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| Don’t delay unpleasant or costly tests or procedures. Again, if you question the need for a particular test or procedure get a second opinion. Nobody likes six foot tubes being pushed into places where the sun never shines, but it may save your life some day, so grin and bear it (no pun intended). Both you and your spouse need to be realistic when looking ahead. If either of you have a chronic medical condition that is likely to result in long term health deterioration, plan for it now. Don’t put yourselves in a position that does not allow you to meet evolving health issues. Pick your retirement location carefully. Often it is prudent to be located near a medium or large metropolitan center. This will usually give you more options in terms of medical specialists or medical facilities. Your health may also determine the type of living accommodations you will select. For instance, restricted mobility may mean you are limited to single floor residences. The need for specialized care may dictate living in an assisted care facility. Who Is Going To Pay? - Probably You Health care costs are rising at an alarming rate, and senior citizens are feeling the pain. Only the lucky few have health care benefits that they are not paying for themselves. And even those that do can’t be sure their health care retirement benefits will continue. Ask a retired auto worker or airline flight attendant how precarious retirement benefits can be. Private, full coverage health plans are quickly becoming out of reach to most retired persons. Realistically, most retired persons are going to be dependent on Medicare for their health care coverage. You need to spend some time understanding what your options are. It’s more than likely you are going to want so called “gap insurance” to supplement the standard Medicare coverage. The rules for switching from private programs to Medicare are important to understand as a mistake can end up costing you some big penalties. The latest drug care program is so complicated it’s almost impossible to figure out exactly what to do. Spend some time to read and understand all you can before making any decisions. A good place to start is at the official government website. You might want to consider getting some professional advice as well. Most medical insurance companies have people who understand the complexities of the issue, so they can be a source. Check your local business directory. In some areas, there are companies that specialize in helping you select the appropriate coverage. A word of advice here; prices for standard “gap” coverage are regulated, so the major task is selecting the plan that is best for you, and then deciding which insurance company you want to use. |
