21 Days to Launch | Navigating the Healthcare Maze: Our Journey to Finding Insurance After Corporate Life

The team Christmas gifts sit on my desk at home, waiting to be mailed - their journey from in-person delivery to postal service perfectly capturing how workplace connections have evolved since COVID. The desk plaques define "Team" as "a collection of incredibly brilliant individuals that collaborate to achieve extraordinary results." Not your typical corporate fluff - these words genuinely reflect how I feel about these colleagues who've become friends.

Between holiday celebrations and our annual pretzel-making tradition (where my sister, niece, nephew, and mom turned our kitchen into a wonderfully chaotic mess of giggles and tiny twists), we're tackling what might be our biggest transition challenge yet: figuring out life after employer healthcare.

Who knew that leaving corporate would mean becoming an expert in insurance terminology? We're searching for that sweet spot between catastrophic coverage and proactive wellness care, but the numbers are sobering. Here in Texas, basic medical plans run about $9,000 yearly with government assistance ($18,000 without), plus an $18,000 deductible. Not exactly the "freedom budget" numbers we were hoping for.

Our deep dive into healthcare options has taught us some surprising things. Did you know Texas has the highest uninsured rate in the nation? About 22% of adults aged 19-64 don't have coverage. Meanwhile, states like New Hampshire offer premiums nearly $300 lower per month. (Though trading Texas summers for New Hampshire winters is an unlikely outcome!)

We're exploring three main paths: the ACA Marketplace (hello, subsidies!), private insurance (flexibility comes at a price), and health care sharing ministries (an interesting alternative, though with some significant limitations). Each option feels a bit like choosing between different sizes of puzzle pieces that don't quite fit our picture of ideal coverage.

For those navigating similar healthcare decisions, here's what we've learned about the main options:

ACA Health Insurance Marketplace:

• Most traditional coverage option
• Essential health benefits included
• Income-based subsidies available
• Higher deductibles common
• Network restrictions may apply

Private Insurance:

• More flexibility in doctors and hospitals
• Various plan types available
• Generally higher premiums
• Age affects costs significantly
• Pre-existing condition coverage varies

Health Care Sharing Ministries:

• Not traditional insurance
• Often lower monthly costs
• Based on shared ethical/religious beliefs
• Fewer regulatory protections
• Some treatment restrictions apply

Key Considerations at Our Age:

• Costs increase significantly after 50
• Location heavily impacts premiums (Texas vs. New Hampshire proves this!)
• Balance monthly premiums against out-of-pocket costs
• Consider future travel plans when choosing coverage
• Prevention often costs less than treatment

TRANSITION UPDATES:

Corporate Exit: The team keeps growing stronger, developing their own problem-solving muscles. My days are filled with answering the "why" behind processes and helping them tackle unexpected scenarios. Watching them find their own solutions brings a different kind of job satisfaction.

Virtual Business: Turns out, connecting websites to Google Analytics involves more steps than expected. Despite considering myself tech-savvy, this project reminded me that sometimes learning curves have their own timelines - and that's okay.

Truck/Camper: The camper arrives next month! Meanwhile, our great home purge is about to begin. I'm discovering that imagining a house with "less stuff" actually could uncover more possibilities.

What we're learning:

• Healthcare planning requires as much creativity as budgeting
• Sometimes security looks different than we imagined
• The best wellness plan starts before you need it
• Location affects more than just housing costs
• Simple living might mean complex decisions first

Next week, we'll share how we're approaching these final weeks of corporate life, including the unexpected joy of watching the team truly own their roles. Because sometimes the best leadership means knowing when to step back.