HI! My name is Jennifer and I live in Washington, DC. This is a LONG post, sorry.
I turn 65 later this month. My Medicare Part A & B started on September 1 (they say it starts on the first day of your birth month when you turn 65). I am a nurse and very familiar with original Medicare, but the ads for the supplements drive me bonkers and they do start them early. I am healthy and (knock on wood) take no drugs. I was very upset that I had to buy drug coverage within the first six months or I would be penalized --again I take no drugs.
I found an insurance broker on YouTube who has won a lot of awards and she steered my to a Medicare supplement because you can take it anywhere in the USA and it is portable and no pre-authorizations required. If your treating doctor takes Medicare assignment as payment in full then he has to also accept your supplemental insurance by law. I studied all the different supplements and at first thought I wanted Part G because after the deductible is paid for Medicare Part B--Part G picks up the rest even Medicare excess charges in case a doctor does not take Medicare assignment. But then I found out that Part G will have more and higher premium increases because Part F--which closes out December 31 is no longer open to new applicants.
I opted for Part N It is with AARP United Healthcare ( 30% less than Part G) and covers everything that Part G covers except for a $20.00 co-pay for an office visit to a doctor and a $50.00 co-pay if you go to the Emergency Room. If you are admitted to the hospital then the $50.00 co-pay is waived. I also will have to pay the Part B Deductible. Then everything is covered so long as you go to a Medicare Provider who accepts full payment from Medicare. I do not get sick often and maybe see a doctor once or twice a year so this worked for me.
Be careful with Medicare Advantage $0 premium plans--I looked at those too. They keep taking away benefits (Silver Sneakers for one) and they are often not portable from out side your area. If you get sick when you travel they may not cover you or require a pre-authorization before you can have a procedure done. This can take time, not good if you are in pain or have a heart attack, etc.. If you do not travel much then Medicare Advantage plans are appealing.
Also look at the history of rate increases and how many a year some policies have.
I was nervous, but my broker made it easy and I did not have to pay her --the insurance companies pay her so I had nothing to lose.
Also for those having a hard time trying to find a provider because they have closed their Medicare panels or they just do not participate---try going to a Nurse Practitioner. They will spend more time on you and can do everything clinically that a Doctor can do. They can diagnose, treat and prescribe and will even do follow-ups. We have a hard time here in Washington, DC as most the good doctors do not take Medicare assignment--they don't have to. I use a Nurse Practitioner for that reason too.
I will be glad to help anyone who has a question or a hard time with this insurance topic . Only the Federal government could make it so complex! I, too, like many of you am greatful for the coverage with Medicare at a lower cost. Many people feel they do not have insurance at all with the high deductibles. Medicare is a bargain!
Blogs & Forums
