Community Chat

[Carmie]

---

@Bookplate wrote:

This has absolutely nothing to do with traditional Medicare and everything to do with Medicare Advantage plans.  They are basically bribing you to take their inferior plans that do not cover as much as traditional Medicare and a medigap plan combined. It's just another insurance company sleight of hand.

---

By law, ALL Advantage plans MUST cover the same services as Medicare PART A and B.

The payments can be different, but they have to cover the same services.

Plus, Advantage Plans can cover RX drugs, Vision, Dental, OTC supplies, Food, Transportation, health club dues, hearing aids, and they pay you $ to get some services done....like a colonscopy or mammogram and immuzations.

Not all Advantage plans will give you an allowance for the grocery store, but some do...and not all Advantage plans include all the extras listed.

You have to do your homework and check out what is available in your area.

There is no slight of hand.  You get info upfront before you buy.  Some of those Advantage plans are super awesome....but not all of them, the same way some supplements are awesome and some aren't.

[elated]

The Medicare Advantage Plan varies from state to state. I have Anthem Blue Cross which is quite generous. You get $100 every quarter for the OTC, a $500.00 debit card to use to pay for dental, vision and hearing or 60 rides to and from appointments or $150 toward utilities.. You can use to buy groceries if the item you scan is approved in their plan..I found this plan offered many more benefits than United Healthcare. 

I know they keep advertising about Medicare and Medicaid used together for supplemental but I don't know the benefits. 

[Sage04]

@Kachina624  I have a Medicare Advantage plan and I get $75 monthly for over the counter supplies which rolls over if I do not use it. Also $2,500 dental and $300 vision. Don't remember what it is for hearing.

My brother has his plan with a different Company and he gets $220 monthly but if he does not use it he loses it. $3,000 for dental and $400 for vision.

Ans we all pay the same Medicare monthly premium.

They can bribe me all they want (like someone mentioned here) I love it and I have always had a Medicare Advantage plan and would never change. It works for me.

[Sage04]

---

@I am still oxox wrote:

Where did you get the info from I have never heard of this I have had Medicare for 4 years 

---

@I am still oxox  it's only for those of us who have the Medicare Advantage Plan.

[Sage04]

---

@Bookplate wrote:

This has absolutely nothing to do with traditional Medicare and everything to do with Medicare Advantage plans.  They are basically bribing you to take their inferior plans that do not cover as much as traditional Medicare and a medigap plan combined. It's just another insurance company sleight of hand.

---

@Bookplate  I'm so happy with my Medicare Advantage Plan and it's also a PPO so no matter where in the US I go, I'm covered. I'm taking everything they give me. I'm paying for it, it's not free.

Everybody has to choose for themselves.

I forgot to mention my 36 one way trip to my medical appointments. Don't have to drive.

[pdlinda]

@Kachina624   I never heard of it and from what was mentioned on this thread I wouldn't qualify. 

With our Country being $37 Trillion in debt AND medicare $$ dwindling I'm not seeing how any ADDITIONAL benefits could be offered to all recipients. 

HOWEVER, I agree that for people with disabilities and certain underlying conditions whatever extra benefits are offered to them would certainly offset the medical bills that presumably would occur if those conditions were allowed to persist and got worse.

[I am still oxox]

@Sage04 I have traditional Medicare and a good supplement I was advised not to use and advantage plan.

---

@Sage04 wrote:

---

@I am still oxox wrote:

Where did you get the info from I have never heard of this I have had Medicare for 4 years 

---

@I am still oxox  it's only for those of us who have the Medicare Advantage Plan.

---

[Imaoldhippie]

I dont trust the government or insurance companies.  They are in bed together. JMO

[gidgetgh]

---

@pdlinda wrote:

@Kachina624   I never heard of it and from what was mentioned on this thread I wouldn't qualify. 

With our Country being $37 Trillion in debt AND medicare $$ dwindling I'm not seeing how any ADDITIONAL benefits could be offered to all recipients. 

HOWEVER, I agree that for people with disabilities and certain underlying conditions whatever extra benefits are offered to them would certainly offset the medical bills that presumably would occur if those conditions were allowed to persist and got worse.

---

@pdlinda - you know that Medicare Advantage programs offered by private companies, right?  It's not the government handing out the freebies. It is the private companies offering these in an effort to get your business.

[CalminHeart]

---

@Kachina624 wrote:

Does anyone know anything about the Medicare Benefits Card for groceries and medical supplies for which I keep seeing ads?  Supposedly they (Medicare?) Send you a card with which you can get $2500 worth.

Wondering if it's legit?  Theis is the last month for enrollment this year.

---

It's not from Medicare. Some Medicare Advantage plans offer this and it adds to the premium paid.