Where can I get medical insurance?

I am 63 yo female. Where can I get the cheapest medical/hospitalization insurance until I reach age 65?

• I had to retire at age 62 due to endstage osteoarthritis in a knee. I couldn't walk, but couldn't have surgery because of the short term disability I had at work -- the company I had through work didn't pay what I had been given to understand it would pay when I signed up for it. I had to use up most of my savings with bills and deductibles for my hospital bills. I couldn't work, had very little left in savings, so I had to sell my house and retire to another state where the housing was cheaper. Since I had HMO where I worked, I could not continue it when I retired to another state. Right now I pay $400 per mo. for hospitalization alone. Everything else (i.e. doctor visits, tests, medications, glasses, dental, etc.) I must pay out of pocket. Right now I must do without a lot of care because I simply can't afford it on social security. However, I thought perhaps there are companies and plans I'm not familiar with that would work out better for me. Any suggestions?

• Answer:

  Many people join their Chamber of Commerce, as an individual, as a way to get insurance for a while. The link below will take you to some ideas for insurance, too. Have you checked with AARP? Membership starts at age 50.