Retiring Early? Here’s What You Need to Know About Choosing the Right Health Plan

Retiring early brings the freedom to enjoy life on your terms—but it also brings new responsibilities, especially when it comes to your healthcare.

At BCBSND, we want to help you navigate the health insurance landscape and find an individual plan that works for you.

Here are some factors you’ll want to consider when shopping.

1. Reliable Claims Payment: Get the Coverage You Deserve, On Time

When it comes to healthcare, timely claim payments matter. The last thing you want during retirement is to deal with delays or disputes over coverage. 

With our plans, you can count on:

• Fast and accurate claims processing
• Instant online access to claims and benefit information
• Top-rated customer satisfaction and service

We have a proven track record of supporting our members when they need us most.

2. Balancing Premiums and Out-of-Pocket Costs

Your healthcare plan should support your financial goals. Whether you’re living on investment income or a fixed budget, it’s important to understand:

• Your monthly premium
• Deductibles, copays, and coinsurance 
• Your annual out-of-pocket maximum

Our plan advisors can help you find the sweet spot: affordable monthly costs with strong protection for life’s what-ifs.

3. Access to Local Care You Trust

When you retire early, you want continuity in your care. That means:

• Keeping your current doctors, specialists, and hospitals
• Having access to a nationwide or regional provider network
• Freedom to travel without worrying about out-of-network surprises
• Access to VitellaCare clinics for primary and mental health care.

With a BCBSND plan, you get access to 99% of North Dakota doctors, all hospitals in the state and more covered providers for mental health issues.

And stay covered outside the state, too, with access to 85% of US providers and doctors in over 190 countries.

4. Managing Chronic Conditions and Medications

Do you take prescription medications or manage a chronic health condition? Our plans are built with you in mind:

• Comprehensive drug formularies
• Support for preventive care and disease management
• Tools like virtual care, wellness programs, and specialist referrals

Get the peace of mind that your care needs are supported—today and in the years ahead.

5. Flexibility to Fit You

Early retirement is a transition. Your health plan should adapt with you:

• Losing employer coverage? We've got options.
• Looking for ACA-compliant plans with essential benefits? We’ve got those too.
• Want help with subsidy eligibility based on your post-retirement income? We’ll guide you.

Whether you’re 55 or 64, you can count on us to offer flexible plans that serve you.

Talk to a Health Plan Expert Today

Planning for early retirement is exciting—but don’t let healthcare be the unknown. Our licensed experts are here to walk you through your options, help you compare plans, and choose the coverage that fits your goals.

Talk with an agent now to feel confident about your coverage options when you turn 65.