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A comment on HHS announces rule to protect consumers from surprise medical bills. Parent comment

Re:HHS announces rule to protect consumers from surprise med... by JMTQp8lwXL on Friday July 02, 2021 @03:10PM (#27715537)
It's important to know some assets avoid probate and go directly to the beneficiary. These include things like a life insurance policy, or a 401(k) with a beneficiary information you can input, and possibly even update online (low friction). The health bill can go to the estate, but the estate also isn't comprised of the retirement account.
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Re:HHS announces rule to protect consumers from surprise med... by slumdev on Friday July 02, 2021 @04:54PM (#27716736)
This should be common knowledge (but, unfortunately, isn't.)

A primary breadwinner should carry at least 10x his family's annual living expenses in term life insurance coverage.

Once the size of his retirement accounts exceeds this, he can start thinking about reducing the insurance.

Both will pay directly to beneficiaries in the event of his death.

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Re:HHS announces rule to protect consumers from surprise med... by mindslight on Friday July 02, 2021 @05:16PM (#27716983)
You can setup a simple trust with the right form/software, and a visit to your bank for notarization. I don't know if a revocable living trust would protect your heirs against healthcare shakedowns, and it would likely depend on the state. But if the current corrupt system continues much longer, I can see irrevocable trusts becoming popular to protect yourself even while alive.
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