The recent trend in HDHPs has definitely made me restrict some of my healthcare, at times when I shouldn't have. The first 6 months of the year are always a bit breathtaking for me. I always thought going on Medicare would lighten that load, but I'm thinking maybe not.
What scares me the most are the guesstimates that suggest the average retiree will pay approximately $250,000 in healthcare expenses. And that is WITH Medicare insurance. Right now that would take 1/3 of what I've saved for retirement! Yikes.
VFJ - 9 years ago
Yes. 2 years ago I was working part-time to take care of our 2 young children. My son is special needs and had physical therapy appointments once a week. With our high deductible, we were in the hole $1,500+ very quickly. That was a lot of money on our income. We are still paying that bill off, but it is much easier now that I am working full-time again. The overly aggressive collection practices of the non-profit health system we went to is another story. Knowing what I know now, we probably could have qualified for assistance through the health system, but never once were we told of those programs.
Canuck - 9 years ago
I'm Canadian -- we pay higher taxes, but then the government foots the bill for our medical care.
Deborah Kohn - 9 years ago
If the date had been in the past 3 years, ABSOLUTELY. But exactly two years ago I turned 65 and received the nicest birthday card from my Uncle Sam.
The recent trend in HDHPs has definitely made me restrict some of my healthcare, at times when I shouldn't have. The first 6 months of the year are always a bit breathtaking for me. I always thought going on Medicare would lighten that load, but I'm thinking maybe not.
What scares me the most are the guesstimates that suggest the average retiree will pay approximately $250,000 in healthcare expenses. And that is WITH Medicare insurance. Right now that would take 1/3 of what I've saved for retirement! Yikes.
Yes. 2 years ago I was working part-time to take care of our 2 young children. My son is special needs and had physical therapy appointments once a week. With our high deductible, we were in the hole $1,500+ very quickly. That was a lot of money on our income. We are still paying that bill off, but it is much easier now that I am working full-time again. The overly aggressive collection practices of the non-profit health system we went to is another story. Knowing what I know now, we probably could have qualified for assistance through the health system, but never once were we told of those programs.
I'm Canadian -- we pay higher taxes, but then the government foots the bill for our medical care.
If the date had been in the past 3 years, ABSOLUTELY. But exactly two years ago I turned 65 and received the nicest birthday card from my Uncle Sam.