Reply
Honored Contributor
Posts: 37,847
Registered: ‎06-11-2011

Re: I Have Been Making Myself Crazy . . .


@lilypadfrog wrote:

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.  


@lilypadfrog  Your reasoning is why I went on the government Medicare plan (red, white and blue card) yet also got a Medigap plan from Anthem to pay the 20% that Medicare doesn't cover.  I chose the "F" plan, the most expensive but with completely full coverage; it pays the Part B deductible each year and whatever 20% of my bills Medicare doesn't cover.  I can go to any doctor I want to in any state of the USA and there is also some degree of international coverage (but since I rarely go out of the country I'm not real concerned with that).  My coverage has been great!  I never see a medical bill.   I also have a separate prescription drug plan since that wasn't covered (although most Advantage plans cover drugs to some extent).  

Trusted Contributor
Posts: 1,217
Registered: ‎03-09-2010

Re: I Have Been Making Myself Crazy . . .

I was seriously ill with ovarian and pancreatic cancer the year I turned 65.  Although I intended to work for a few more years, I was forced to retire.  Advantage plans did not work for me because my gynecologic oncologist was not covered nor was my surgeon for pancreatic cancer.  I also discovered, and this was several years ago, that some supplemental plans would not cover me because I was only three months from a Whipple procedure.  I did figure everything out, but talk about stress.  As someone who has super costly meds, I have discoved that health costs for me are a challenge, but I am thankful for what I have.  Moreover, once I figured out the system, I no longer have to work hard— except for drug plans each year—to find and understand what I need.  

Honored Contributor
Posts: 33,629
Registered: ‎03-20-2010

Re: I Have Been Making Myself Crazy . . .


@BirkiLady wrote:

@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!  


@BirkiLady

 

You are so right about AARP....All one has to do is just google about their advocacy and they are one of the WEALTHIEST lobbying groups....cant get into more detail because it's political which isnt allowed by QVCs forum.  All I can say they are more concerned about their own wealth and interest then they are about seniors.........

Animals are reliable, full of love, true in their affections, grateful. Difficult standards for people to live up to.”
Honored Contributor
Posts: 33,629
Registered: ‎03-20-2010

Re: I Have Been Making Myself Crazy . . .


@software wrote:

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.

 


@software

 

Went to lunch with a friend and her SIL....And her SIL is of Medicare age and she called them and they told her they are doing it different, they sign you up but you can still fill out a form to OPT OUT.....I guess they figure the majority opt in and less OPT OUT so easier for Medicare....She opts out because she is still covered by her husbands medical insurance with his employer ......

Animals are reliable, full of love, true in their affections, grateful. Difficult standards for people to live up to.”
Honored Contributor
Posts: 33,629
Registered: ‎03-20-2010

Re: I Have Been Making Myself Crazy . . .


@fthunt wrote:

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. 


@fthunt

 

AARP starts sending people junk mail when they turn 55.Woman Frustrated...One reason I love these forums is that you learn so much....and someone pointed out you can go to the AARP website and OPT OUT of all their marketing garbage and telemarketing calls which includes their affilates of United Healthcare and other companies---BEST THING I EVER DID!!!  My junk mail is practically none existent now!!!---that shows you how much junk they peddle even before you turn 65!!!!.....

Animals are reliable, full of love, true in their affections, grateful. Difficult standards for people to live up to.”
Honored Contributor
Posts: 33,629
Registered: ‎03-20-2010

Re: I Have Been Making Myself Crazy . . .


@lilypadfrog wrote:

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.


@lilypadfrog

 

Very wise information....thank you for sharing....and thats what some of my friends have told me about and warned me about too, they advised me to start being aware so when I turn the "golden age" I can make good decsions

Animals are reliable, full of love, true in their affections, grateful. Difficult standards for people to live up to.”
Honored Contributor
Posts: 9,305
Registered: ‎06-08-2016

Re: I Have Been Making Myself Crazy . . .

This must be very recent because I had to sign up for Medicare earlier this year.

I did receive a letter, but it didn't automatically sign me up, it was instructions for how I can sign up myself.

But in @Its Me LuLuBelle2's case hers was automatic because she is already on Social Security, prior to turning 65, I was not on SS at the time.

 

You can't opt out of Medicare Part A (hospital) when you turn 65, no matter your situation.   That's the law, even with employer insurance.  You do not have to take Part B (physician), as long as you are covered by your employer.

 

A different answer for every question, which is why anyone with questions should go directly to the site or a local office.

 


@Spurt wrote:

@software wrote:

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.

 


@software

 

Went to lunch with a friend and her SIL....And her SIL is of Medicare age and she called them and they told her they are doing it different, they sign you up but you can still fill out a form to OPT OUT.....I guess they figure the majority opt in and less OPT OUT so easier for Medicare....She opts out because she is still covered by her husbands medical insurance with his employer ......


 

 

 

Respected Contributor
Posts: 4,417
Registered: ‎02-09-2016

Re: I Have Been Making Myself Crazy . . .

Go to your Social Security Office now , it's not to early to sign up. 

Esteemed Contributor
Posts: 7,322
Registered: ‎02-22-2015

Re: I Have Been Making Myself Crazy . . .

@KailaS  Check with your SHIP office or Office of Aging (through your State) for help with your drug plans. They have a computerized program that will negiotiate the plans with your required list of meds. It only takes a few minutes if you have an appointment. It's a service for all seniors or people with disabilities and is free of charge. Many of my friends use it each year when checking for the best prices of their medications.  

Money screams; wealth whispers.