topic Re: I Have Been Making Myself Crazy . . . in Community Chat

I Have Been Making Myself Crazy . . .

Its Me LuLuBelle2 — Tue, 07 Aug 2018 22:17:27 GMT

I will be eligible for Medicare in November. A couple of weeks ago those nice folks from the Dept. of Health and Human Services sent me my Medicare card for Parts A & B without my initiating it.

The part that has been causing me to lose sleep is "what else do I need? Is my coverage good enough? How much do 'extras' cost?" Well today I picked up the phone and called an insurance company that works in conjunction with AARP and spoke with an extremely kind, patient young man. I explained my health (thankfully, excellent and I take no meds), I told him I'm a legal resident of NY but am a snowbird and spend six months out of the year in FL and will need coverage in both states.

To make a long story short, all of my questions were answered, I signed up for a Medicare Advantage plan that meets my needs and tonight I won't toss and turn and I'll sleep like a baby.

You can also call Medicare with questions and concerns as well. No need to navigate this process alone. You know what you need and there are people able to help!

Re: I Have Been Making Myself Crazy . . .

Nataliesgramma — Tue, 07 Aug 2018 22:26:36 GMT

You will probably get the barrage of sales calls as the date gets closer....I know we did when hubby was eligible...

Re: I Have Been Making Myself Crazy . . .

QVCkitty1 — Tue, 07 Aug 2018 22:26:52 GMT

I was exactly like you when Medicare reared its head. I let all of the info pile up and procrastinated and worried. Whe I finally sorted it out it was a relief, and I too chose the advantage plan. After almost 4 years it has worked out well.

Re: I Have Been Making Myself Crazy . . .

spiderw — Tue, 07 Aug 2018 22:35:44 GMT

I am glad you were able to ease your mind and have your questions answered by a professional. I called Medicare when I became of age and had the same pleasant experience.

I am very fortunate in that through my job, I have a secondary insurance which will carry me through. I worked for 41 years and was a union member which was a blessing in that they were able to get great benefits for us for which I am grateful. However, times have changed within the past few years and what I have is not guaranteed for future retirees..

Our health benefits are so important and thank God for Medicare, it does help give you some peace of mind when you retire although you do need a supplement.

Have a great day!

Re: I Have Been Making Myself Crazy . . .

CalminHeart — Tue, 07 Aug 2018 22:39:47 GMT

I'll be 65 early 2019 and am looking for supplemental coverage too. I've seen how it has helped my parents and disabled sister and wouldn't dream of going without it once I go on Medicare. Luckily, my former employer offers assistance to those of us who stayed on the insurance plan once we retired. I will be calling them ahead of time to compare but am doing some research on my own too.

Re: I Have Been Making Myself Crazy . . .

chickenbutt — Tue, 07 Aug 2018 22:55:44 GMT

My husband is already over 65, but I will only be 64 in November this year. I've been having it on my mind to research this whole Medicare thing so I know what I'm doing when the time comes.

I figure I'll have to wait until it's much closer, as if I start now I'll just forget everything when the time comes.

Even so, there is a lot of mail that comes about insurance and such. It ticks me off that everybody sells our personal information so that we get spammed by mail, and probably phone but I don't answer.

Re: I Have Been Making Myself Crazy . . .

drizzellla — Tue, 07 Aug 2018 23:11:26 GMT

My husband is 2 years older than I am. So I was lucky that he signed up for Medicare before me. So when it was time for me to sign up, I was thrilled with the person my husband used. He asked what medications I was taking and my health history.

He found an excellent plan. Everything went smoothly. And I pay -0- for all my prescriptions.

I was not looking forward to going on Medicare. My company had an excellent Medical Plan and I didn't want to lose it. But I have not had any trouble with Medicare.

Hope your going on to Medicare will be as easy as my experience.

Re: I Have Been Making Myself Crazy . . .

lilypadfrog — Tue, 07 Aug 2018 23:11:44 GMT

I simply have my Medicare A & B and a drug plan. I didnt go with an Advantage plan because I wanted to see whomever I wanted and didnt want to worry about referrals. I am in excellent health, see a doctor once a year for labs. I worked for many years at a major insurance company, had to tell people many times that they werent covered or their rehab / hospital stay was ended. I watched people who could have benefited from more care or a longer stay go home. Yes, I worked for a very large Advantage Plan company and it left a horrible taste in my mouth. It will be a very cold day in Phoenix before I join a plan. I know I have a different point of view from other people. People need to understand that insurance companies are in a money business the same as any business. They take your money or Medicare's then hope they won't have to spend it all on you. They only stay in business when they make a profit.

Re: I Have Been Making Myself Crazy . . .

Azcowgirl — Wed, 08 Aug 2018 00:14:47 GMT

We have been going through the process also, and signed up for A and B , a gap plan and a prescription plan . Still have to get something for dental ! 😳

eta....even if I did want an advantage plan, there are none available in my area !

Also I have to go out of my area for good doctors.

