Question for Medicare People - Page 11

pitdakota · ‎03-16-2010

@BalletBabe wrote:
What is the purpose of this Welcome to Medicare exam. Seriously???

The purpose of the Welcome to Medicare exam is to offer services that are preventative in nature that in the past Medicare did not necessarily cover exculsively. It is covered under Part B Medicare. It might include a cognitive assessment, physical mobility assessment, immunization status, etc. to document upon entering the Medicare system what futher services you might or might not need.

In the United States as long as you are legally competent,medical care or medical testing cannot be forced upon you by your family, a doctor, or a health insurance provider. If you don't want an ECG, no problem. Just decline. Easy.

The emphasis of the exam is to place a focus on primary and secondary levels of prevention and has been quite successful.

I would have second thoughts about a doctor's office that states they don't like doing these exams because it takes time away from sick people. I won't even go into the number of cases of prostate cancers that have been diagnosed because the primary md performed an exam since a male patient entering medicare had not had an exam before. And the earlier anything is detected and diagnosed, the better the chance for a more positive outcome.

Screening & early identification of health problems is just as important as taking care of sick people. In fact, some view it as being more important since it doesn't involve waiting for people to get sick and cost tens of thousands of dollars to treat when it could have been identified earlier and successfully treated at a reduced expense to everyone.

* Freedom has a taste the protected will never know *

Spurt · ‎03-20-2010

@151949 wrote:
@Spurt - when I read something like this "report" my first thought is - what is this person writing this agenda? No one starts a web page without an agenda - it is done to make money. Just because you read it on the internet does not make it true.

@151949

No one knows that better than me, but this is an impartial consumer blog that reports on many consumer issues, and the reviews are what was interesting...written by customers who signed up and have used the insurance and have been verified. And I'm sure the customers did not have to pay anything to make their opinions known....

It was also mentioned that AARP also almost lost their non-profit status for charging 5% higher for the supplement and making people pay for a membership/magazine subscription before customers could purchase their insurance....

Animals are reliable, full of love, true in their affections, grateful. Difficult standards for people to live up to.”

Spurt · ‎03-20-2010

@151949 wrote:
AARP is not an insurance company --they do act similarly to an insurance agent in that they do the research about many companies and chose to recommend those who they believe to be the best choices for their members.They also educate their members about many things of interest to seniors like medicare and supplements and advantage plans, or about reverse mortgages or paying for skilled nursing care or how to find an investment broker. These are things that are important to seniors & which many people don't know anything about - but need to. They also recommend companies to help you save money or make better purchasing choices like electronics as seniors generally are not highly knowledgeable about these topics. I bought my first Tracfone on the recommendation from AARP. When I retired I lost my life ins. as it was connected to my job - I called AARP and got an affordable policy. We orginally joined AARP when we each turned 50 so we could buy LTC insurance - we have a great policy at a very reasonable rate thru Met Life because of AARP, who not only recommended this policy & sold it to us but first educated us about this policy and what all it covers by sending us a video and inviting us to join in an online tutorial about it. OMG they do so much more than just sell insurance - first and most important - they educate you about it first. You are well aware of the good & the bad before you sign on the dotted line. When DH retired we wanted to find a broker to move our IRA to - & they sent us information about how to go about finding someone and what to look for & ask when you first interview him.

@151949

And AARP does all this because of the kindness of their hearts I imagine.......hmmmm....just like you said about the blog having to have an agenda...so what is AARP's real agenda???????????

Animals are reliable, full of love, true in their affections, grateful. Difficult standards for people to live up to.”

