What to Do If GM Cut Your Health Insurance

Other Concerns

EH says it will work with spouses who lose coverage, as well as the retirees themselves.

Some retiree-rights advocates have voiced concern about confusion and difficulty, given the magnitude of the changes, as well as the fact that some of those affected might require assistance in sorting through the options and making the decisions.

Jack Dickinson of GM retiree group Over the Hill Car People says, "This is overwhelming to retirees in their 70's and 80's. Help lines like Extend Health are meant to be a help but it is overwhelming to elderly people who don't expect to have to make these kind of decisions."

Regarding those who may be infirm or need help with the choices, EH's Williams says "a caregiver or relative can be on the call to us, as well to assist getting them on the right plan. There are legal documents that can give caregivers or relatives proxy to help enroll the infirm."

As for the cost, Williams says, "We cannot predict what will happen, but most clients are very surprised at the competitive value of the individual plans available in the market."

NCRO's Austin says, "Finding our own coverage is more expensive -- everyone is paying more than before." He says costs have risen between $2,000 and $10,000 a year.

White of the Ford group comments, "Some retirees in good health found that they could get a pretty good plan at a lesser cost ... but with high prescription plan requirements, costs rose. Everyone is different."