Medicare Card - Page 3

nomless · ‎03-10-2010

It's crazy to have SSN on the cards. In the next few years, they will redo the numbering and eliminate the SSN. Info is here.

NickNack · ‎03-10-2010

@meem120 wrote:
I think they mean you can get $4500 in prescriptions and then you go into the donut hole. YOU donot pay that 4500..you pay just your generic price for the drug.. For instance if XX drug is $75.00 and your cost is $3.00, that full price of $75.00 go toward that $4500...if you only take low cost generics your prescriptions would cost nothing near that 4500 for the year. As compared to another person who may take very expensive prescriptions, with no generics availabe for a long term serious illness they would hit theyre 4500 in very short time

Thanks @meem120. I'll bet you're right about that. I hope that's the case. It seems very hard to understand.

The Bluebird Carries The Sky On His Back"
-Henry David Thoreau

Tinkrbl44 · ‎08-23-2010

@Nicknack wrote:
I'm just starting Medicare this month, too, and am not happy about carrying around my social security number in my purse. I'm still trying to figure out Medi-Gap and Part D. I take five prescriptions. They're all generic, but it says my part will be something like $4,500 a year for prescriptions. That doesn't make sense to me. Also, the first six months of prescriptions are outrageously expensive, and the last six months are more than reasonable. I'm very confused. I've tried to figure this out on Medicare's website and also One Exchange. I'm going to have to call someone for help with this.

@NickNack

Something is wrong ...... I can't tell if you have a Medicare supplement ... or an Advantage plan .... and do you already have a Part D or are still looking?

Nevertheless, you are paying too much and need to consult with a certified agent ... stat!

151949 · ‎03-09-2010

@shaggygirl wrote:
I'm not understanding, I never carry my medicare card with me. I only have to carry and show the one from my secondary or supplementary.....or whatever you call it. I've had quite a bit of "stuff" done in the past year....cat scan, ultrasound, blood work, angiogram done at the various places I've had go to get them done. No one has ever asked me anywhere for my medicare card, just the other one. It does say on it ConnectiCare Medicare Plans. I remember when I first got the card it specifically said this is the only one I need to use. It does not have a SS number on it.

If they told you that you don't need your medicare card then you have an advantage plan not a supplement.

151949 · ‎03-09-2010

@Annabellethecat66 wrote:
EVERY Dr asks "What is your primary insurance". You are supposed to say Medicare and bla bla is your SECONDARY insurance.

The way it works is they submit to Medicare and they pay and the secondary picks up some of whatever Medicare doesn't pay.

Umless you have an advantage plan - then that is your primary insurance.

Nuttmeg · ‎03-09-2010

@Nicknack wrote:
I'm just starting Medicare this month, too, and am not happy about carrying around my social security number in my purse. I'm still trying to figure out Medi-Gap and Part D. I take five prescriptions. They're all generic, but it says my part will be something like $4,500 a year for prescriptions. That doesn't make sense to me. Also, the first six months of prescriptions are outrageously expensive, and the last six months are more than reasonable. I'm very confused. I've tried to figure this out on Medicare's website and also One Exchange. I'm going to have to call someone for help with this.

Please contact your insurance company.

I like a few sites for information. https://q1medicare.com/

https://www.benefitscheckup.org/

http://kff.org/ and http://www.aarp.org/

KailaS · ‎03-09-2010

I understand your concern. However, it seems that once I was in a doctor's or hospital's system, I just had to show my license. The same was/ is true for pharmacies. The system does get easier.

NickNack · ‎03-10-2010

@Tinkrbl44 wrote:
@Nicknack wrote:
I'm just starting Medicare this month, too, and am not happy about carrying around my social security number in my purse. I'm still trying to figure out Medi-Gap and Part D. I take five prescriptions. They're all generic, but it says my part will be something like $4,500 a year for prescriptions. That doesn't make sense to me. Also, the first six months of prescriptions are outrageously expensive, and the last six months are more than reasonable. I'm very confused. I've tried to figure this out on Medicare's website and also One Exchange. I'm going to have to call someone for help with this.
@NickNack

Something is wrong ...... I can't tell if you have a Medicare supplement ... or an Advantage plan .... and do you already have a Part D or are still looking?

Nevertheless, you are paying too much and need to consult with a certified agent ... stat!

@Tinkrbl44 I just got Medicare Parts A & B and have started looking for Part D and Medigap Part F. I will definitely consult with someone before I sign up for anything.

The Bluebird Carries The Sky On His Back"
-Henry David Thoreau

KailaS · ‎03-09-2010

@Nicknack wrote:
I'm just starting Medicare this month, too, and am not happy about carrying around my social security number in my purse. I'm still trying to figure out Medi-Gap and Part D. I take five prescriptions. They're all generic, but it says my part will be something like $4,500 a year for prescriptions. That doesn't make sense to me. Also, the first six months of prescriptions are outrageously expensive, and the last six months are more than reasonable. I'm very confused. I've tried to figure this out on Medicare's website and also One Exchange. I'm going to have to call someone for help with this.

I also take five scripts. My put of pocket expenses also are quite high. Last year was $7500, with most of that before and during the donut hole or coverage gap. The cost of drugs is based on how much you take, what tier the drug is on, etc. (For instance, I lost most of my pancreas, so I need 185 units of insulin a day. That is a great deal more expensive than someone who needs a generic blood pressure bill.)'

If you are unsure about your script plan, talk to a local insurance agent--in my area, most who offer medical insurance counsel new retirees for free-- and find out which is the best choice for your meds in your state. But some folks may not need the same kinds of drugs that you do, so their sometime judgmental information may be wrong and confuse you.

Good luck.

Daisy Lady · ‎03-09-2010

I am currently going through all this mess and I have found that our county has an "Office of the Aging" that will sit down with you and explain which supplements might be best and which prescription plan would be the best for your meds. It is free and they get nothing for their time. I've found their info to be very accurate and I feel confident that I will make the right choices. They are there to help with the confusion that goes with retirement and answer any questions that you have.

So check with your COUNTY and see if they offer this service. I am so glad I went in to see them.

Good Luck and Happy Retirement!

Daisy