Health Insurance? Turn Left At Aisle 6

Costco enters the health-insurance business with a plan to sell to members

Price-savvy shoppers look to big-box stores for bargains on everything from T-bones to tires. Will health insurance be next? Since 2003, Sam's Club has offered a free brokerage service to consumers in 48 states who are shopping for a health-insurance plan. Now Costco Wholesale Corp. is joining the market with a pilot program to sell medical coverage directly to consumers. In 34 Southern California stores this month, Costco will begin selling individual and family health insurance to its executive members--those who pay a $100 annual fee. The policies, in partnership with PacifiCare Health Systems, a California-based insurer, aren't cheap: $1,500 to...

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