[pct-l] Insurance

[Webmail dcooper]

Regarding insurance, get a high quality insurance for the western states,
like Anthem, Blue Cross Blue Shield. If you seek medical attention while
hiking it is more than likely going to be an emergency room or immediate
care situation. The dedctible will matter and vary with what u can afford
but what I think is more important is having the insurance in place so you
get the contract negotiated rates. The cost of the insurance is going vary
all over the place depending (primarily) on your age, the deductible, and
existing conditions. Expect to pay anywhere between $75 to $225 a month.
I'm 58 and I have pre-existing conditions and carry an AARP Aetna plan with
prescription coverage and a $2500 deductible and I pay $220 a month. But
honestly the dynamics of health care in the US are geo-specific. I was
treated on the CDT in Silver City and never even charged. I was injured in
AK and had to wait a day to be treated because I did not have health
insurance. Go to www.ehealthinsurance.com and see what you can self design
for your needs, it's a pretty good indicator on what you will pay.