Medicare

carolp99

Still have insurance from my employer. 65 and signing up for Medicare. Will Medicare pay any of my out of pocket expenses?

COBRA666

Medicare
As it is now Medicare will pay a large portion of your out of pocket expenses and they will be very high. BUT if the corrupted OBAMA CARE is allowed to settle in you can expect that coverage to dwindle along with higher monthly payments. Keep that in mind come November election time. The whole present Socialistic administration is corrupt and well on the way to destroying the USA.

miss maggie

Medicare
Hello Carol,

I have limited information on your question.

I have 2 friends who are now on Medicare. One friend has full coverage, hospital and medication from wife's employer. She is still working. I don't think he signed up for medicare?? But, if he did,
he would have no deductions taken from his social security check. He is retired, and gets benefits from his wife's insurance. The insurance they both have is unbelivable. When she retires, her employer covers both of them for life. Hospital and medication, with no co-payments. She works for a hospital, and has union coverage. The union is 1099. There is one catch, they can never move out of New York City. They would never be able to move to Westchester County where I live.

My other friend had to retire from an illness. Medicare is her primary, and her employer is her secondary.

Hope this helps. Maggie

cathyp

miss maggie said:

Medicare
Hello Carol,

I have limited information on your question.

I have 2 friends who are now on Medicare. One friend has full coverage, hospital and medication from wife's employer. She is still working. I don't think he signed up for medicare?? But, if he did,
he would have no deductions taken from his social security check. He is retired, and gets benefits from his wife's insurance. The insurance they both have is unbelivable. When she retires, her employer covers both of them for life. Hospital and medication, with no co-payments. She works for a hospital, and has union coverage. The union is 1099. There is one catch, they can never move out of New York City. They would never be able to move to Westchester County where I live.

My other friend had to retire from an illness. Medicare is her primary, and her employer is her secondary.

Hope this helps. Maggie

Check with your local
Check with your local agencies for help. We have one that will go over health care options with your unique cicumstances, illnesses and perscriptions, etc. They will help you find the best option for you. Medicare vs a Medicare Advantage plan or a medicare supplement, if you are covered under an employeer's plan or a spouses.

Also, the cuts proposed under the healthcare act are to the providers not the recepients. It's aim is to eliminate medicare fraud. It may effect how many providers will continue to provide care to medicare recepients. Some excellent points of the heathcare act, for us survivors, are we can not be denied medical coverage for a pre exisiting condition and there is no life time cap. I would be over my insurance's cap as I have had cancer 3 times and have survived for 23 years with many long term effects from treatment.
It's important to research and fact check the healthcare act to make an informed decision. Many pros and cons to it, making it a very hard issue.
Good Luck

carolp99

cathyp said:

Check with your local
Check with your local agencies for help. We have one that will go over health care options with your unique cicumstances, illnesses and perscriptions, etc. They will help you find the best option for you. Medicare vs a Medicare Advantage plan or a medicare supplement, if you are covered under an employeer's plan or a spouses.

Also, the cuts proposed under the healthcare act are to the providers not the recepients. It's aim is to eliminate medicare fraud. It may effect how many providers will continue to provide care to medicare recepients. Some excellent points of the heathcare act, for us survivors, are we can not be denied medical coverage for a pre exisiting condition and there is no life time cap. I would be over my insurance's cap as I have had cancer 3 times and have survived for 23 years with many long term effects from treatment.
It's important to research and fact check the healthcare act to make an informed decision. Many pros and cons to it, making it a very hard issue.
Good Luck

Medicare
Thanks everyone for the info. Since my cancer is not curable, but remission is possible I know that I'll probably have medical issues for the rest of my life. I did make an appointment with the SS department next month. Hopefully I'll be able to get better informed. Again thanks!

ROF

I was 64 when I was
I was 64 when I was diagnosed and started chemo. I had insurance from my employer. Half way through chemo I turn 65 and signed up for Medicare part A and part B. If you don't sign up for part B when you sign up for A you can be assessed a penalty if you sign up for part B later.

