revshep
2/9/2017 15:59 EST
Just back from Portugal research trip and loved Cascais enough to move there. BUT husband and I will both be 70 when we do and find the cost of private insurance quotes at around $2500 monthly for the two of us. US citizens. Pretty much wipes out the otherwise low cost of living. Anyone have thoughts or advice?
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KevinfromKinsaleviaNYC
2/9/2017 17:18 EST
I don't know if this is helpful but someone forum another forum sent it to me in order to compare policies:
https://www.pacificprime.com/compare-quotes/step-one/
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heasley
2/9/2017 17:30 EST
We are moving in June (assuming the visas are approved) and so far have looked into Medal coverage through AFPOP. From the brochure they sent me it looks like you can join up until your 71st birthday. Their lowest rate in that age bracket is €800.75 per person annually so drastically less than what you've been quoted. Multicare is another one I hear mentioned frequently but I haven't quoted it for myself yet. Here is the Medal brochure that they don't have on their website but they emailed to me.
https://www.dropbox.com/s/0f578zg9p4pn8p1/Health%20Presentation_2017.pdf?dl=0
Good luck in your planning!
Heather
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revshep
2/9/2017 18:02 EST
Yes it is very helpful. Prices as low as 750 USD month for two 70-yr-olds. The more recognizable insurers like CIGNA run $2500 and up. Thanks for sharing the link. Would love to hear from anyone using one of the "lesser" insurers.
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revshep
2/9/2017 18:12 EST
Thanks, brochure opened easily. I found that their Option A or best coverage for over age 66 is almost 1700euros per person per month, Option B is 840euros. The kicker is they do not cover PRE-EXISTING conditions, which renders it essentially useless for most of us. I do appreciate the link and additional research. Thanks.
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heasley
2/9/2017 22:40 EST
The Medal rates in the brochure I posted are per YEAR not month. So the best coverage is only ~€142 per person per month, which I found astoundingly cheap! :)
I don't know the details of the pre-existing condition coverage but you might want to get in touch with them via email to ask specifics. What I've found so far is health insurance seems to be much more forgiving in Europe than the US,, particularly if you have documentation of consistent insurance coverage. Depending on the condition you may be eligible for an exemption. When I emailed them via their site they responded within a day or two so is probably worth it to ask them directly about your situation.
The other company that I mentioned has a quote form online, I haven't done it yet as being in Portuguese I will have to rely in google translator.
https://www.multicare.pt/PT/particulares/seguros/seguros/seguros-multicare/Paginas/default.aspx
Don't get discouraged, I think you'll be able to find something it just is more difficult when working in an unfamiliar system. As I do my research I'll post any additional links I come across that I think might help. Best of luck.
Heather
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revshep
2/10/2017 04:29 EST
Thanks for the clarification Heather! and the encouragement too. I will indeed contact them, I appreciate your kind help.
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croonerjim
4/15/2017 16:41 EST
Wondered what you did about this insurance? Am also 70 and have had very high quotes. Which is why we expect to get residency and use the national health system once we move there.
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croonerjim
4/15/2017 16:46 EST
Wondered what you did about this insurance? Am also 70 and have had very high quotes. Which is why we expect to get residency and use the national health system once we move there.
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Prissie2
4/15/2017 18:55 EST
I've checked all the ones mentioned with no luck. I finally took out a plan with Cigna. The only reason I would use it is for something catastrophic like heart attack or bad accident. I pay $325 a month and that includes evacuation and repatriation. Here's the kicker. I will have to pay $15,000 before it starts paying and they applied a 3-5 year waiting period for preexisting conditions.
Now I will say that the monthly is negotiable! It started at $700 and after several back and forth emails, he came down.
If you go through the Portugal health system your costs are almost nothing. I've chosen not to. Long story. ?? So I'll just pay as I go, which I'm rarely sick. I did have Bronchitis when I first came here this past October. My chest x-ray at a private hospital cost 25 euros. Through the system I think it would be 12 or maybe less. Can't remember for sure.
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croonerjim
4/15/2017 19:52 EST
Why did you choose not to use the public system? I know for routine stuff they may not be very good, but I would think for a big emergency (heart attack) they would know what to do. BTW are you in Lisbon? Want to meet for coffee or wine when we come the nd of May?
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Prissie2
12/4/2017 08:10 EST
I am so sorry I am just now seeing your message. If you have moved to Portugal by now, I will explain why I chose not to go with public health system. Nothing at all wrong with it that I know about.
I live in Vilamoura if you get down this way.
Again, my apologies for the delay.
:)
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Ironfoot2009
12/4/2017 18:42 EST
THey do over pre-existing if you already have a recent health ins plan that shows those pre-existing conditions
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Ironfoot2009
12/4/2017 18:45 EST
"as low as 750 USD month for two 70-yr-olds" WRONG---per YEAR--you only pay 750 or more per month in the good old US of A--not in EUROPE
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