Private health insurance

Parent Cafe
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<p>OK, I have never actually lived in the US except 20-some years ago for a year or two on academic exchange.</p>

<p>But I have right of residence without any hassle of applying for immigration status, and considering moving to US fairly soon.</p>

<p>Everyone hears all the scary stories about US-health care costs and availability.</p>

<p>If I am there as a 50-ish self-employed person, is it easy to get and maintain decent health insurance? What sort of pre-existing conditions would disqualify you from getting insurance? Can the insurer cancel on you if you end up ending too sick? Does the cost escalate to an ridiculous level with increasing age?</p>

<p>Any ballpark guess at monthly cost for a couple, early 50’s in good health say in Massachusetts?</p>

<p>Thanks for any comments.</p>

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<p>Massachusetts has a health plan sponsored by the state. It gets trashed a lot in the press, but a friend of mine–50ish, self-employed–says it has been wonderful for him. That’s just one data point, but I think if you google/bing Massachusetts state individual (as opposed to group) health plan, you’ll be able to find the information you need.</p>

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<p>I am self insured (have been for years) with Blue Cross, no annual deductible & $40 copay, generic Rx at $10. It costs me around $280 a month. I live in CA and am over 50. I’m happy with the plan.</p>