Anyhow my insurance from my employer now is my medicare copay. By having Part A and Part B and the copay I have not had to pay anything. Medicare Part A and B pay first and the copay insurance picks up the rest. Really helps since my share of my monthly chemo bills was over $3500.

COBRA666

ROF said:

I was 64 when I was
I was 64 when I was diagnosed and started chemo. I had insurance from my employer. Half way through chemo I turn 65 and signed up for Medicare part A and part B. If you don't sign up for part B when you sign up for A you can be assessed a penalty if you sign up for part B later.

Anyhow my insurance from my employer now is my medicare copay. By having Part A and Part B and the copay I have not had to pay anything. Medicare Part A and B pay first and the copay insurance picks up the rest. Really helps since my share of my monthly chemo bills was over $3500.

There is a tomorrow
Knock Knock,there is a tomorrow and those rules can and will change as I stated in my last post. Just one swipe of the pen and another behind the doors Executive Order.This insurance is something we all on here really rely on. Without it we are up the creek without a paddle.If you have ever looked at one of your insurance bills you will see what I am talking about. Unfortunately I am not one of the rich people and I rely on that insurance. If you are one of the rich people just laugh at this and go on to the next post.

jimwins

COBRA666 said:

There is a tomorrow
Knock Knock,there is a tomorrow and those rules can and will change as I stated in my last post. Just one swipe of the pen and another behind the doors Executive Order.This insurance is something we all on here really rely on. Without it we are up the creek without a paddle.If you have ever looked at one of your insurance bills you will see what I am talking about. Unfortunately I am not one of the rich people and I rely on that insurance. If you are one of the rich people just laugh at this and go on to the next post.

Laughing but not rich
Hi Johh,

I'm laughing but not rich but I suppose one could
argue that we're rich because we can still laugh
through and after all of this.

Messing with you a little - offering a nugget of
philosophical "truth" wrapped in a hug.

Speaking of "nuggets":

This might make you laugh, John ☺


Jim

Unknown

Out of pocket
What are you calling out of pocket expenses? I am curious because I just started Medicare. So far no claims but I do have an infusion scheduled for election day! Thats why I am voting early. My son is a financial management consultant to hospitals. The question they always ask first is "can I stop seeing medicare patients without being sued?". With $716B coming out of the budget for medicare Drs. Are looking at more patients and dramatically lower re-embursements. Many wonder if its even worth being in the profession. Some are making an average of $50/hr which is less than aplumber charges.

Unknown

Out of pocket
What are you calling out of pocket expenses? I am curious because I just started Medicare. So far no claims but I do have an infusion scheduled for election day! Thats why I am voting early. My son is a financial management consultant to hospitals. The question they always ask first is "can I stop seeing medicare patients without being sued?". With $716B coming out of the budget for medicare Drs. Are looking at more patients and dramatically lower re-embursements. Many wonder if its even worth being in the profession. Some are making an average of $50/hr which is less than a plumber charges.

cathyp

unknown said:

Out of pocket
What are you calling out of pocket expenses? I am curious because I just started Medicare. So far no claims but I do have an infusion scheduled for election day! Thats why I am voting early. My son is a financial management consultant to hospitals. The question they always ask first is "can I stop seeing medicare patients without being sued?". With $716B coming out of the budget for medicare Drs. Are looking at more patients and dramatically lower re-embursements. Many wonder if its even worth being in the profession. Some are making an average of $50/hr which is less than a plumber charges.

GKH?
GKH,

I work for a surgical medical office, of course they are very concerned with the lower re-embursements as well. Do you know the answer to the question that you son's employer has posed if hospitals/doctors/specialist refuse to see Medicare patients? I know now that we do have limits on what insurances the practice takes. What a mess if the profession takes that stance, what options would patients have? Also, I didn't realize that there is a penalty for not taking Medicare part B right away. Looks like I have some homework to do figuring this all out.

