Wellness

[KathyPet]

I thought that supplemental Medicare insurance only covered the 20% difference between what Medicare covered (80% of the approved Medicare amount).  I did not think that supplemental Medicare insurance covered non allowed Medicare charges.  I know I have a Supplemental Plan F which offers the most comprehensive coverage you can get and it still only pays for approved Medicare charges.  

HOwever you indicate your supplemental plan is through your husband's employer so perhaps you have a enhanced plan that does cover things that Medicare does not cover.

[Lindsays Grandma]

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@Vivian Florimond wrote:

I would feel very unprotected without my supplemental insurance, Aetna, through my former employer where I worked for over three decades. Medicare covers up to 80%. In the case of catastrophic illness, or any major surgery, you can be wiped out by that 20%. Aetna is not the best insurance out there but it’s very easy to deal with through my former employer. Claims go first to Medicare and are then automatically sent to Aetna. I just have to wait for a statement and a bill. Of course, with the recent changes in reimbursement to the states, premiums are very likely to go up for everyone.

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I have Aetna supplement insurance Plan F and it has been a God-send.  My retirement from Warner Bros. included the health insurance I had as an employee with UHC  for which I had to pay part of the premium. At the end of 12/13 all retirees were dropped.  I was pretty upset but it turned out better in the long run.  Between Medicare and Aetna for the last fourteen years I haven't had to pay out one cent for medical bills and my Aetna premium was less than the one I was paying through my retirement.  My concern right now is 2018 for which we re facing the unknown.

[Hayfield]

We're not 65 yet but it's just around the corner and our current insurance will become my supplement insurance when we go on Medicare.  My DH is retired we have insurance through his employer and I am also covered.  We will not go without the supplement insurance and the supplement insurance is costing us $500 a month and that $500 covers extra dental and eye coverage since coverage for eye and dental care is very poor and we both have bad teeth and wear glasses, so the extra eye & dental coverage has been worth it for us.  Everyone needs are so different and I wish it wasn't so confusing and to try to recommend on health care policy over another is hard since we all have different needs.  We're fortunate that at the present time our health care premiums are reasonable and we can afford them but who knows what the future holds.  

[Isobel Archer]

My supplemental is Kaiser (through retirement) which is an HMO and so far (2 yrs) I and my husband (10 years) have not had to pay anything (other than the cost of the supplement itself).  My husband had rotor cuff surgery a couple of years ago, but so far we are otherwise healthy.

I am not on any prescription meds, but DH has blood pressure, thyroid and eye drops - and he has not paid anything for those.

So far so good.

[Moonchilde]

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@IMW wrote:

I have Medicare as primary insurance and emblem health as secondary. Emblem Health will ONLY pick up 20% of non-covered Medicare if originally covered by Medicare.

In other words if it's not originally covered by Medicare it is not covered period. I have it in case of major medical expenses. I also have catastrophic coverage with a $25,000 deductible.

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That IS how it works, if you’re not dealing with employer-sponsored retirement benefits. As you say, if it’s not originally covered by Medicare, i.e. “allowable” by Medicare, it isn’t covered, period. Anything paid any differently is not just straight Medicare and straight supplement. 

There are many different retirement benefit plans, and those are individual to the companies that provide them. If anyone has retirement insurance benefits, they need to speak to their benefits rep to learn exactly how/what their plan covers.

[ccassaday]

That is a lot of money. My dad's supplemental is $90 and I believe he has a plan f. Then of course you have the 130 or so that comes out of a SS check. That's just a little over $200. I would check into what your paying because that seems high.

[RealtyGal2]

SeaMaiden -

I have plan G through Medicare and a Supplemental carrier.  If Medicare does not pay then my Supplemental will not pay.  On the flip side, however, the Supplemental has to pay if Medicare pays.

I would call your supplemental and ask your questions to be sure you get valid answers.  Blue Cross/blue Shield has always had good customer service and will be able to help you.

[Mmsfoxxie]

Wow, @ccassaday, $90 is the cheapest supplemental I've ever heard.  In 2015 when I first got mine, it was $156 with plan F.  It went up to $170 this summer.  My Medicare is $104.  May I ask what state you are in?  I'm in Illinoi.

[Tinkrbl44]

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@SeaMaiden wrote:

I am on Medicare now...also have Supplemental premera BlueCross coverage through my husbands retirement package.  Medicare is now my primary....the other is  my secondary.   Same for my prescription coverage.  Medicare and the supplemental coverage.

For those of you you who have a similar setup with a primary insurance and a secondary insurance, how well does this work when say Medicare does not cover something, but, secondary insurance  does?   Wondering if there hae been any conflicts? Bills not being paid.....etc.

I am am paying for both insurances ...together  totaling about  $500 a month .  My husbands coverage is free though his retirement plan.( Thank goodness!)

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@SeaMaiden

WOW, that's really high!   Are you still working, or retired?   Can you tell us just how much your husband's insurance charges for you monthly?   

In our state, regular Medicare and a good supplement policy can be had for about $250, total.   

If I were you, I'd check with a licensed Medicare specialist (free) and ask them if you wouldn't be better off getting a plan that is specifically tailored to work with traditional Medicare.    

IMO, you are paying waaay too much money .... but please check it out.   Just because it comes with your husband's retirement package doesn't mean it is the best coverage OR cost for you.   

[SeaMaiden]

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@Tinkrbl44 wrote:

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@SeaMaiden wrote:

I am on Medicare now...also have Supplemental premera BlueCross coverage through my husbands retirement package.  Medicare is now my primary....the other is  my secondary.   Same for my prescription coverage.  Medicare and the supplemental coverage.

For those of you you who have a similar setup with a primary insurance and a secondary insurance, how well does this work when say Medicare does not cover something, but, secondary insurance  does?   Wondering if there hae been any conflicts? Bills not being paid.....etc.

I am am paying for both insurances ...together  totaling about  $500 a month .  My husbands coverage is free though his retirement plan.( Thank goodness!)

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@SeaMaiden

WOW, that's really high!   Are you still working, or retired?   Can you tell us just how much your husband's insurance charges for you monthly?   

In our state, regular Medicare and a good supplement policy can be had for about $250, total.   

If I were you, I'd check with a licensed Medicare specialist (free) and ask them if you wouldn't be better off getting a plan that is specifically tailored to work with traditional Medicare.    

IMO, you are paying waaay too much money .... but please check it out.   Just because it comes with your husband's retirement package doesn't mean it is the best coverage OR cost for you.   

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@Tinkrbl44  Thankyou for your input.  Might be something to look into.  I also get dental coverage being on my Husbands insurance.  But you are right that it might be a good thing to look into. 

This year I will just keep it as it is  for  2018, as it has been very confusing with my husband retireing and all the paperwork involved.... but, will do some investigative work to see if there is a better supplemental plan out there for me for the future.