Community Chat

[lilypadfrog]

Thank you fthunt!  I really thought I would be bashed for my comments. 

Medicare A doesnt have a premium while Medicare B does.  A is for hospital while B covers doctors / durable medical equipment.  For those who signed up for an Advantage Plan, they have essentially "sold" their Medicare rights to that Advantage plan.  Think about it.  Why would any insurance company pay for your healthcare if they didnt get money from someone?  Medicare will pay a contracted amount of money to the Advantage plan to cover your healthcare per year.  If the plan is able to cover you for less than Medicare pays them, then thats their profit.  Lets take that a step further. .. if the Advantage Plan can contract with Doctor abc for less than Doctor xyz, why wouldnt they tell you to see Doctor abc so it saves them money?  Honest,  folks, I dont mean to be so jaded, but its working inside these plans for so many years.  If I needed something in addition to my Medicare, I would look at Gap plans.  And, I would not be getting my information from someone who makes a commission on what he can sell me.  I would be contacting my state SHIP (state health information program) or the Area Agency on Aging.

[Auntie CC]

I'm sad for you that your job left a sour taste in your mouth. Insurance is a business.PERIOD. They need to make a profit to stay in business. PERIOD. It's up to all of us to stay informed re our health care coverage. Most people have a secondary ins that kicks in after Medicare pays. You are very fortunate that you're healthy. Live long and prosper

[jackthebear]

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@Nataliesgramma wrote:

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

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we never got any,

but I never answer my phone if I don't know the number any unknown/spam are blocked immediately, so there could have been  

[Veridoc]

Look up the SHIP office for your state. Every state has this. They are your advocate for Social Security and Medicare. They are not tied to any insurance company. They are here to help you decide what is best for you and your circumstances.

[chrystaltree]

I helped my friend apply for her SSA benefits and Medicare.  She was so worried, business things are not her strength and she listened to all the blah blah blah and the horror stories.  I was amazed at how easy it all was.  She never even had to go into the SSA office!  We went online and applied for her SSA benefit, filled out the application and that's all it took.  It was very user friendly.  Like you, her Medicare card came in the mail unsolicited several months before her 65th birthday.  Before we even applied for her benefits.  We signed her up for the Medicare supplement plan that my sister and my bff have, it med her needs and both said they like that particular plan.  I do think retirees stress over something that is not stressful at all.  Warning though; you will deluged with Medicare Supplement plans for every insurance company in the world now.  It will come by mail, by phone, by email.  I told my friend.  You are all set now.  No worries.  Just delete the emails, shred the paper mail and hang up and block the phone calls.  I am several years away from all of this but it reassuring to know that it is such an easy, effortless process.  

[PINKdogWOOD]

@CalminHeart  When I retired from the st of OH our insurance was with Med Mutual. My husband has always been on my insurance as his work never has unless we wanted to pay through the nose and out the wazoo for premiums.

We both kept Med Mutual as our supplemental - he's had it for 1.5 years now, ne since April. Med Mutual is GREAT, CS is OUTSTSANDING on the few occasions I've ever needed to chat with them, rates are good, coverage excellent.

I highly recommend Med Mutual.

[I am still oxox]

I am currently in the same situation and trying to navigate this is makeing me nuts

[CelticCrafter]

@lilypadfrog - we still have a few more months to go before we have to start looking into what's out there but we want what you have and I guess something to pick up the difference of what's not covered under B.

It's all so confusing right now.

We don't want an HMO and want to be able to do the same thing, see who we want, when we want without any referrals.  We wouldn't even care if it was a straight EPO that required you to use an in-network provider

If we are required to take a drug plan, it will be the cheapest one available because neither one of take anything.

[lilypadfrog]

Thank you Auntcc.  Its so true that insurance is a business which needs to make a profit.  My mistake was thinking that I worked for the patient so having to deny benefits, face to face, when I knew those additional benefits would help was horrible.  The last few years I worked, I authorized more than I should but it felt so good for my soul.  A wonder I didnt get fired though.  This is why I strongly encourage people to conract their state SHIP office for the best information.

[lilypadfrog]

CelticCrafter, yes you are required to have a Med D (drug) plan.  When I started I had a single prescription costing me less than $5 a month out of pocket.  The Med D plan cost far more than that.  If you do decide to have an Advantage Plan, they usually cover the drug plan.  I dont know if a Gap Supplement does cover the drugs.  I do not have either an Advantage or a Gap Plan.  I am not in perfect health but everything is covered well with my Medicare.  Your local SHIP office can go over all your options so you can make an informed choice for your own situation.