NANCYL1

Medicare

I have Medicare and a supplement through AARP, United Healthcare, which picks up where Medicare leaves off. Medicare pays 100% of hospital bills and 80% of medical bills. United Healthcare pays the remaining 20%

I have had Rituxin infusions for Lymphoma. Have had one set of four infusions; four more sets to go. The first set was totally covered: Medicare and United Healthcare.

yesyes2

NANCYL1 said:

Medicare

I have Medicare and a supplement through AARP, United Healthcare, which picks up where Medicare leaves off. Medicare pays 100% of hospital bills and 80% of medical bills. United Healthcare pays the remaining 20%

I have had Rituxin infusions for Lymphoma. Have had one set of four infusions; four more sets to go. The first set was totally covered: Medicare and United Healthcare.

Medicare
Hi,

Perhaps I can answer a few questions/comments. My husband and I are going onto Medicare part B early next year. We have been on part A for several years. You are not fined for delaying Part B if you or you spouse are employed, have continues insurance coverage through your employer and notify Medicare prior to turning 65. If these are all done there will be no penaltys. Our insurance through work does not allow you to use part B as your secondard coverage, only part A. Looks like other plans do allow it.

Medicare does not cover everything. I have a medical condition, Lymphodema, and Medicare will not cover any of the special supplies and garments needed to manage the condition. They can cost in the thousands of dollars each and every year. It is covered by our current insurance. But when they become the secondard insurance it will not be covered, as they only cover what Medicare covers. You need to be very aware of what Medicare doesn't pay for, which is in my opinion a lot.

There is a shortage of PCPs and more and more in our community do not accept people on Medicare. The only way to insure you will have a doctor when you turn 65 is to be in a medical practice before that date. That is what AARP has recommended for years.

Sorry for writing a novel.
Blessings,
Leslie

carolp99

yesyes2 said:

Medicare
Hi,

Perhaps I can answer a few questions/comments. My husband and I are going onto Medicare part B early next year. We have been on part A for several years. You are not fined for delaying Part B if you or you spouse are employed, have continues insurance coverage through your employer and notify Medicare prior to turning 65. If these are all done there will be no penaltys. Our insurance through work does not allow you to use part B as your secondard coverage, only part A. Looks like other plans do allow it.

Medicare does not cover everything. I have a medical condition, Lymphodema, and Medicare will not cover any of the special supplies and garments needed to manage the condition. They can cost in the thousands of dollars each and every year. It is covered by our current insurance. But when they become the secondard insurance it will not be covered, as they only cover what Medicare covers. You need to be very aware of what Medicare doesn't pay for, which is in my opinion a lot.

There is a shortage of PCPs and more and more in our community do not accept people on Medicare. The only way to insure you will have a doctor when you turn 65 is to be in a medical practice before that date. That is what AARP has recommended for years.

Sorry for writing a novel.
Blessings,
Leslie

Medicare
It looks like I have a lot to consider. I do plan on retiring when I turn 66 so I have to look into a supplement plan also. Hopefully when I meet with SS they will be able to help me decide what are the best options for me. Thanks for all the information.

yesyes2

cathyp said:

Check with your local
Check with your local agencies for help. We have one that will go over health care options with your unique cicumstances, illnesses and perscriptions, etc. They will help you find the best option for you. Medicare vs a Medicare Advantage plan or a medicare supplement, if you are covered under an employeer's plan or a spouses.

Also, the cuts proposed under the healthcare act are to the providers not the recepients. It's aim is to eliminate medicare fraud. It may effect how many providers will continue to provide care to medicare recepients. Some excellent points of the heathcare act, for us survivors, are we can not be denied medical coverage for a pre exisiting condition and there is no life time cap. I would be over my insurance's cap as I have had cancer 3 times and have survived for 23 years with many long term effects from treatment.
It's important to research and fact check the healthcare act to make an informed decision. Many pros and cons to it, making it a very hard issue.
Good Luck

Thank You
Cathy,

I wanted to thank you for posting this information. As a 4 time cancer survivor I am very well aware that I would not be able to get insurance with out the healthcare act. I also would be over the lifetime limit. And any of us could find ourselves over our lifetime insurance limit with out this act. I have a friend who is about to undergo an Allo BMT next week. She would not be having this treatment without it because she is way over her lifetime limit. I'm so glad she has an opportunity to survive because I'd hate to think what would happen without the BMT. So again Cathy thank you for bringing this to light.

