Feb 25, 2008 -- Baby boomers a new target market for some insurers
Conventional wisdom holds that it's almost impossible for baby boomers who are in the 50-64 age group to buy individual health policies. But increasingly insurers are trying to woo more individuals as customers. That's because big employers are discontinuing health insurance and switching over to reimbursement plans. Such plans may still be managed by the insurers, who act as paper-pushers. But the actual business of insuring is increasingly done by the employers themselves.
Aetna, Humana and Wellpoint all offer products to uninsured baby boomers, according to The Dallas Morning News. They may even take you on if you have some pre-existing conditions. That's good news for the almost 7 million boomers who no longer get health insurance through work and aren't yet old enough for Medicare. Meanwhile, try looking to the warehouse clubs if you're an entrepreneur seeking an individual health plan. Sam's Club leads the field in offering volume-based pricing, but Costco also offers plans in select states.