Carmie · ‎10-25-2010

@151949 wrote:
AARP is not an insurance company --they do act similarly to an insurance agent in that they do the research about many companies and chose to recommend those who they believe to be the best choices for their members.They also educate their members about many things of interest to seniors like medicare and supplements and advantage plans, or about reverse mortgages or paying for skilled nursing care or how to find an investment broker. These are things that are important to seniors & which many people don't know anything about - but need to. They also recommend companies to help you save money or make better purchasing choices like electronics as seniors generally are not highly knowledgeable about these topics. I bought my first Tracfone on the recommendation from AARP. When I retired I lost my life ins. as it was connected to my job - I called AARP and got an affordable policy. We orginally joined AARP when we each turned 50 so we could buy LTC insurance - we have a great policy at a very reasonable rate thru Met Life because of AARP, who not only recommended this policy & sold it to us but first educated us about this policy and what all it covers by sending us a video and inviting us to join in an online tutorial about it. OMG they do so much more than just sell insurance - first and most important - they educate you about it first. You are well aware of the good & the bad before you sign on the dotted line. When DH retired we wanted to find a broker to move our IRA to - & they sent us information about how to go about finding someone and what to look for & ask when you first interview him.

I don't think they research insurance companies to recommend good ones for their members.

They recommend insurance companies that they are contracted with to line their pockets. The companies they do business with are good, but not any better than most others.

I have found that the information they offer is out there everywhere. I got a free subscription to AARP for one year. The magazine was nice, but I didn't learn anything I already didn't know.

i didn't pay to renew. There was nothing there for me. Most of what they publish is common sense.

KarenQVC · ‎05-13-2010

The mission of the AARP is to provide support, education, and advocacy for low and middle income seniors. For the most part rich (as in 1-2%) do not benefit from their positions.

Carmie · ‎10-25-2010

@Spurt wrote:
@151949 wrote:
@Spurt - when I read something like this "report" my first thought is - what is this person writing this agenda? No one starts a web page without an agenda - it is done to make money. Just because you read it on the internet does not make it true.
@151949

No one knows that better than me, but this is an impartial consumer blog that reports on many consumer issues, and the reviews are what was interesting...written by customers who signed up and have used the insurance and have been verified. And I'm sure the customers did not have to pay anything to make their opinions known....

It was also mentioned that AARP also almost lost their non-profit status for charging 5% higher for the supplement and making people pay for a membership/magazine subscription before customers could purchase their insurance....

My older sister had a Medicare supplement with United Health Care through AARP. She purchased Plan F. Because she lives in the state of PA, that plan,is not needed. Plan C, a lower Plan would be better.

i called the number on the back of her card to try to downgrade her coverage. I pressed the buttons at the prompts and told the rep what I wanted to do. She said that in order to change coverage, my sister would have to activate her AARP membership which was lapsed. So, I paid for it over the phone with my cc. The rep reminded me several times during the call that the AARP membership was not refundable.

Then she transferred me to another rep to do the downgrade who told me that Plan C Would now cost more than Plan H because the price is higher because of the time lapse from her Medicare Part B eligibility.....even though the benefits were less comprehensive.

So, we didn't change the coverage. It was too expensive to downgrade. I paid the fee for her AARP for nothing. I figured out why the rep at AARP kept telling me the fee was not refundable.

The rep at AARP should have told me the the poop before I ponied up the money.

151949 · ‎03-09-2010

@Carmie wrote:
@Spurt wrote:
@151949 wrote:
@Spurt - when I read something like this "report" my first thought is - what is this person writing this agenda? No one starts a web page without an agenda - it is done to make money. Just because you read it on the internet does not make it true.
@151949

No one knows that better than me, but this is an impartial consumer blog that reports on many consumer issues, and the reviews are what was interesting...written by customers who signed up and have used the insurance and have been verified. And I'm sure the customers did not have to pay anything to make their opinions known....

It was also mentioned that AARP also almost lost their non-profit status for charging 5% higher for the supplement and making people pay for a membership/magazine subscription before customers could purchase their insurance....
My older sister had a Medicare supplement with United Health Care through AARP. She purchased Plan F. Because she lives in the state of PA, that plan,is not needed. Plan C, a lower Plan would be better.

i called the number on the back of her card to try to downgrade her coverage. I pressed the buttons at the prompts and told the rep what I wanted to do. She said that in order to change coverage, my sister would have to activate her AARP membership which was lapsed. So, I paid for it over the phone with my cc. The rep reminded me several times during the call that the AARP membership was not refundable.

