HELP: Elder parents need health care/insurance?

Question

Ok, my parents (dad 60 mom 50) are thinking of quitting their jobs in MI and moving out to CA to be close to me. So, my biggest fear is that they will need health insurance and won't be able to qualify or find it. How do I make sure they are taken care of in that department?

My aprents have no idea what to do about health insurance all they know if that they want to be close to me. I am very scared that if they make the move they won't be able to get coverage or help with insurance and then smth will happen and I won't know how to help. They can't afford to purchase private help insurance and I can't afford to help them pay for it. :(

Answer 1

If they can't afford to pay for private health insurance, quitting their job is silly. Sounds like they need a financial planner.

Answer 2

I had to retire this year due to my health. I kept the health insurance I had at my last job which costs me almost $400/mo. When it expires next Aug. I won't be able to afford individual health insurance. I just recently called my county hospital and was told that if I qualify I can get in their healtlh network and get a discount on services. This is what I plan to do when the time comes. It may not be much, but it's better than nothing. Good luck and hope this helps you.

Answer 3

They need to look at groups like AARP for insurance.
They aren't old enough to be considered seniors, they fall into a gap in age between 50-65 where insurance is extremely expensive even if they are perfectly healthy, thin as a rail and have never been ill.
You can't even contact an office for the aging as they wouldn't qualify.
But they are adults, and they will have to see about that themselves. I'm sixty, and I can tell you that we aren't feeble minded at that age.
Talk to them about it, they may have some carry over insurance from work, or possibly they can afford private coverage.

Answer 4

Are they members of AARP? They have a website and maybe there you can get info about senior health coverage. California has all those health care plans for kids and "seniors". Medicare and so forth, I'm sure you will be able to find the coverage they need. Google senior health care insurance and see what all those sites offer. Don't you have insurance at work? Ask your representative if the company has coverage for family members that wouldn't be on your premium.

Answer 5

They will be able to get it, but will they be able to afford it? That is the question.

Each state has its own laws regarding whether the state has a high risk pool that you cannot be turned down for, or the health companies that do business there will write them. Their best bet would be for one of them to find employment in CA that offers health benefits.

Answer 6

quitting, not retiring... PROBABLY not the smartest move, unless they want to pay for their own insurance. You won't be able to cover them under your policy. this is a risky move at their age. I'd have a real "sit down" with them and find out why they want to move. I don't think you are AGAINST the move, its just the timing seems rather awkward.

Answer 7

Does Saga stretch that far?
They do extended years insurance for us wrinklies in the UK.
We also have an outfit called "Age Concern" - anything like that which could advise you?
At 50 & 60, they're just youngsters!

Answer 8

They should apply for the insurance in CA now before quitting. I can tell you that if they have any major problems, are obese, smoke or have diabetes, their chances are almost nil to get insurance individually.

Answer 9

I would think they have put some thought into this themselves.