Community Chat

[Silkeej]

I  think she is talking about drug coverage for prescriptions part  D.

[gertrudecloset]

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@Silkeej wrote:

I  think she is talking about drug coverage for prescriptions part  D.

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This depends on which income brackets she's looking at too @Silkeej .  Prices are not the same for everyone.  Those with higher incomes will pay more.

[Silkeej]

Thank you for the information I don't have part D so I don't know anything about it.

[gertrudecloset]

@Silkeej  many Advantage plans (Part C) include the Drugs.  Most of them do.  Reason I stopped with them was because my preferred docs didn't take some of the plans.  They will take straight medicare but prefer not to be in a lot of networks of insurance plans because it costs so much for the staffing and billing.  So, I opted for plain ole Medicare with a Part D prescription stand alone prescription Drug Plan. 

There are not a lot stand alone D plans in my area so I try to stay with one I like.  However, every year they may stop covering a drug I use or put it in a different tier (which will make it cost more); so every year I shop around for plans to make sure I'm getting what works for me.

We gotta try to save where we can.....

[gertrudecloset]

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@hckynut wrote:

@Cakers3 

"No out of Pocket" Medicare! Like you, I have never heard of it, and have paid a whole lot of "Out O P".

hckynut 

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@hckynut  that's the way it works.  You're gonna pay. 

[gertrudecloset]

Most Medicare Supplement plans charge a premium.  They are issued by the same companies that provide Medicare Advantage Plans.  Supplemental plans do cost monthly.  If they didn't charge anything how would the insurance company make any money @Teddixat ?

Remember we're talking about companies like United Healthcare, Aetna, Blue Cross, and others.  If you have income from Social Security you will pay a monthly premium for a Medicare Supplement plan.  What you don't pay for is the other 20% that Medicare does not cover.

If you know of any supplement plans with no monthly premimum please let the board know.  It could be beneficial.

[gertrudecloset]

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@77yangya wrote:

I feel SO sorry for those that are on medicare.  I don't use it.  You pay into it so you don't get much out.  Not much goes in. 

I can't stand those bogus commercials.  They use celebs to push the parts of medicare that you have to pay for and then they say just call it's all FREE!!!!  Yeah, right.

They shoved part B on me and I had to go on line, download a form, print it out and fax it to them to tell them I do not want it.  Finally I got rid of it.  AND IT WAS NOT FREE!!!

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@77yangyaso do you have private medical insurance?  I can't imagine any insurance company underwriting you for a plan if you are Medicare eligible.

[gertrudecloset]

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@CelticCrafter wrote:

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@Teddixat wrote:

@teganslaw    Then you need to do the research.   Many supplemental plans do not charge a monthly premium and zero copay for your primary care.  If you see a specialist then there is usually a small copay of $5 or $10.   I have Blue Shield for my supplemental and pay no,premium or copay for my primary. I do however have an HMO and not a PPO which may make a difference.  So far I am fortunate not to need any medications and am pretty darn healthy

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Sounds a though you are confusing a Supplement plan with the Advantage plan.

HMO's are Advantage plans.

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Exactly @CelticCrafter . 

[qvcaddition]

@VancouverUSAgal 

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@VancouverUSAgal wrote:

If your only income is SS, please look into Medicare "Specizl Help.". This programs pays part of my Medicare premium and limits my drug costs to approx. $ 3.50 for generic and $8.50 for non generic. There is no donut hole. Your home and car don't count agaunst you. This program is not really advertised and many people are midding out. I am on about 12 prescriptions, some very, very expensive and could not possibly pay for them without this program. 

I also recommend talking with a broker when deciding on an Advantage plan. They will have comparison info on all plans in your areaand can also probably help with applying for the "Special Help ."

hope this is helpful!

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I have an HMO.  If you are under a certain income, there is no Dr. Copay, no prescription charges, generic or brand.  I pay 15 dollars monthly premium.  I was paying 80 a month and the copays, until I learned through research the plan I have now.  I have shared it with many seniors who needed help.  I was getting my medication from Canada, because I could not afford it here.  

[qvcaddition]

@Carmie 

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@Carmie wrote:

@Cakers3   

Some people who have Advantage  Medicare Plans pay zero premiums, have no deductible or copays.

They get covered services paid at 100%.

The only thing they pay out of pocket is the Medicare  Part B Premium which  is taken from their SS payments each month.

This is what I have, Senior Advantage.

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