Dear Helpful Government Program:

Let's start with the 2023 finding that 44% of American households can't handle an unexpected $1000 expense. Hold that thought for a bit; I'll circle back.

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After several early-retirement years on the ACA, I'm moving to Medicare.

I've successfully dodged the Medicare Advantage scam, and after hours of internet sites and forms now have Medicare A&B, Medigap, and Medicare Rx cards in my wallet, for a start date of July 1. (Not sure how every 64 year-old can be expected to do that, but I guess that's why my mail has been full of helpful Medicare Advantage advertisements for months now: have a salesman do it for you!)

Costwise: the three policies (Medicare, Medigap, Rx) total $436/mo. Meanwhile, the ACA premium for two is $1432, with mine the more expensive half. So: pay $436, save ~$800. Sweet.

...oops, here's the Medicare A&B bill in the mail. Turns out Medicare bills three months a time, so the invoice isn't $174, it's $524. Ok, well, still budget-neutral for the month.

Anyhow, the next step was to cancel my ACA insurance while leaving Mrs sutton on the policy.

.......

Five drop-downs deep into Healthcare.gov I find the answer: CAN'T do it online. Have to make a call. Sigh.

In fairness, only 7-8 minutes on hold.

.......

Turns out sutton CAN'T cancel his Obamacare on June 15 effective on July 1. He has to call on July 1...after the $1432 July premium for two has been made. ("Well we govt> could try, but they <ins> would...": the classic bureaucratic notmydepartment roadblock)

TL;DR: while it will all turn out happy in the end, at the moment I'm paying out of cash flow the usual $1432...PLUS the 3 mo Medicare PLUS he other two Medicare nets totaling close to an unexpected, due-right-now extra $800

For the sutton household, it's just irritating. We (and, presumably, just about everyone reading this) can manage a quick $800 without an issue, especially knowing I'll (well, I should) get back the $800 I've unnecessarily been forced to float the insurance company.

When they get around to it. Maybe.

Meanwhile, let me get back to the factoid that 44% of American households couldn't handle an unexpected $1000.

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In other news: persistent handwringing in the NYT, WaPo etc why rural America is fed up.

-- sutton

(Maybe they can all handle $800?)