The Medicare Thread

[Harry]

Maggots be getting old. Multiple maggots are currently age 64, and several will be going on Medicare soon. I’m one of them.

This thread is for factual information about Medicare, including supplemental plans, Part D drug plans, and Medicare Advantage. This shit is confusing….

NO POLITICS !

Our very own Cono Este is an expert on this stuff. Hopefully he will participate in this thread and help guide us elderly maggots through this process.

[stealurface831]

They can help with a drug plan.

[Talisman]

Medicare is easy as it has four (4) parts. Parts A and B are straightforward. Part D has lots of options for a medications including a comprehensive if expensive plan marketed by Stealurface Pharmaceuticals which is based in NC. What was once called part C is only confusing if you listen to an old NFL quarterback on those TV ads. The so called Medicare Advantage is basically a supplement to parts A and B with a managed care approach meaning you have to use "in network" providers our pay a differential. There is also supplemental insurance which costs more than advantage but has more flexibility on medical providers and also some plans have coverage for foreign travel.

The devil is in the details.

This shit is confusing

[Iowagriz]

When is a person eligible for Medicare? 65? Jan of the year you turn 65? Or, on the birthrate or later?

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[Conundrum]

You have a four month span with your 65th b-day in the middle to enroll. Then open enrollment in the fall. There are more specific situations but that two month pre post b-day is the general rule. Cono is the knowledgeable one around these parts though.

[Mazderati]

That's not something you hear every day.

[Timberridge]

Hey you kids, get off my island!

[Talisman]

The coverage starts the first of the month a person turns 65 provided enrollment is complete. Medicare can be applied for 3 months before turning 65 and a Medicare card is needed for applying for part D and supplemental or advantage plans. The Medicare application can be made via the Social Security website.

When is a person eligible for Medicare? 65? Jan of the year you turn 65? Or, on the birthrate or later?

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[Beder]

I started the process in May before becoming eligible in July. It was fairly simple and then I had my local insurance specialist walk me through the options.

I was inclined to reject the drugs bit as I don't recall ever having a prescription, but she convinced me it was cheap insurance to take it.

[Talisman]

As your agent explained there is a penalty for late enrollment in Medicare part D. There is also a financial penalties for late enrollment in Medicare parts A and B for procrastinators.

I was inclined to reject the drugs bit as I don't recall ever having a prescription, but she convinced me it was cheap insurance to take it.

[Danno]

Glad I won't need to check in here for another decade!

[JimmyCarter]

This thread smells like Bengay

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[frorider]

I was inclined to reject the drugs bit as I don't recall ever having a prescription, but she convinced me it was cheap insurance to take it.

Modern health care is dominated by prescription drug treatments. Is there any medical issue a 65 yr old typically gets that doesn’t involve Rx drugs?

[CTR]

broken bones and cancer still typically involve prescription drugs....let alone hypertension, diabetes, heart disease etc

[bigdude2468]

broken bones and cancer still typically involve prescription drugs....let alone hypertension, diabetes, heart disease etc

The sign up process is really easy, much easier than going to the DMV.

We have an Aetna Medicare Advantage plan and its great. Includes drug coverage, $300 allowance for glasses or contacts, $1500 for dental which you can use at the DDS of your choice. Use one of their in network providers and the cost is about 50% less. My wife's DDS was in network so she did not have to change anything and the cost for services went way down. Mine was not in network so I changed to hers, I hate all DDS anyway, I always feel like they are ripping me off. As far as in network medical providers they have plenty of coverage nationwide. I know everybody loves their Dr but 50% of them graduated in the bottom half of their class.

[4matic]

New law with $2000 a year prescription cap changes the choice. Generics cost practically nothing anyway so paying extra when it still won’t cover full amounts is questionable.

Sorry, that’s only low income

“The Inflation Reduction Act will also lower healthcare costs for some people. Low- and middle-income Americans who use insurance marketplaces created by the Affordable Care Act will see a subsidy on their insurance, which was otherwise set to expire, extended. And seniors on Medicaid will benefit from a new $2,000 cap on prescription drug prices.”

[4matic]

I pay $170mo for my fitness club (pool) and I go every day. Premium supplement makes it free so that will be a consideration.

[XXX-er]

I started the process in May before becoming eligible in July. It was fairly simple and then I had my local insurance specialist walk me through the options.

I was inclined to reject the drugs bit as I don't recall ever having a prescription, but she convinced me it was cheap insurance to take it.

I get $$$$ which I had to use but didn't need, so instead of losing the benifit i just bought a pair of Rx Raybans every december but what happens is

you get older

[bigdude2468]

I pay $170mo for my fitness club (pool) and I go every day. Premium supplement makes it free so that will be a consideration.

Aetna provides Silver Sneakers for free gym / heath club memberships. Many YMCA's accept it, I know in SLC VASA fitness does also as well as Snap, 24 hr, Planet Fitness etc.

[Danno]

I get $$$$ which I had to use but didn't need, so instead of losing the benifit i just bought a pair of Rx Raybans every december but what happens is

you get older

you're on medicare in Canada?

[Timberridge]

you're on medicare in Canada?

He's on something.

[El Chupacabra]

He's on something.

Huffing Aqua-seal?

[Timberridge]

[XXX-er]

you're on medicare in Canada?

Been on the IBM cradle to grave pension for the last 17 yars so I been getting 1500 a year no deductible no questions asked

but the point to Beder would be yer in great health when yer young but the you get older the more shit starts breaking down

Not medicare, up here the MD has an ID # and they just bill the HC system directly, no arguing with an insurance company on whats allowable but not everything is covered, the MRI & ACL was covered, x-rays are covered

the crutches were not, the PT was not, dental is not, drugs are not so I have to claim it out of that 1500 $

[yeahman]

I pay $170mo for my fitness club (pool) and I go every day. Premium supplement makes it free so that will be a consideration.

That seems expensive. My club/pool is $45 a month. You get free massages or something?