Then she transferred me to another rep to do the downgrade who told me that Plan C Would now cost more than Plan H because the price is higher because of the time lapse from her Medicare Part B eligibility.....even though the benefits were less comprehensive.

So, we didn't change the coverage. It was too expensive to downgrade. I paid the fee for her AARP for nothing. I figured out why the rep at AARP kept telling me the fee was not refundable.

The rep at AARP should have told me the the poop before I ponied up the money.

I really don't understand what you were trying to do - if you were changing her policy during the sign up period in the fall, there is no charge to do that. Anyone can change to any policy they want during that period. However, for the remainder of the year you can't just change your policy at any old time you want to. That is part of the medicare law - not AARP. And AARP does not require you to be a member to buy their insurance.

Our insurance agent that we buy our AARP advantage plan thru reps every insurance that is availablle in our county except BC/BS . He knows them all and he gets paid no matter which you buy -but he & his wife have UHC advantage plans and he most highly recommends them to his clients.

151949 · ‎03-09-2010

@151949 wrote:
@Carmie wrote:
@Spurt wrote:
@151949 wrote:
@Spurt - when I read something like this "report" my first thought is - what is this person writing this agenda? No one starts a web page without an agenda - it is done to make money. Just because you read it on the internet does not make it true.
@151949

No one knows that better than me, but this is an impartial consumer blog that reports on many consumer issues, and the reviews are what was interesting...written by customers who signed up and have used the insurance and have been verified. And I'm sure the customers did not have to pay anything to make their opinions known....

It was also mentioned that AARP also almost lost their non-profit status for charging 5% higher for the supplement and making people pay for a membership/magazine subscription before customers could purchase their insurance....
My older sister had a Medicare supplement with United Health Care through AARP. She purchased Plan F. Because she lives in the state of PA, that plan,is not needed. Plan C, a lower Plan would be better.

i called the number on the back of her card to try to downgrade her coverage. I pressed the buttons at the prompts and told the rep what I wanted to do. She said that in order to change coverage, my sister would have to activate her AARP membership which was lapsed. So, I paid for it over the phone with my cc. The rep reminded me several times during the call that the AARP membership was not refundable.

Then she transferred me to another rep to do the downgrade who told me that Plan C Would now cost more than Plan H because the price is higher because of the time lapse from her Medicare Part B eligibility.....even though the benefits were less comprehensive.

So, we didn't change the coverage. It was too expensive to downgrade. I paid the fee for her AARP for nothing. I figured out why the rep at AARP kept telling me the fee was not refundable.

The rep at AARP should have told me the the poop before I ponied up the money.
I really don't understand what you were trying to do - if you were changing her policy during the sign up period in the fall, there is no charge to do that. Anyone can change to any policy they want during that period. However, for the remainder of the year you can't just change your policy at any old time you want to. That is part of the medicare law - not AARP. And AARP does not require you to be a member to buy their insurance.
Our insurance agent that we buy our AARP advantage plan thru reps every insurance that is availablle in our county except BC/BS . He knows them all and he gets paid no matter which you buy -but he & his wife have UHC advantage plans and he most highly recommends them to his clients.

Also , when you called the number on the back of her card you were calling UHC not AARP.

BalletBabe · ‎03-05-2011

@Carmie wrote:
@BalletBabe wrote:
@Spurt wrote:
@BalletBabe wrote:
@Q4u wrote:
@BalletBabe wrote:
What is the purpose of this Welcome to Medicare exam. Seriously???

