Re: What's a "good" health care benefit these days?

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As a retired professor covered under what's considered one of the better
state retirement systems, DH probably has a relatively good health care
benefit. The system pays his entire premium, and we pay about $4,000 a year
for my coverage. We have a $750 annual deductible each and pay 25%
coinsurance after the deductible is satisfied. We each get one physical a
year completely covered, along with accompanying standard tests like blood
work and a mammogram for me. Medications are not subject to the deductible,
and have various copays of between $10 and $30 for a month's supply.

Of course, the down side is that our income is pretty much fixed, and our
out-of-pocket costs creep up every year. DH has 4 years to go before
Medicare; I have 9. I'm grateful I have the coverage, though, because I'd
have to find a job strictly to get insurance otherwise. The work I do
provides no benefits of any kind.