How expensive is a HIPPA premium with a existing condition kneew /wife hypert/husb?

Question

Will go on Cobra in july 750 dollars per moth for boht of us. Will this double under HIPPA ? I am 62.

Answer 1

You may not need HIPAA, you should contact a local broker that represents multiple carriers and they can help you sort through the options available to you. If you only have HPB and a bad knee, it should not be much of a problem.

Many carriers will let you apply for coverage up to 70 days in advance.

Many companies don't publish the HIPAA rates, but with Anthem Blue Cross the HIPAA rates for age 62, spouse 62 with a $6,000 deductible HSA would be $1,500 per month. (VA) your state may be higher or lower.

If you have a low dedctible the COBRA rates don't sound too bad.

It drives me crazy when I see answers from people who really don't know what they are talking about. At age 62 even in poor health you can get insurance. With controled HBP an Anthem $6,000 deductible HSA would only run $446 per month to cover two 62 year olds. That's $223 each! (VA rates) call a broker in your area.

To qualify for HIPAA rates you have to keep the COBRA until it expires, 18 months. And under HIPAA you can buy any policy it does not have to be a high deductible.

Answer 2

At 62, if you were in perfect health, both of you, you'd be lucky to find ANYONE willing to insure you at $1,000 a month, a piece.  With HIPPA, well, each company can set their own rate, but I'd guess it would be thousands a month.  

$750 a month is really, really cheap for two people.

Answer 3

I'm disappointed in the previous answers.  They didn't get the situation.

Under HIPPA law you can buy a major medical with a high deductible, maybe $2500, for double what that plan would normally cost.  You don't keep the same plan.

Conventional wisdom says for you to apply for an individual policy for both of you right away, instead of COBRA - if you can pass underwriting, which it sounds like you will.   You may get less coveage than you have or not, depending on where you live.  Look in the phone book for an independent agent in your area.

If you can qualify, take it.  If you wait untill Cobra runs out, you may have lost your insurability by then and have to pay double or more.