FreepeR input about Medicare

self | September 29, 2012 | knarf

[knarf]

I'll be 65 in March and the fliers have started to come enticing me to contact this one or that one about parts A, B, C, D, .... LMNOP....

[ontap]

My supplement picks up all co-pays and deductibles....get the best plan you can afford!!!

[TomGuy]

I posted some information in this thread yesterday regarding Medicare and Medicare Advantage:

Rise in Medicare Rates - True or False?
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/chat/2937717/posts

==

Generally, depending on your state, you can sign up for regular Medicare OR one of several Medicare Advantage plans.

Under regular Medicare the billing goes to Medicare for processing, and Medicare determines the benefits.

Under Medicare Advantage, a private insurance company has contracted to be the billing and benefits agent. Medicare Advantage tends to offer a few benefits that regular Medicare does not offer.

Premium for Medicare is deducted automatically from your SS. If you elect a Medicare Advantage plan, you may pay no additional premium or you many select plans with additional premiums, depending on your situation.

Download the ‘Medicare and You 2012’ for general information from medicare.gov. ‘Medicare and You 2013’ should be available in early October.

http://www.medicare.gov

[TomGuy]

The basic cost, now $98/person/month will balloon to, I believe, $247 by 2014.

That $247 for 2014 is from a false email that has been going around for a long time.

SSA/Medicare has a brochure that shows 'expected' increases. IIRC, by about 2020, it could be around $203.

Unless you get cost figures either from SSA or Medicare, don't trust any circulating emails or political claims.

[Eric in the Ozarks]

I’ll be 65 in January and have been getting piles of stuff in the mail from Mutual of Omaha and nearly everyone else. The M of O looks good as a backup plan.
My mom had a BC/BS fall back plan to Medicare and her last years consumed quite a bit of med care. She passed in June, 2011 and we are still getting statements from BC/BS saying her bills were paid in full.

[freekitty]

AMAC a conservative opposite of AARP will give you the same deal.

[NewHampshireDuo]

To Freekitty and Ontap,

Thanks. Have been planning to join AMAC anyway. Last time I looked at their site there wasn’t too much on supplements but will dig deeper.

Mrs NHD has the AARP plan as that’s what was offered by the agent that’s got my current healthcare. We HATE HATE HATE the AARP and all of their stupid mailings.

[X-spurt]

For regular SS, they will not let you draw even what you have paid in unless you sign up for Medicare.

He, not yet being 65, is apparently on SSI disability. Would seem that Medicaid would go with SSI.

[norwaypinesavage]

I went through this a year ago, and learned several things:
1 The Medicare website actually has some useful information.
2 Part A, hospitalization is the only thing that is "free".
3 Part B, Doctor care, is what costs $100 per month, but is optional.
4 Part D is the drug plan. It is a VERY GOOD idea to get an insurance supplement, which can cost as low as $20 per month, because that freezes you in at a lower rate for future plans where you could have higher drug costs.
Part ? is the Medigap, private insurer plan. Mine costs about $130 per month. AARP sucks you in at a lower monthly rate, but then raises it significantly in a few years. I refuse to use it on principle. Fortunately, my employer (I'm now retired) provides a free service which finds plans for this, with no agent fees. It saves me about $30 per month over friends with agents. I've had a couple of moderately high medical expenses in the last year (the first in my life), and have paid zero in non-insurance costs.

[squarebarb]

bookmark

[NewHampshireDuo]

We just signed up for AMAC.

[Mike Darancette]

Get a good Midi-Gap policy (type F) $0 deductible, $0 co-pay go to the Hospital for a week for heart Surgery $0.

[trailhkr1]

You don’t have to sign up for medicare....it automaticly takes place...you have NO choice!

Uumm no.. part A is automatic but not part B. Many people continue to work after age 65 and on their co's group health insurance so no need to sign up for part B until you actually retire.

[ontap]

Obviously I was referring to Part A since Part B is a supplement.

[jennings2004]

Uuuuhhh, you will note that I suggested the person with the question to refer to an official site for the correct information.

[freekitty]

So far; so good.

[freekitty]

Go with AMAC

[Ben Ficklin]

"so all I have at the moment is less than a thou a month SS"

If you are on a budget the cheapest way to go is the HMO Medicare Advantage Plan. SS gives the $100 deducted from you SS check to the insurance company and you have a choice of plans such as HMO, PPO, or FFS. Depending on where you live there might be an HMO plan without any monthly premiums, including prescriptions. But you have copays. Doctor copay might be $7. Specialist might be $15. Emergency room might be $50, unless you are admitted and the copay is waived.

Go to the SS website, then to the advantage plan page, type your zip code number in and they will display all the companies and the advantage plans offered in you location.