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One thing I'll mention for US citizens. Aetna's Mobile Healthcare Plan seems fairly reasonable. I'm paying around $300 a month total for coverage for my partner

One thing I'll mention for US citizens. Aetna's Mobile Healthcare Plan seems fairly reasonable. I'm paying around $300 a month total for coverage for my partner and me (most comprehensive coverage, highest deductible). Apparently it's still valid in the US so long as you spend the simple majority of your time outside of the US (i.e. 6 months abroad). https://www.aetnainternational.com/en/individuals/health-plans/mobile-health-care-plan.html https://www.aetnainternational.com/en/individuals/health-pla...

mysecretaccount 5y ago
Wow, that is extremely reasonable. I'm looking to FIRE in the next year and live >6 months abroad, and as a single person, any amount of coverage for <$300/month is a godsend and will not eat into my retirement significantly.
- LurkingPenguin 5y ago
  The problem you might run into is that if you're not spending at least 330 days out of every 365-day period abroad or, alternatively, don't establish bona fide residence in a foreign country, if you're an American citizen or permanent resident you will still be required to have health insurance that qualifies as minimum essential coverage under the ACA, or pay a penalty. These expat health insurance plans are designed for expats living abroad, not US residents who spend time (even a significant amount) outside of the US each year.
echelon 5y ago
Is there something like this for domestic health insurance (ie. no time abroad)? Is there any risk they would drop you if you or your partner had a major illness or injury?
- js2 5y ago
  An ACA plan + Federal tax credit if you're between 100% and 400% of Federal poverty level. https://www.irs.gov/affordable-care-act/individuals-and-families/premium-tax-credit-flow-chart-are-you-eligible https://www.irs.gov/affordable-care-act/individuals-and-fami... https://www.healthcare.gov/lower-costs/ https://www.healthcare.gov/lower-costs/
jt2190 5y ago
In the U.S. it’s not enough to have health insurance: You also need to make sure that the healthcare providers you care about accept it. Furthermore, there’s a wrinkle to watch out for where “renewing” a policy is actually “buying a new policy”. A new diagnosis under the current policy then becomes a disqualifying “pre-existing condition” when trying to get the new policy.
- perfectstorm 5y ago
  I thought pre-existing condition was outlawed by Obamacare.
  - LurkingPenguin 5y ago
    These are international plans designed for Americans living abroad. They might offer coverage within the US for temporary visits home, usually at additional cost, but they are not ACA plans, do not have to comply with the ACA rules, and do not meet the requirements for minimum essential coverage under the ACA.
- ornornor 5y ago
  Every time I hear about the US healthcare system I’m amazed at how dehumanizing and user hostile it is.

mysecretaccount 5y ago

Wow, that is extremely reasonable. I'm looking to FIRE in the next year and live >6 months abroad, and as a single person, any amount of coverage for <$300/month is a godsend and will not eat into my retirement significantly.

LurkingPenguin 5y ago
The problem you might run into is that if you're not spending at least 330 days out of every 365-day period abroad or, alternatively, don't establish bona fide residence in a foreign country, if you're an American citizen or permanent resident you will still be required to have health insurance that qualifies as minimum essential coverage under the ACA, or pay a penalty. These expat health insurance plans are designed for expats living abroad, not US residents who spend time (even a significant amount) outside of the US each year.

echelon 5y ago

Is there something like this for domestic health insurance (ie. no time abroad)? Is there any risk they would drop you if you or your partner had a major illness or injury?

js2 5y ago
An ACA plan + Federal tax credit if you're between 100% and 400% of Federal poverty level. https://www.irs.gov/affordable-care-act/individuals-and-families/premium-tax-credit-flow-chart-are-you-eligible https://www.irs.gov/affordable-care-act/individuals-and-fami... https://www.healthcare.gov/lower-costs/ https://www.healthcare.gov/lower-costs/

jt2190 5y ago

In the U.S. it’s not enough to have health insurance: You also need to make sure that the healthcare providers you care about accept it. Furthermore, there’s a wrinkle to watch out for where “renewing” a policy is actually “buying a new policy”. A new diagnosis under the current policy then becomes a disqualifying “pre-existing condition” when trying to get the new policy.

perfectstorm 5y ago
I thought pre-existing condition was outlawed by Obamacare.
- LurkingPenguin 5y ago
  These are international plans designed for Americans living abroad. They might offer coverage within the US for temporary visits home, usually at additional cost, but they are not ACA plans, do not have to comply with the ACA rules, and do not meet the requirements for minimum essential coverage under the ACA.
ornornor 5y ago
Every time I hear about the US healthcare system I’m amazed at how dehumanizing and user hostile it is.