Getting medicare costs under control - Page 9

151949 · ‎03-09-2010

@Tinkrbl44 wrote:
@151949 wrote:
@Carmie wrote:
@KarenQVC wrote:
BTW, Plan F starts at about $150 per month around here.
That seems to be in the ballpark of the average cost.

The OP who was quoted a higher fee of around $800 a month for two people with Medicare and Plan F failed to mention that this very high fee was due to them having Advantage and trying to switch. They would have to now pay the penalities.

Health insurance is complicated indeed.
That $800 included the money taken from our SS check, the premium and the Rx ins plus other fees we would have to pay if we did not have benefits included in our advantage plan like silver sneakers and dental and vision insurance.The premuim for the plan F alone was around $200. in the end it is over $800 vs $104. Quite a difference. I don't care what other people choose to buy for themselves - no skin off my teeth, but for us this is a way way way better option. When i was in the office at the hospital signing in to get my knee surgery the clerk there told me that about 3/4 of the people she registers have the same insurance I have.
@151949

Perhaps I misunderstood you, but I thought the $800 was the combined cost for TWO people .... but the $104 is for ONE person. That's a bit of an apples and oranges comparison.

Yes, thank you, you are correct - it is 800+ vs 208. Sorry. Typing faster than thinking - think slowly anymore.

KarenQVC · ‎05-13-2010

I reviewed studies about Medicare costs. Advantage people cost the gov. more than traditional. So the best idea is to eliminate Advantage, I guess.

glorybe · ‎03-10-2010

@KarenQVC wrote:
@glorybe OMG!

@KarenQVC

I know, hard to believe but it was that bad. This has been a few years go when I was on BlueCross/Blue Shield insurance with two children who were sick a lot, nerve wracking to say the least.😳

glorybe · ‎03-10-2010

@Carmie wrote:
@KarenQVC wrote:
I think a lot of people with assets have Plan F/C to protect assets from big hits. These involve in US and foreign travel. Then there are the extra SNF fees.

The plan has worked for me. In the last 3 years I have had 105 medical visits. That doesn't include urgent care, ER, and an emergency operation out of state--plus 2 planned operations in state.

I never had to ask anyone for permision to do anything and I would like to keep it that way.

Believe me, I have no big issues and I haven't even followed up on all referrals or cosmeticish sort of things. I can't imagine what it must be like for an older person who has real issues to deal with bills.
I think people purchase Plans C and F because they are the ONLY supplemental plans that cover the skilled nursing (SNF) coinsurance from days 21 to 100. This coverage is very important in today's world. After three days the hospitals will discharge you unless it is medically necessary for you to be there. You will receive physical therapy, occupational therapy, etc at a SNF

My family member broke her hip last July. She was in two different SNF's from July to October... And spent a week or two of that time in a hospital. She used almost all of her SNF days. She would have had to pay for almost 80 days of coinsurance at $157.50 a day. Thank goodness she had plan F. She is the same family member that I tried to downgrade to Plan C, but couldn't because the cost would have been higher than Plan F with the late penalties.

From what I have personally seen, most foreign expenses submitted by people on Plan C and F are expenses incurred on a cruise ship. Medicare does not cover any charges unless they happen on USA soil or water. Lots of people with limited budgeted funds vacation on a cruise ship occasionally, especially if they live close to a port.

@KarenQVC

@Carmie

Thanks for the information. Some I knew, others I did not. I chose Plan F because, as I have aged, I knew my mild cerebral had damaged my joints and spine and I was going to need a lot of medical care.

Also, my Daughter and I were going on a trip to Italy a year after my husband passed away to see the Country he had visited while in the Navy and also had family ties to.

I fell and broke my hip when we got back to the airport here in the states, but it could have happened just as easily in Italy, so I was thankful I chose that coverage!

glorybe · ‎03-10-2010

@Carmie wrote:
@KarenQVC wrote:
BTW, Plan F starts at about $150 per month around here.
That seems to be in the ballpark of the average cost.

The OP who was quoted a higher fee of around $800 a month for two people with Medicare and Plan F failed to mention that this very high fee was due to them having Advantage and trying to switch. They would have to now pay the penalities.

Health insurance is complicated indeed.

@Carmie

I wondered about that comment, made no sense to me. Now it does make sense. She bragged about that Advantage Plan and let the rest of us who didn't choose it or it was not available to know how much better/less expensive it was compared to other choices.

glorybe · ‎03-10-2010

@Carmie wrote:
@151949 wrote:
@Carmie wrote:
@KarenQVC wrote:
BTW, Plan F starts at about $150 per month around here.
That seems to be in the ballpark of the average cost.

The OP who was quoted a higher fee of around $800 a month for two people with Medicare and Plan F failed to mention that this very high fee was due to them having Advantage and trying to switch. They would have to now pay the penalities.

Health insurance is complicated indeed.
That $800 included the money taken from our SS check, the premium and the Rx ins plus other fees we would have to pay if we did not have benefits included in our advantage plan like silver sneakers and dental and vision insurance.The premuim for the plan F alone was around $200. in the end it is over $800 vs $104. Quite a difference. I don't care what other people choose to buy for themselves - no skin off my teeth, but for us this is a way way way better option. When i was in the office at the hospital signing in to get my knee surgery the clerk there told me that about 3/4 of the people she registers have the same insurance I have.
For $104 a month, you scored a bargain! Just try to stay healthy and out of a SNF if you can, Don't break anything. You should be fine as long as you don't need a long stay in a SNF. That kind of care wipes out the finances of many people.

And pray that your Advantage plan isn't discontinued for you. I am guessing that it is not available for purchase for new Medicare enrollees. None of the Advantage Plans that I am aware of offer all that you have free except for the Medicare Part B payment. And for new enrollees, the Medicare Part B payment is higher.... It goes up all of the time. It's 121.80, I think.

It's funny that you're worried about abuse with Traditional Medicare and Supplements. Do you really think all that you are getting with your Advantage plan is covered by a measly $104 a month? Someone is losing money footing the bill for you.