Community Chat

[gertrudecloset]

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@chickenbutt wrote:

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@gidgetgh wrote:

On "free" advantage plans, you still have to pay the Medicare part B premium so it's not like you're getting free healthcare.  

And then there are co-pays.

Nothing is totally free.

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Ah, ok thanks.   I knew there had to be a catch.  Medical insurance is never free.    I want to delete the part B and am just trying to figure out how.

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@chickenbutt so you don't need to see docs?  Have tests done, periodically?  Get immunizations?  You have no health issues whatsoever?  You never ever plan to see a doc in office or a specialist?  If you won't ever need a primary care doc or specialist I don't know how you'd know this (going forward).  If you think you really won't need it, then disenroll in Part B and just keep Part A Hospital coverage.  This typically isn't enough for us as we get older though.  

Best of luck to you!

[gidgetgh]

@chickenbutt - I just googled and it gave the number of the form you'll need and it said that in order to drop Part B you'll need to have a personal interview with SSA and they'll ask you why you are dropping it. 

[maximillian]

Just make sure you have additional insurance, PAID FOR BY YOU, out-of-pocket, to cover all the bills that Medicare does not cover. 

[chickenbutt]

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@gertrudecloset wrote:

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@chickenbutt wrote:

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@gidgetgh wrote:

On "free" advantage plans, you still have to pay the Medicare part B premium so it's not like you're getting free healthcare.  

And then there are co-pays.

Nothing is totally free.

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Ah, ok thanks.   I knew there had to be a catch.  Medical insurance is never free.    I want to delete the part B and am just trying to figure out how.

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@chickenbutt so you don't need to see docs?  Have tests done, periodically?  Get immunizations?  You have no health issues whatsoever?  You never ever plan to see a doc in office or a specialist?  If you won't ever need a primary care doc or specialist I don't know how you'd know this (going forward).  If you think you really won't need it, then disenroll in Part B and just keep Part A Hospital coverage.  This typically isn't enough for us as we get older though.  

Best of luck to you!

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Thank You!      Oh, I have medical issues but I take care of what I can (I've actually successfully diagnosed and treated several things on my own) and what I can't I just do the best I can.

I don't get any tests or immunizations (I did get the CV19 vacc) or any of that kind of thing.   

What I need is the money that's going out for Part B.

I did find the form and printed it out but I guess you still have to talk to somebody so I'll have to keep calling.

It's just one of those 'I have no choice' things.   I guess the local SSA office is not open for person to person dealings so you just have to find somebody by phone to help.   I did talk to somebody locally after I couldn't get anybody on the 800 772 1213 number but she said I will still have to deal with that number and just keep calling.  What suks is that you have to listen to 5 minutes of stuff before getting to the point where you can either talk to somebody or (in my case today) not.   Frustrating!

[chickenbutt]

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@gidgetgh wrote:

@chickenbutt - I just googled and it gave the number of the form you'll need and it said that in order to drop Part B you'll need to have a personal interview with SSA and they'll ask you why you are dropping it. 

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Thanks.  I finally found the form on the website and printed it out but, yeah, I still have to get ahold of somebody by phone since the office is not open for traffic, due to CV19.

[gertrudecloset]

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@chickenbutt wrote:

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@gertrudecloset wrote:

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@chickenbutt wrote:

---

@gidgetgh wrote:

On "free" advantage plans, you still have to pay the Medicare part B premium so it's not like you're getting free healthcare.  

And then there are co-pays.

Nothing is totally free.

---

Ah, ok thanks.   I knew there had to be a catch.  Medical insurance is never free.    I want to delete the part B and am just trying to figure out how.

---

@chickenbutt so you don't need to see docs?  Have tests done, periodically?  Get immunizations?  You have no health issues whatsoever?  You never ever plan to see a doc in office or a specialist?  If you won't ever need a primary care doc or specialist I don't know how you'd know this (going forward).  If you think you really won't need it, then disenroll in Part B and just keep Part A Hospital coverage.  This typically isn't enough for us as we get older though.  

Best of luck to you!

---

Thank You!      Oh, I have medical issues but I take care of what I can (I've actually successfully diagnosed and treated several things on my own) and what I can't I just do the best I can.

I don't get any tests or immunizations (I did get the CV19 vacc) or any of that kind of thing.   

What I need is the money that's going out for Part B.

I did find the form and printed it out but I guess you still have to talk to somebody so I'll have to keep calling.

It's just one of those 'I have no choice' things.   I guess the local SSA office is not open for person to person dealings so you just have to find somebody by phone to help.   I did talk to somebody locally after I couldn't get anybody on the 800 772 1213 number but she said I will still have to deal with that number and just keep calling.  What suks is that you have to listen to 5 minutes of stuff before getting to the point where you can either talk to somebody or (in my case today) not.   Frustrating!

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I understand about the premium taken from benefits.  The amount varies by income.  If you plan on living with Part A, I hope you don't need to see docs on a regular basis.  You will have to pay for their office visits which aren't cheap.  Then ofcourse, any testing you might need.  Part A doesn't pay for this.  

Good luck!

[chickenbutt]

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@gertrudecloset wrote:

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I understand about the premium taken from benefits.  The amount varies by income.  If you plan on living with Part A, I hope you don't need to see docs on a regular basis.  You will have to pay for their office visits which aren't cheap.  Then ofcourse, any testing you might need.  Part A doesn't pay for this.  

Good luck!

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Yes, I know.  Thank You.      I'm so mad at myself that I didn't just reject it almost two years ago, when I turned 65 and they had that opportunity.  But I had no idea I'd be dealing with the stuff I'm dealing with now.

[Nuttmeg]

@chickenbutt

Did she explain what part B covers. I recently had cataract surgery and part B paid for 80% and my MAP paid for 20%.

This was $1,400. The doctor billed my MAP $3420.00. 

I also had a pre-op appt and that was $350. I paid a small co-pay for all my visits.

You will be billed at the highest price for everything. 

[northiie57]

I became disabled and widowed in my fifties and social security said if I refuse or deny my medicare Part B coverage, I would jeopardize getting cut off of all money benefits.  I too do not like the monthly premium, but I have no choice.  I wish it was set up where we could choose our own plan on the marketplace, but if you are on medicare, you will be denied.

[gertrudecloset]

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@northiie57 wrote:

I became disabled and widowed in my fifties and social security said if I refuse or deny my medicare Part B coverage, I would jeopardize getting cut off of all money benefits.  I too do not like the monthly premium, but I have no choice.  I wish it was set up where we could choose our own plan on the marketplace, but if you are on medicare, you will be denied.

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There is a Market Place for Medicare recipients @northiie57 .  

Finally, I thought ACA medical was so costly and people complained about it so much (State specific).  You wouldn't save by going through the regular "market place."  You'd likely have to pay more in monthly premiums.