The Russell Insurance Agency ensures that you are informed about your insurance choices.

Healthcare Facts Every Retiree Should Know:

The days of retirees enjoying free healthcare for life from their employers are gone and we are left with a healthcare landscape that poses some serious issues for retirees. The Baby Boomer generation is one of the most populated generations in recent history and there will be a need for Baby Boomers to get their health insurance in place if they want to enjoy their golden years.

It is important to remember that you do have options when it comes to your health insurance during retirement, and you should start exploring those options before your last day of work. The more prepared you are to handle your retirement needs, the easier it will be to sit on the beach and watch the world go by.

COBRA Can Help With The Transition:
COBRA stands for the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act and it essentially says that you should be offered coverage from your employer’s health insurance plan for 18 months after you retire. It sounds great, but you will have to pay full premiums for those 18 months, and that can get extremely expensive.

If you reach 65 before the 18 months is up, your employer can legally start pushing you towards Medicare or another plan. It is best to not rely on your employer for your long-term health insurance needs, unless you have an agreement that provides for health insurance coverage after you retire.

Medicaid Is A Good, Low-Income Option:
If you are not quite 65 when you retire, or your income is too low for you to be able to afford the COBRA option, then look into Medicaid. The Medicaid program offers coverage to low-income people who cannot afford regular insurance. But keep in mind that the Affordable Care Act has changed just about everything in the health insurance landscape and your state’s Medicaid options may have changed.

You may be able to get great coverage at an affordable price from Medicare, but what if you are retiring before you are 65? Instead of paying the full premium on your employer’s health plan through COBRA, you can check the federal insurance exchange to see if there are less expensive options. When you get ready to retire, you need to figure out your health insurance situation to make sure that you and your spouse are fully covered. It is important to closely read all of the information available to you about health insurance after retirement and make the right decision for your situation.

We service all of Central New York and will always go to those individuals home that are in need of assistance.

Contact our office to find out which plan best fits your needs. Phone: 800-763-1406