"Cobra" is a continuation of the employer's medical insurance where the ex-employee gets to pay the cost at the employer's rate (which is NOT the employee's cost when employed). When the Cobra period ends (a time limit) .. they are dropped from the corporate group policy. The former employee gets a BIG shock as to the insurance cost of WHAT they had verses the open market rate .. depending on age, weight, prior health issues, etc.
I paid $1500-1700+ for months after the ACA started .... before ACA, my individual health insurance policy was under $575/monthly ... and no problem getting an office visit for $20.
I spent 16 months COUNTING DOWN to "age" into Medicare. And Medicare is cheaper dollar-wise .. but the US medical providers and services HAVE CHANGED. Play the game of 'hunting' for 'the doctor' you have been seeing last year ... or WHERE are my medical records for my last physical? Or where is the office and the number to call?
Doctor's office NOW morfied into "Walkin-Clinics" which charge MORE than an private doctor's visit did 5 years ago. Listen to their hospital-like services ... generating costs to cover while selling you on Full Service without the visiting the (dreaded) Emergency Room.
I rather wait in a doctor's office and NOT PAY hospital-size bills.
But emergency rooms are NOW the free clinics of yester-year. No insurance, no cash, and bleeding ... get world class treatment and no money needed up front or at checkout. Arrive with sirens blaring ... no wait to see a doctor and no taxis bill plus no tipping permitted.
I paid $1500-1700+ for months after the ACA started .... before ACA, my individual health insurance policy was under $575/monthly ... and no problem getting an office visit for $20.
I spent 16 months COUNTING DOWN to "age" into Medicare. And Medicare is cheaper dollar-wise .. but the US medical providers and services HAVE CHANGED. Play the game of 'hunting' for 'the doctor' you have been seeing last year ... or WHERE are my medical records for my last physical? Or where is the office and the number to call?
Doctor's office NOW morfied into "Walkin-Clinics" which charge MORE than an private doctor's visit did 5 years ago. Listen to their hospital-like services ... generating costs to cover while selling you on Full Service without the visiting the (dreaded) Emergency Room.
I rather wait in a doctor's office and NOT PAY hospital-size bills.
But emergency rooms are NOW the free clinics of yester-year. No insurance, no cash, and bleeding ... get world class treatment and no money needed up front or at checkout. Arrive with sirens blaring ... no wait to see a doctor and no taxis bill plus no tipping permitted.