Re: I Have Been Making Myself Crazy . . .

fthunt — Tue, 07 Aug 2018 23:28:00 GMT

lilypadfrog..........you're brave to take an opposite view than previous posters; but I'm with you. I don't want to give the OP another sleepless night - - but I wouldn't touch Advantage for reasons you mentioned. I came so close to giving up my great plan for "A" and my doctor's wife was insistent I get out of it and stay w/my original plan. Many people love "A" and that's okay; but I want to see doctors of my choosing. (the insurance co. really did a fast one - even came to my house)

Re: I Have Been Making Myself Crazy . . .

SilleeMee — Tue, 07 Aug 2018 23:55:32 GMT

I just turned 63. I'm not looking forward to the Medicare thing coming soon. If I'm still around this forum you'll probably hear me screaming about that time.

Re: I Have Been Making Myself Crazy . . .

software — Tue, 07 Aug 2018 23:56:44 GMT

When you are on the phone or in person talking to someone about purchasing a supplement or advantage plan, you are talking to a salesperson, not a medical professional.

Also after reading these posts, why wouldn't you be able to use your own doctor if all you have is Part A? Never heard of that. Part A is hospital, you are not limited by where you go.

Part B is a choice and it's not free. Also never heard of anyone being signed up automatically.

Re: I Have Been Making Myself Crazy . . .

151949 — Wed, 08 Aug 2018 00:17:36 GMT

I am on the AARP medicare advantage plan for 8 years. No way in the world would I pay for a supplement and drug plan every month just to avoid inexpensive copays.All I pay for my advantage plan is the $134 they take from my SS check.No additional premium. And if you choose a PPO you can see any doctor you please and do not need referrals.

Re: I Have Been Making Myself Crazy . . .

Its Me LuLuBelle2 — Wed, 08 Aug 2018 00:16:22 GMT

@software, When I received my Medicare card in the mail I called them to find out why I got it as I hadn't signed up yet. I was told that since I've been receiving Social Security since I've been 62 I was in the system which prompted the Medicare sign up automatically.

Re: I Have Been Making Myself Crazy . . .

software — Wed, 08 Aug 2018 00:17:18 GMT

I understand, yes, thanks

@Its Me LuLuBelle2 wrote:
@software, When I received my Medicare card in the mail I called them to find out why I got it as I hadn't signed up yet. I was told that since I've been receiving Social Security since I've been 62 I was in the system which prompted the Medicare sign up automatically.

Re: I Have Been Making Myself Crazy . . .

BirkiLady — Wed, 08 Aug 2018 06:14:02 GMT

@Its Me LuLuBelle2 @software That's scary to have Medicare sign you up. Be sure to check with your Aging Partners or SHIP (through your State) to make sure you really have the lifetime insurance coverage your may need. (They have NO vested interest in any insurance company and are not funded by any insurance companies.) Some insurance supplements will not allow you to switch; others do not ensure lifetime coverage (and could drop you due to later health issues). Be very careful if you haven't signed up for a supplement without thoroughly reading all of the fine print. You could regret it in 10-30 years . . . when you need it the most. You also want to be able to select your medical caregivers, specialists and where service is provided (not the insurer doing the selections and/or how often). This is for YOUR benefit; not the insurance company's benefit!

I would not trust any advice given by AARP, which promotes insurance companies and receives monies for doing so. Seems to be a conflict of interest IMO. Plus, they waste so much money and trees with their annoying mailings. Not my idea of an ideal place for good information. Some information may be accurate, but that is not enough when it comes to the remainder of your lifetime of insurance questions and coverage!

Re: I Have Been Making Myself Crazy . . .

software — Wed, 08 Aug 2018 01:10:48 GMT

I'm all set, maybe you meant this for the OP?

@BirkiLady wrote:
@software That's scary to have Medicare sign you up. Be sure to check with your Aging Partners (through your State) to make sure you really have the lifetime insurance coverage your may need. Some insurance supplements will not allow you to switch; others do not ensure lifetime coverage (and could drop you due to later health issues). Be very careful if you haven't signed up for a supplement without thoroughly reading all of the fine print. You could regret it in 10-30 years . . . when you need it the most.

Re: I Have Been Making Myself Crazy . . .

BirkiLady — Wed, 08 Aug 2018 01:17:07 GMT

@software EDITED to include the OP in the above post. Also added to my reply. Sorry for the confusion.

Re: I Have Been Making Myself Crazy . . .

Eileen in Virginia — Wed, 08 Aug 2018 01:49:06 GMT

I’ll be eligible for Medicare in November, too. DH was eligible last August and he enrolled in A and B, with our regular insurance becoming his supplemental plan. This combination has worked well, especially when he needed emergency surgery in January. I’m covered on his regular insurance, so it looks like I’m not insured to all the salesmen hawking Medicare supplement plans. We get so many calls it’s enough to drive you crazy. Thankfully, we have caller i.d. and only pick up for callers we know. I was a little concerned about how everything would sync up, but it’s worked seamlessly so far.

Re: I Have Been Making Myself Crazy . . .

fthunt — Wed, 08 Aug 2018 01:49:45 GMT

Birklady............you hit it about AARP! The mailings - the marketing literature that filled my mailbox. - cancelled membership for all the garbage outfits they sold my name/address too.