Keeping ex-company\'s Group Health Insurance through CORBA after R2I?

[rxs]

Hello,

I have R2Ied recently and will be quitting my US company soon. I am starting my own company and will not be seeking employment in India. I have the option to keep using my ex (US) employer's group health insurance through COBRA (i.e. by paying my and my employer's share).

Does it make sense to keep such (US based) health insurance, when I have R2I'ed for good? Is such health insurance valid in India, or makes sense to keep only in the US? Or, should I opt for health insurance from some companies in India? Or, just not have any health insurance - I never worried about it when I was growing up - it is such an 'American' concept:)

Thanks,
R2Ied USC OCI

[kkr]

It will be very expensive for you to maintain COBRA coverage while in India, and who knows how much choice you have on doctors & hospitals? It is designed for those who continue to live in the US. If you really want insurance in India, I suggest buying it there. Keep in mind that they work differently than a typical insurance plan in the US. Understand the limits and exclusions before deciding.

[Old-Spice2]

>>>Does it make sense to keep such (US based) health insurance, when I have R2I'ed for good? Is such health insurance valid in India, or makes sense to keep only in the US? Or, should I opt for health insurance from some companies in India? Or, just not have any health insurance - I never worried about it when I was growing up - it is such an 'American' concept

Cobra and US medical insurance does not work in India unless it is an emergency. I tried to get reimbursements couple of times and was made to run around. Finally gave it up as the amount was less. One of the joy of living in India is you are out of the clutches of US medical insurance industry. Enjoy it and find some local insurance for high ticket medical care.

[return2del]

Most healthcare costs and insurance premiums are an order of magnitude lower in India than in the US (not cheap in absolute terms anymore, but cheap relative to the mindbogglingly overpriced US healthcare system).
Is there a specific reason (such as a foreseen need to visit US for a procedure) that you were considering keeping your expensive american health insurance, which would likely entail several thousand dollars per year in annual premium?

Hello,

I have R2Ied recently and will be quitting my US company soon. I am starting my own company and will not be seeking employment in India. I have the option to keep using my ex (US) employer's group health insurance through COBRA (i.e. by paying my and my employer's share).

Does it make sense to keep such (US based) health insurance, when I have R2I'ed for good? Is such health insurance valid in India, or makes sense to keep only in the US? Or, should I opt for health insurance from some companies in India? Or, just not have any health insurance - I never worried about it when I was growing up - it is such an 'American' concept:)

Thanks,
R2Ied USC OCI

[rxs]

Thanks for the responses. I was thinking of keeping the COBRA health insurance option for unforeseen high-ticket health problems. Given that the premium is high, and that it's not even readily usable in India (Thanks Old-Spice2 for relating your experience!), I am convinced that I wouldn't take this option. I'll just rely on my bank balance to take care of this.

[VS007]

Or your bank account could also take care of it.

I believe Andhra bank account holders get health insurance or atleast discounts.

[returning_indian]

for NRIs I believe self insurance is the way to go. Normal surgies will not be more than 2k and extensive ones might be 5-10k. Cobra not worth it.