Any one know of a good health insurance for a 50 year old unmarried woman. She only works in a seasonal position for 5 months and her company does not provide health insurance. The gal recently had a small stroke. She's fine but will most likely need to be on blood type thinning medication for the rest of her life. She priced her medications and they come to over $200. a month which she paid . Prior to having the stroke her bills were small. She is not interested in any state aid type programs. She feel she would like to pay her way but not get ripped off. Her hospital bill for a 26 hr stay was $13,000. A basic bed,not intensive care, which her current insurance paid a good portion but wonders if she could do better. The medication alone will put her in the poor house. Any stories or suggestions would be wonderful. thank you.

tell her to move to Canada, we have free health care up here ;)

I hope people know I'm not some MM fan. But if I ever fall ill, I will take the first plane out to either the UK or Canada after seeing "Sicko", they know how to take care of the sick, American healthcare insurance companies will find any way to screw people out.

And not to come to the US. They even have state aid screwed up with red tape and long lines.

As I have no insurance, I can't help with the question. But will the stroke count against her as a pre-existing condition if she were to change insurances?

Posters
Unfortunally none of you helped my friend. She lives in the USA and telling her to moved to Canada isn't a helpful advice. Were you serious? It appears many of you are perfectly healthy and can make a funny joke. I won;t asked for advice. Sadly she will pay the price.

the only thing I can think of is to NETWORK...to try to find someone through a friend of a friend. friend of a relative etc. who is in insurance...maybe they may have some ideas. Wish I could be of more help but it sounds like you need to get your hands on someone who can "pull strings."

She may know this already but if not, her medical expenses and premiums are probably tax deductible. This may help her out a bit $ wise.

Posters
Unfortunally none of you helped my friend. She lives in the USA and telling her to moved to Canada isn't a helpful advice. Were you serious? It appears many of you are perfectly healthy and can make a funny joke. I won;t asked for advice. Sadly she will pay the price.
Don't get snippy; we're not miracle workers here. You didn't exactly tell us where your friend lives. I asked you a valid question...I am betting she will have trouble getting her stroke-related things covered because it is a pre-existing condition. Insurance companies LOVE to deny pre-existing conditions. And that means she'll still be paying for those pills out of pocket.

Try having NO insurance. I live with that everyday.

Don't get snippy; we're not miracle workers here. You didn't exactly tell us where your friend lives. I asked you a valid question...I am betting she will have trouble getting her stroke-related things covered because it is a pre-existing condition. Insurance companies LOVE to deny pre-existing conditions. And that means she'll still be paying for those pills out of pocket.

Try having NO insurance. I live with that everyday.

Yep, it sucks not having insurance, i haven't had health insurance a day in my life, i just pray i never need surgery any time soon. Dawsongirl actually did offer good advice, it sucks that we have to move or visit Canada to get healthcare but if you really need it, sometimes you have to. The only two things standing between me and Canada are my family and snow.

Anyway, i have been hearing of many commercials on TV about insurance specifically for people around the age of your friend and that supposedly don't care if you have a health problem. I really can't think of the names of those companies but you could possibly google life insurance for people with pre-existing health conditions and maybe you could find one that will be right for your friend.

She could also try seeing if her medication is available in generic form. It'll be cheaper, and if it is available, Wal-Mart may carry it in their pharmacies for $4. Can't hurt to look.