"The "Welcome to Medicare" physical exam is a one-time, preventive physical exam Medicare covers within the first 12 months that you have Medicare Part B. The visit will include a thorough review of your health, along with education and counseling about the preventive services you need, like certain screenings, shots, ..."

https://www.medicare.gov/people-like-me/new-to-medicare/welcome-to-medicare-visit.html

It's just a general evaluation/physical exam by your doctor that is fully covered by Medicare.... kind of like a baseline evaluation at the time you're starting Medicare. No biggee and you're probably getting a yearly exam anyway....
Thanks for the information. Seriously wewent over all of this stuff today. He made the comment to me that it gives him a better grade. In other words they like the Dr to do this.    That is his problem. He has all the informtaion you just mentioned.   Then he said someting about a ekg and ultra sound.   I don't think so. Till I have a problem leave me alone.   Those tests are not covered according to AARP under the wellness exam. I am not sure what he is trying to pull.   $$$$$$$   I had a full blood work done last week and he went over all results which were all good.
@BalletBabe

If you have AARP that explains it, they are part of the "food chain" in health care----translation---follow the money$$$$, and they are against changes that will put healthcare back with the patient where it belongs (patient decides what tests are necessary etc).....research AARP and see....they received 1 billion in insurance profits, and another 1.8 billion that it generated from its business interests.....check out in Forbes website....cant say more it would be deemed political which isnt allowed on this forum. All I can say they be more of an advocate for themselves instead of seniors...

@Spurt You are correct. I hate to tell them, but if they are going to irritate me, I will be looking for another plan at the end of the year. Thanks for your input ! Appreciate it. I had forgotten abut them in with the ex President. I do think the Dr's are making out good with all of this as well. The nurse told me my Dr. hates doing these because it takes time away from sick patients.

If he was a new Dr. and didn't know me that would be different. The only thing he don't have is a EKG. I just saw him this week. So I was blown away when he wants to do this in June. Then when I call ins. they say you have a year and it is not required. I think snowbirds are not here so lets drum up some business for the Summer. :0/
This doesn't sound like an AARP problem to me. It sounds like someone has a HMO Medicare Advantage Plan. All HMO's are like that.

I do not have HMO and I never will. It is a PPO, so I can go to any Dr as long as they are in networt.

CelticCrafter · ‎03-09-2010

@Carmie wrote:
@151949 wrote:
AARP is not an insurance company --they do act similarly to an insurance agent in that they do the research about many companies and chose to recommend those who they believe to be the best choices for their members.They also educate their members about many things of interest to seniors like medicare and supplements and advantage plans, or about reverse mortgages or paying for skilled nursing care or how to find an investment broker. These are things that are important to seniors & which many people don't know anything about - but need to. They also recommend companies to help you save money or make better purchasing choices like electronics as seniors generally are not highly knowledgeable about these topics. I bought my first Tracfone on the recommendation from AARP. When I retired I lost my life ins. as it was connected to my job - I called AARP and got an affordable policy. We orginally joined AARP when we each turned 50 so we could buy LTC insurance - we have a great policy at a very reasonable rate thru Met Life because of AARP, who not only recommended this policy & sold it to us but first educated us about this policy and what all it covers by sending us a video and inviting us to join in an online tutorial about it. OMG they do so much more than just sell insurance - first and most important - they educate you about it first. You are well aware of the good & the bad before you sign on the dotted line. When DH retired we wanted to find a broker to move our IRA to - & they sent us information about how to go about finding someone and what to look for & ask when you first interview him.
I don't think they research insurance companies to recommend good ones for their members.

They recommend insurance companies that they are contracted with to line their pockets. The companies they do business with are good, but not any better than most others.

I have found that the information they offer is out there everywhere. I got a free subscription to AARP for one year. The magazine was nice, but I didn't learn anything I already didn't know.

i didn't pay to renew. There was nothing there for me. Most of what they publish is common sense.

And all for the cost of a one year membership, you can be buried in junk mail for the rest of your life.....