Medicare and chemo

MOE58 said:

I CAN HELP YOU
Well I work in the medical insurance field, so sit down and have a cup of coffee while reading this you just might need it.

First off stay with Medicare A&B, DO NOT GO TO AN HMO!!!! and yes usually they will pay for chemo, as its considered Part B, Part B is like for doctors visits, and etc. Usually all places will take this, you don't have to be authorized you can go anywhere and anyplace with straight medicare.

Many people who go on medicare get talked into taking a HMO, for instance like Pacificare, Humana and Humana GOLD etc, anything HMO you will not get to make choices, you will have to go strictly what they say. DON'T get me wrong they are good but you don't have choices on ANY HMO'S say coming to CANCER CENTER TREATMENT here in Oklahoma you just turn in the info and you get great care, you tell them you have a HMO and you get put on a back burner.

Yes you will need a supplement not only for his chemo but for all circumstances, If Dale is ever a inpatient in the hospital you do have a deductible to meet for hospital stay and I think (might be different now) its around 600-800 a per calendar year, for PART B you have a 200 deductible, now 2nd insurance won't pay for the deductilbe but they will pay for anything you owe after its met say for example you have a doctor visit with lab and lab is expensive say your bill is 400.00 medicare pays 300.00 then your supplement will come in and USUALLY pay the balance there is circumstances but usually always.

Medicare is a little more expensive than an HMO and some people fiancially have to take that option, but if you can please stick with medicare.

Now recommendations for the best is BLUE CROSS AND BLUE SHIELD, AARP,

Please when you take out the 2nd insurance policy please let them know he was covered on your previous policy and make sure you do this within 30 days after you retire, as you will need to provide a letter which is called "CREDITABLE COVERAGE LETTER" with this letter they cannot hold any pre-existing conditions againist you or him, and with his cancer you would need this. ITS VERY IMPORTANT!!!! you have this all in place before you retire or close to it.

Medicare will pay the allowable charges, and the doctor has a portion they have to write off and cannot bill you the difference UNLESS !!! you have signed an ABN which is if you choose to have the test the doctor orders and you sign it understanding that medicare may or may not pay for it.

Medicare will not pay for routine visits coded with a V700.0 so always make sure your doctor does not use this code on his requistions.

I hope I have helped you on your quesitons regarding insurance and please if you have anything further please ask i have all the details since i do this for a living.

take care
Lori