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Strategies & Market Trends : Dividend investing for retirement -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: maverick61 who wrote (29988)	11/4/2018 4:55:12 PM
From: John Koligman	1 Recommendation Recommended By geoffrey Wren Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 34328

One guy's opinion? The piece provides copious documentation about what he says. I could post endless articles about trying to 'find out' what a procedure will actually cost at a hospital with little or no success. One final item - I noticed in a prior post you mentioned 'skinny' plans as a possibility for Elroy. I went through the process at the United Healthcare website to apply - basically they say if you have not taken an Advil over the past five years they will issue you a policy, otherwise forget it. They also don't cover drugs, and have a yearly cap, so even with a policy if you have something significant occur you will potentially pay dearly out of pocket. They suck as insurance. Here is what they ask during the application process... ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------- Within the last 5 years, has any applicant received medical or surgical consultation, advice, or treatment, including medication, for any of the following: blood disorders, liver disorders, kidney disorders, chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (COPD) or emphysema, diabetes, cancer, multiple sclerosis, heart or circulatory system disorders (excluding high blood pressure), Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis, or alcohol or drug abuse or immune system disorders? The person(s) named will not be covered under the policy/certificate. NoYes Has any applicant had testing performed and has not received results, or been advised by a medical professional to have treatment, testing, or surgery that has not been performed? The person(s) named will not be covered under the policy/certificate. NoYes Within the last 5 years, has any applicant received treatment, advice, medication, or surgical consultation for HIV infection from a doctor or other licensed clinical professional, or had a positive test for HIV infection performed by a doctor or other licensed clinical professional? The person(s) named will not be covered under the policy/certificate.

To: maverick61 who wrote (29988)	11/4/2018 7:07:33 PM
From: E_K_S	1 Recommendation Recommended By maverick61 Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 34328

I negotiated special procedure rates for dental work (a Indian who works w/ his brother in Silicon Valley). He gave me a great deal for cash but I told him up front I was self insured and wanted at least or better rates than insurance provides. You can use the Internet to find out the current range for rates for different dental work procedures. It's still expensive but was 50% less than if I did nothing. Ha, I thought if I just gave him a Gold Krugerrand that could be kept on account to use as payment for future dental services but did not have the audacity to propose that method of payment. Maybe next time. FWIW, I did offer my handyman/contractor payment on account using 1/4 oz Gold American Eagle coins. I gave him 2 to put on account and gave him a value of $500.00 (really worth around $600 at 2018 Gold prices). I bought a bunch of these years ago for around $85.00/coin just as a hedge against inflation and thought at some point could barter for services. I explained to my handyman that this would be one way to save for his two kids education and that I would pay cash or these coins for his services. My Dad (a great long term investor) got me started investing in these 1/4 oz gold coins early in the mid 80's, He said that some time in your life time (or children's life time), you can use these to barter for food and/or services. I still think one needs catastrophic health insurance but much easier to self insure for Dental. I will have to ask my Dentist about my gold coin proposition as I have been w/ him for over 20 years. Those Indians love gold and we always talk stocks when I go in for annual check ups. Good Investing EKS