I know exactly what BG is talking about, and have heard the same from others who are seeking healthcare options–especially those who are 50+.
Under the current system, you are no longer given the option to be personally evaluated for your individual healthcare needs and awarded premiums that correspond to your individual health situation. You are in the same pool as the extremely ill in your age group, and must pay exorbitantly whether the terms apply to you or not.
We happen to have employer based coverage that will extend to retirement whenever I fully retire, but, as BG and I have previously discussed, that is now a rarity, and many who find themselves at 50+ seeking healthcare coverage may need to be prepared to spend a small fortune until Medicare kicks in.
Even then, with Medicare, Medigap, etc. financial experts still estimate a couple will need to budget around $250K to cover insurance costs from age 65 for the balance of their lifetimes whether they are ill nor not.
