with advantages for full-timers is South Dakota. Now, it that ain't "rural" I don't know what would be. However, I have no clue as to what their rates would be.

Also, look into a group called Generation America. There is not any minimum age with them, but they claim to offer about the same as AARP. For my way of thinking, AARP no longer represents the older class as they do represent themselves as an insurance company. I think that is one of the reasons they really supported the health care bill. They saw it as a way to open up a whole new customer base.

Good luck with it all.

Terry

The Hensons · RV-Dreams Family Member

Dan and Gail...I would venture a guess that you changed to Mutual of Omaha's Medigap plan N to get your premium down $50/mo...a good choice.

And, yes, it is true that health insurance premiums trend lower in rural areas and states. Medicare supplement plans are about 30% lower in SD than they are in more populated states. Livingston, TX rates are lower than average as well, though.

But, it doesn't sound like Betty is talking about Medicare supplement insurance. Unfortunately, Aetna is within their rights to change premiums based on residency changes. Why don't you look into changing companies, Betty? You might find a better rate with another carrier now that you have a new address.

-- Edited by The Hensons on Friday 15th of April 2011 08:00:57 AM

Kendall · RV-Dreams Family Member

This has been very interesting for me to read. I am going to have to get an additional policy in July along with medicare. I am so confused about how to get started. I live in south Florida and have been told that I should go with AARP.

I will be out of the state when I apply, so I guess I can do all of this by phone.

53 Merc · RV-Dreams Family Member

Run, don't walk away from AARP. Instead, go to an agent you trust (or is recommended) and have them do the research based on you history and needs. A GOOD agent can save you a ton of money. However, a BAD agent is like a nightmare, only sells what makes them the most money, hence the comment about one you trust or is recommended.

The Hensons · RV-Dreams Family Member

Linda,

I would be happy to run some comparison quotes for you if you want to contact me. I have access to a nationwide "quote engine" for Medicare supplement insurance. You can send me a Private Message with your FL zipcode if you like or you can call me at 1-866-591-4909. "53 Merc" is right that you need an agent that can give you unbiased comparisons...which is what I do.

I will do this without any expectation of being your agent. I am on here as an RVer first and foremost. It just so happens my business fits in with many folks who full time.

Kyle

-- Edited by The Hensons on Friday 15th of April 2011 05:47:58 PM

snowman8 · RV-Dreams Family Member

Here is my ; we get AARP ads and I dump them. I know a lot of you are members, and I know that "politics" is frowned upon here. So, without pointing fingers....AARP is a business, the day they supported healthcare reform, I knew I NEVER wanted to be associated with AARP. Years ago my mother was discussing with me what she had to cover the "gap" in her coverage. Yeah, I paid attention to my mom.....that gave me the insight that nothing good was going to come from healthcare reform. Even Federal employees/annuitants are not exempt. I had to switch from Kaiser when we retired and moved. THANK GOD! Kaiser is through the roof. But I had to change plans and I think if you want to keep your costs down for now you're going to have to "shop" plans.

I don't care "what" AARP says they do, the bottom line is they are a "business" and they are going to make money off of you. Any business who, through smoke and mirrors, benefits from the healthcare debacle to me is comparible to an insider trading violator.

If you want to see premiums come down, then tell your Senator to revise the law to allow for accross state purchases. Personally, I hate "Obamacare", mostly, because of the way it was handled. I endured the 7-hour televised "lovefest" (debate), it was Bovine Excrement! I say take from it what works and is revenue neutral, and build it into a new law and scrap this one. Nobody is going to go without healthcare. Costs HAVE TO come down.

Just my .......

Luvglass · RV-Dreams Family Member

If you know "politics" is frowned on here, then why do you post a "political" comment?????????????????

snowman8 · RV-Dreams Family Member

Fred,

My comment was aimed at AARP's professional ethics or lack thereof. Advising members to contact their legislator to voice their issues on how any healthcare program is affecting them is not political, it is everyone's right to share concerns to their elected officials. If that came though as political to this forum, then I apoligize.

I will stop at that, anything else I have to say would be getting too "political". confuse