Blessings,
Leslie

allmost60

COBRA666 said:

Medicare
As it is now Medicare will pay a large portion of your out of pocket expenses and they will be very high. BUT if the corrupted OBAMA CARE is allowed to settle in you can expect that coverage to dwindle along with higher monthly payments. Keep that in mind come November election time. The whole present Socialistic administration is corrupt and well on the way to destroying the USA.

Healthcare act...
Hi John,
My sister has to travel 3 hours to her veterans hospital. Wednesday she went to the travel pay window at her veterans hospital in Roseburg Oregon and was informed that her travel pay was cut 10%. Why? Military cuts that Obama has made in order for him to pay for his "helath care act"/Obama Care. This is just one of the many hidden cuts that will definetely hurt recepients of the new healthcare act. My PCP of 30 years will be leaving his practice if Obama gets re-elected. As it is right now he is not taking any new Medicare patients, which means we will have to find a new doctor as of January when Steve retires. My doctor said many doctors across the country will be doing the same because of Obama Care. Pretty sad. Sue
(FNHL-2-3A-6/10)

Unknown

cathyp said:

GKH?
GKH,

I work for a surgical medical office, of course they are very concerned with the lower re-embursements as well. Do you know the answer to the question that you son's employer has posed if hospitals/doctors/specialist refuse to see Medicare patients? I know now that we do have limits on what insurances the practice takes. What a mess if the profession takes that stance, what options would patients have? Also, I didn't realize that there is a penalty for not taking Medicare part B right away. Looks like I have some homework to do figuring this all out.

Cathy
In general all the big hospitals are preparing contingency plans to deal with lower reimbursements from medicare. Already many of them lose money. I expect to see more and more mergers and acquisitions between hospitals and we can expect layoffs. Its not a pretty picture. The people exempt from Obamacare like govt. employees and certain labor unions will be much sought after by health care providers since their so called cadillac plans are unaffected by Obamacare. The federal employees will be the elite of patients and treated to whole different standard than normal folk. I guess Obamacare is just not good enough for them.

Unknown

NANCYL1 said:

Medicare

I have Medicare and a supplement through AARP, United Healthcare, which picks up where Medicare leaves off. Medicare pays 100% of hospital bills and 80% of medical bills. United Healthcare pays the remaining 20%

I have had Rituxin infusions for Lymphoma. Have had one set of four infusions; four more sets to go. The first set was totally covered: Medicare and United Healthcare.

Rituxan
As of this month I am on medicare with Humana supplement through my wife's former employer. My first infusion under this plan is Nov 6. My first 13 infusions were paid by CIGNA with just a $30 copay. Hope it stays that way!

Unknown

unknown said:

Rituxan
As of this month I am on medicare with Humana supplement through my wife's former employer. My first infusion under this plan is Nov 6. My first 13 infusions were paid by CIGNA with just a $30 copay. Hope it stays that way!

Hillary
Hillary Clinton and I both become 65 on the same day this month. I wonder if she is going on Medicare? Methinks not.

carolp99

unknown said:

Rituxan
As of this month I am on medicare with Humana supplement through my wife's former employer. My first infusion under this plan is Nov 6. My first 13 infusions were paid by CIGNA with just a $30 copay. Hope it stays that way!

Medicare
What is so sad in all this, is that you work all your adult life and try to save a little extra for retirement, then all it takes is a disease like cancer and there goes your savings. I will shop around and try to find an inexpensive, but good supplement insurance to go with my Medicare. Your comments have really opened my eyes as to what can happen in the future with medical issues.

COBRA666

unknown said:

Hillary
Hillary Clinton and I both become 65 on the same day this month. I wonder if she is going on Medicare? Methinks not.

Ha ha ha
Hellno. She's staying on her Gold Card health plan.She even said Obamas Health plan was a slap in the face for the American people when she was running for president. She knew all about it before it was even made public. Remember when Bill was president she tryed to get Hillary care passed. the American people were smarter back then and shot it down.