Tuesday, April 26, 2011

Is healthy aging the solution to health care expenses after retirement?

According to an article by Ruffenach for Smart Money magazine, you should focus on prescription drugs. Based on a study by the Employee Benefit Research Institute a retired couple would need $158,000 with a 50% probability to cover their health expenses. It is estimated that a least a third of it will be in drug spending. Moreover, Medicare won't pay for all. Indeed, it is recommended that under Medicare Part D program you review your insurer fees schedule on a yearly basis and change your plan accordingly. Using behavioral economics language, Fight the status quo tendency of human behavior. Part D plans may change their fees and  coverage. Failing to move to a different and more advantegeus plan may cost you thousands of dollars (at least until the next year, when you can change again, if it is not too late). A second option to lower the risk could be to open a Health Savings Account HSA). As you may know, similar to an IRA your contribution to an HSA may lower your taxes while you can use the money to pay for your medical expenses without having to pay any penalty or taxes. A third option would be to use generic drugs (and buying these anywhere in the world at a better price.) The last option, stay healthy. According to a statistic, more than a third of the population aproaching retirement is obese. Prescription: sleep well, eat well, practice excercise and have healthy interactions with others.   
References: Smart Money ; Employee Benefit Research InstituteHealth after 50 ; Focus on Healthy Aging ; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ; President Obama's Plans for Medicare      

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