How much could I spend on cancer medications?

Question

After twenty years of group insurance, I'm trying to pick a suitable individual plan to carry me from where I am now (early 50's) to Medicare. My husband, nearing mid fifties, is looking at early retirement, as well.

We are in good health for people our ages. My husband and I have always remained active, watched our weight, and had preventative wellness care on schedule. We are looking most closely at "disaster" high deductible HSA compatible policies. One of the things that has us stumped is predicting "worst case" scenarios, especially whether or not to get a drug coverage benefit.

How much might we expect to pay for something like a month's worth of cancer treatment drugs? I assume that some are more expensive than others, but does anyone have an idea what the ranges would be?

In lieu of personal experience, does anyone have a good reference site I could use?

Thanks. Health insurance: something I don't want to buy, am happy not to use, but feel foolish trying to skip

Answer 1

Cancer medications can run much higher than $1,000 per month. Some drugs cost as much as $10,000 per month and you could be on more than one drug at a time.

http://www.usatoday.com/news/health/2006...

http://www.usatoday.com/news/health/2004...

Answer 2

20 years of group insurance?

Jeez! How much did *that* cost?

I saved that money (my wife and I are in our 50's too) by going without insurance. We simply paid for our medical care out of pocket.

You feel foolish trying to skip it?

Why do you assume you'll get cancer anyway? Chances and odds are, your husband will simply die of a heart attack and you'll be left a widow.

Playing the odds (that's what insurance is, ya know) I'm sinking my spare (ha!) money into a good life insurance policy to help compensate my wife for her loss when I stroke out and (hopefully) die.

Maybe she'll find a nice young chunk of beefcake to keep with all the $$ she'll have!

What happened to "live for today?" Did we all forget?

Answer 3

It can easily run you $1,000 a month, depending on the type of meds.