Increases in Medicare for 2022 - Page 4

teganslaw · ‎03-11-2010

I did receive the booklet about Medicare. I had a representative to help me when my husband and I signed up for Medicare plans. In my area (IN), all the Advantage Plans available to me had high deductibles, though no premiums or copays.

I ended up going with a Supplemental plan with a reasonable premium and about $200 deductible. I haven't had to pay any copays. My husband had to go to ER, and so far Medicare has covered most of the costs. I've paid less than when I had insurance through work.

"The more I learn about people, the more I like my dog."

Mark Twain

Cakers3 · ‎06-17-2015

@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.

@Carmie Yes, I know this. Your info is not the point.

My question to Kachina was does she have more than Medicare since she only indicated in her post she had been on Medicare for years and never paid a penny.

Had she elaborated in her original post, I would not have asked the question. She indicated that some poster did not know what she is talking about and that she had Medicare for years without paying a penny.

Her post was inaccurate without indicating she had supplemental (in her case) or Advantage.

"" Compassion is a verb."-Thich Nhat Hanh

JeanLouiseFinch · ‎10-03-2011

@Carmie wrote:
@JeanLouiseFinch I worked in health insurance for 25 years doing customer service. I understand Medicare very well.

Ask me anything and I will try to help. There is no one plan fits all and all states are different.

Traditional Medicare Part A and B is a constant...pretty much the same in all 50 states.
Advantage Medicare is all over the place as far as prices and benefits are concerned.

Thank you, @Carmie! I will keep that in mind.

Teddixat · ‎10-04-2010

@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

hckynut · ‎03-10-2010

@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

hckynut(john)

77yangya · ‎06-21-2011

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!!!

CelticCrafter · ‎03-09-2010

@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

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

HMO's are Advantage plans.

ALRATIBA · ‎07-15-2016

I don’t have part D. Prescriptions are covered by my Medicare supplement insurance retirement benefit.

But. I don’t need to take any meds. Just an occasional Tylenol.

Carmie · ‎10-25-2010

@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!!!

I find your comments concerning. If you are over ge 65 and do not have Medicare, hopefully, you are still working have insurance through an employer.

Medicare Part A is given to you are no cost. This is only for inpatient hospital services. Medicare Part B, which is not free, is for services from doctors, ambulance, out patient hospital services and many other services.

You DO NEED Medicare Part B and no it is not free and never was.

Some people prefer to have a different type of Medicare called Advantage. They still pay for Part B, but instead of using Medicare Part A and B, they get their insurance all in one plan. Many of these programs have no monthly fees or a small fee...some are free, but you must have Part B of Medicare to join them.

The commercials are silly, but not bogus. They are for Advantage Plans.

FYI, if you do not take Medicare Part B when first eligible for it, you will pay a penality for the rest of your life if you want to sign up for it in the future.

Please don't feel sorry for those on Medicare. Medicare is a bargain compared to what other people pay for health insurance.

Medicare is worth it, if you need medical services, you do get a lot out of it. The average knee replacement costs $57,000 for each knee. A heart attack can bankrupt you. Medicare is there when you need it and sooner or later everyone who has Medicare uses it.

Mindy D · ‎05-23-2010

@teganslaw wrote:
@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.

That must depend on the state. I have never heard of a Medicare Advantage Plan with all those perks.The Advantage plans I checked out had no premiums or copays but high deductibles. Nothing is free, so the people on Advantage plans probably pay something that is in fine print.

@teganslaw @I have a Florida Blue Cross Advantage Plan and the only premium I pay is the $146 monthly premium that is part of original Medicate. The premium for the plan is $0. My primary care visits have $0 copay. I have dental and vision care. There is a catch though. I pay an annual out of pocket, I think it's around $4500, but it could be more. I also pay copays for visits to specialists and there are deductibles. I also need to see providers that are in network to get the best prices and highest coverage. The Advantage Plans from Blue Cross in my county can be either HMOs or PPOs.