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[worry-wart]

Here is a question for all of you who know more about current state of the USA than I do.

I've been working for many years at a foreign university and am about ready to retire and come back to the USA.  Since the country in which I live  has a Social Security agreement with the USA, I think I get some kind of  insurance (medicare etc.) when I get back, but my spouse, a bit younger than I am will not do so for a while.  Is it possible to get some kind of health insurance in the USA for someone who is not yet 67?  At least for catastrophic situations?

Thanks in advance.  Any advice is greatly appreciated.

[%sig%]

[To worry-wart]

Individual health insurance is very very expensive, but probably available unless there is a chronic illness or "pre-existing condition" that may prove very expensive quite soon. Alternatives to explore:
  Some states have catastrophic health insurance available at a somewhat-reasonable cost for people in certain categories. (Most common: new college graduates not yet employed in a position that carries health benefits.) Retirees too young for medicare may be able to buy similar coverage in some states.
  Affinity groups can sometimes provide a group health insurance plan, which is always cheaper than individual insurance. Think college alumni association, trade association (independent realtors in this city, I know, have a group that offers members insurance), or something similar.
  Perhaps the best way to begin exploring such issues from outside the USA is to look at the webpage of the AARP (American Association of Retired Persons), which may or may not have links to useful sites.
  I'm a bit more worried about your eligibility for Medicare, since, in fact, the paycheck deduction for Medicare is separate from the ordinary Social Security (pension) deduction -- you may be able to find answers at the Social Security website.

[um...?]

You have to file taxes, and only the first $86k or so is excludable, so won't you have paid into Medicare and Social Security?