A good friend has some "Obama Care" coverage for self & DH. Because of their income, it's under $100 a month! She actually has to claim income above actual on their taxes to qualify -- DH is independent contractor, so they just claim work income not actually done. Since he has had cancer for over a year, they CANNOT let insurance lapse. My daughter is covered by same for $39 a month. Her 16 y/o daughter is covered by a state paid program for kids within qualified income families. You learn the rules & play the game! Our tax dollars pay for these programs, use them. None of us qualify for any food assistance -- that's fine we eat well!
ANYHOW ---- Bay, have you (& FEM) checked into those avenues for coverage? My state has just announced the expansion of the Federal Medicaid coverages within the state as they get more $$ from the Affordable Care Act. While this was never available for single adults with no dependent children, it is now becoming so. Plus you can get it even tho you have Medicare (that's $133 a month) and wile it becomes the secondary you can get RX & co-pays covered well by having this -- it would be similar to a medigap situation. I have more income right now than I can to qualify but, when I cut back, it can work for me. Obviously I am not looking for more than a back up for anything I might later encounter. At the lower income the premiums are often zero, or very low.
I went without any medical coverage for 11 or 12 years, until Medicare cut in @65. I've had that for almost 8 years now and never used it. I'm 73 in Jan. Very thankful for excellent health but, never know when a Mac Truck will hit ya!! These are some of the critical things we look for when we "retire"....where to get $$ for such things, especially if you have a "continuing" medical problems to treat.
By watching your earnings income, SS can be totally free of tax, Fed & most States. I claim a senior RE Tax discount offered in my county -- NOT one that tallies & requires later pay, just a discount based on a % of tax dependent on income. I get the max, $1,000. based on under $27,800 in and % of tax that would be due. It amounts to almost 1/2 of my tax bill!
They require copy of taxes filed but, hey -- OK! None of the egg, lamb, pork, veggie $$ ever shows up. Not that it is substantial but, could put you over the mark.
I'm sure you all do/know most of these things but, it all helps decide what to do & when, & where there may be a better price found. Like the dead meat case at the grocery!
It's like a garden, fresh eggs, milk, cheese, cream, meat -- farm raised and cost effective to add to our own well being & budget $$. Retirement is scary.
It's good to get it all sorted and fixed (as much as possible) now, while he's working and got the insurance.
Hang in there you two.
