Quality of Care with Medicare - Page 4

151949 · ‎03-09-2010

Since sign up time is coming my DH added up what it would cost us for a plan F supplement and drug plan vs. the copays we have paid thus far this year with our advantage plan. Our total copays for both of us so far this year don't even add up to one month of premiums for a supplement & drug plan so we are happy to stay in the world of advantage plans for now.

I just picked up my Rx at the drug store this AM - 4 drugs - all tier 1 - 90 day supply of all - $36. And that is on a zero premium plan.

Hooty · ‎03-09-2010

@I am still oxox, I have been on Medicare for 4 yrs., and so far, I have not seen a difference in medical care. Of course with my DH being retired military, I was on Tricare, which is a government insurance, and also use it as my medicare supplement! So far, it takes care of my needs, I have a couple of different Dr.'s, but I have no complaints!

SeaMaiden · ‎03-10-2010

I am on Medicare. My husbands company who he just retired from offers supplemental insurance for me to go along with medicare. I pay about $350 a month for that... and then the Medicare comes out of my monthly check about another $135 a month. I am glad I have the supplemental insurance with Medicare as it is excellent insurance and will pickup anything Medicare does not cover. So, for about $500 a month total I have very good coverage incase any issue arises.

The Medicare is my primary... but the other( my secondary insurance) kicks in whenever needed. It is Primera Blue Cross coverage.

I am still oxox · ‎03-09-2010

@Hooty

I suspect things might change when DH is ready to retire, he works for the Federal Gov't and I think he will get insurance coverage post retirement, just another thing I need to find out

@Hooty wrote:
@I am still oxox, I have been on Medicare for 4 yrs., and so far, I have not seen a difference in medical care. Of course with my DH being retired military, I was on Tricare, which is a government insurance, and also use it as my medicare supplement! So far, it takes care of my needs, I have a couple of different Dr.'s, but I have no complaints!

Stop being afraid of what could go wrong and start being positive what could go right.

blackhole99 · ‎08-22-2013

@haddon9don't blame the affordable care act, lay blame at where it's due; at the feet of the greedy insurance companies, big pharma,etc.

151949 · ‎03-09-2010

@SeaMaiden wrote:
I am on Medicare. My husbands company who he just retired from offers supplemental insurance for me to go along with medicare. I pay about $350 a month for that... and then the Medicare comes out of my monthly check about another $135 a month. I am glad I have the supplemental insurance with Medicare as it is excellent insurance and will pickup anything Medicare does not cover. So, for about $500 a month total I have very good coverage incase any issue arises.

The Medicare is my primary... but the other( my secondary insurance) kicks in whenever needed. It is Primera Blue Cross coverage.

IMO $500 a month is a tremendous amount to have to pay for supplemental insurance, but , of course, a lot depends on where you live.

Where we live all the BC/BS plans are extremely expensive and you rarely hear anyone has gone with them, be it supplement or advantage. I used to work for a hospital owned by Blue Cross and we had the very best plan they offered at no cost to the professional employees. When I was young I never appreciated that.

cherry · ‎03-09-2010

We have medicare plus ,supplemental BC/BS. Though all my husbands woes last yea,r it covered everything. We had a tiny co pay, that mounted to almost nothing

He got heaps of CT scans, and other medical procedures too. Including a surgery by needle

Tinkrbl44 · ‎08-23-2010

@I am still oxox wrote:
As of Jan 2019 I will be on medicare and a supplemental that I have not decided upon as yet. (rates come out on 10-1)
I see several doctors for a variety of things. including an immunologist for CVID which is an immune deficiency, the effects my life. Treatments are monthly IVIG infusions that are very costly

Will my care remain as is it now or will it decline

I am just scared that I will get sick and not get the care I need

thank you all

Thanks all

@I am still oxox

I didn't see a question in your post ..... but I'm guessing you want suggestions? Or just to vent?

I helped a friend with her Medicare decision last year and it's turned out well. Since she has a lot of treatments & MD appointments, she went with a higher monthly rate, but a much lower deductible. Same with prescriptions.

Of course, it depends on what's available in your area, and your state, but there are specialists that can help you sort things out but cannot sell you anything. Nevertheless, you will need to do your homework.

The worst that can happen is that you won't pick the "perfect" plan for you and you'll have to live with it for a year, until you can change it again. Not the end of the world.

BTW .... there are a couple other Medicare threads running on here ... be sure to check those out as well.

Evie2004 · ‎09-09-2010

@151949 same here..one thing to be aware of is that the Plan F will not be available to new members after 2020, the monthly cost will be much higher as the pool becomes smaller, with older & sicker members. The insurance companies are now pushing Plan G.

We hope to be able to continue with our Advantage plan.

sydsgma1 · ‎03-09-2010

@I am still oxox When you are checking out plans, make sure to price out your infusion copays..if any. I am on monthly infusions for an autoimmune disease and was told I might have to pay 20% of the cost..yikes says me... fortunately I was able to remain in my supplemental plan this year that has a small copay.

Things will be changing next year according to a family member who works in the Medicare division for a national insurance company. Costs are supposed to be going up with higher out of pocket costs, even for the Cadillac plans. We shall see.