Wellness

[Foxxee]

How does Humana make money if your sister doesn't pay anything, not even monthly premiums?  That's giving insurance away free! 

My parents have a supplemental plan with another insurance company and pay a premium every month each.

Besides the premium, they never had to pay anything extra, no copays, even for expensive ER visits and hospitalizations.  They receive statements every month showing how much their insurance company pays what Medicare doesn't.  So far, it's been a savings for them.  

[Pearlee]

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@Kachina624 wrote:

I currently have an Advantage Plan where I never pay a penny for medical services through United Health.  Up until two years ago my group had Humana with the same coverage.

My problem with Humana was that for some reason, they have a terrible reputation with doctors.  I had two that I really needed who refused to take it, plus one hospital.  There's a lot of prejudice against this company.  It was a relief when we changed carriers.

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@Kachina624  I would think it's not "prejudice" but too many bad experiences previously with Humana.

[millieshops]

@SilleeMee   and your Medicare Part B fee??.

[SilleeMee]

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@millieshops wrote:

@SilleeMee   and your Medicare Part B fee??.

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@millieshops 

Since I don't qualify for Social Security benefits, I pay the full amount of $471 per month where normally it would be $148.50. I'm a state gov retiree.

[cindyNC]

There aren't any physicians in our county who accept it, so it's not offered as an advantage plan. 

We chose standard Medicare as we do some traveling and wanted to be sure of coverage  out of state. 

It's really an individual choice based on where you live, what you do during retirement, what your doctor accepts,  and what's available to you. 

[Kachina624]

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@Pearlee wrote:

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@Kachina624 wrote:

I currently have an Advantage Plan where I never pay a penny for medical services through United Health.  Up until two years ago my group had Humana with the same coverage.

My problem with Humana was that for some reason, they have a terrible reputation with doctors.  I had two that I really needed who refused to take it, plus one hospital.  There's a lot of prejudice against this company.  It was a relief when we changed carriers.

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@Kachina624  I would think it's not "prejudice" but too many bad experiences previously with Humana.

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@Pearlee   Oh, its prejudice alright.  Maybe not racial or sexual but its definitely prejudicial.

[Tinkrbl44]

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@Foxxee wrote:

How does Humana make money if your sister doesn't pay anything, not even monthly premiums?  That's giving insurance away free! 

My parents have a supplemental plan with another insurance company and pay a premium every month each.

Besides the premium, they never had to pay anything extra, no copays, even for expensive ER visits and hospitalizations.  They receive statements every month showing how much their insurance company pays what Medicare doesn't.  So far, it's been a savings for them.  

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@Foxxee 

If I got it right, Advantage plans are more or less the Medicare version of HMOs and the Managed Care insurance model.   The insurer gets a set payment from the govt for every person on the plan.  Some people use their insurance a lot, and others use it rarely, so it seems to balance out in the long run or they would stop doing them.   

[Kachina624]

@Tinkrbl44   Not necessarily.  I can use any medical provider in the world who will accept Medicare.  I pick my own doctor from any source and can see a specialist with no referral necessary.  I've never paid a cent even after having major surgery.  I do pay a copay for my separate drug policy.

[meem120]

Wellness checks and procedures ie mammograms and colonoscopy dont cost anything on any plan.  Im very leery of no cost plans.  I think you have to be very careful before choosing one. 

[meem120]

@Kachina624   They have a terrible rep with docs because they never pay claims without a struggle.  When its a clean claim and everything is in order, there is no reason for a denial.  Yet, this happens over and over again with that company.