Medicare

[katjonjj]

Originally Posted by texdav

Sounds liike he has private drug coverage; in which case he would have no penalty if he wanted to join part D later.

True. Part D stand alone coverage is needed when you have a supplement because supplements do not have it. So then you have the payment for part B (this never goes away), the payment for the supplement, and the payment for the Part D coverage. You will pay regardless of whether you use it.

Medicare Advantage plans cover all of it but you are assigned a co-pay when you go to the doctor. So you have to determine what would be better for you and makes sense financially in your situation.

This is why a broker could evaluate your situation and make recommendations. Agents/brokers are prohibited from pressure sales and cannot charge a fee for their services.

[Keeper]

Originally Posted by katjonjj

T
Medicare Advantage plans cover all of it but you are assigned a co-pay when you go to the doctor. So you have to determine what would be better for you and makes sense financially in your situation.

I have BC Advantage and I don't pay for in network Doctor visits. My only complaint with them so far is when I had cataract sugery they didn't pay for all the anesthesia because the hospital billed them using the nurse's name rather than the in network doctor's name. What a PIA.. I had no idea that you have to chose an anesthesist who is part of their plan. You can't let the hospital assign them

I am not unhappy with the plan but my foot doctor was really bad mouthing them because they don't want to pay for othordist (sp). He also doesn't like generic meds and that can get expensive at $60 a pop

[texdav]

Originally Posted by katjonjj

True. Part D stand alone coverage is needed when you have a supplement because supplements do not have it. So then you have the payment for part B (this never goes away), the payment for the supplement, and the payment for the Part D coverage. You will pay regardless of whether you use it.

Medicare Advantage plans cover all of it but you are assigned a co-pay when you go to the doctor. So you have to determine what would be better for you and makes sense financially in your situation.

This is why a broker could evaluate your situation and make recommendations. Agents/brokers are prohibited from pressure sales and cannot charge a fee for their services.

No;when i go on medicare my employer has a supplement that includes drug coverage ;so I wouldn't sign up foir it. I will stay on traditional medicare and take the supplement coverage that pays for drugs and 80% of what medicare does not pay.

[katjonjj]

Originally Posted by texdav

No;when i go on medicare my employer has a supplement that includes drug coverage ;so I wouldn't sign up foir it. I will stay on traditional medicare and take the supplement coverage that pays for drugs and 80% of what medicare does not pay.

Yeah.. nothing like an employer plan... my husband is a union worker and they have that as well. Unfortunately some don't have that option.

[katjonjj]

Originally Posted by Keeper

I have BC Advantage and I don't pay for in network Doctor visits. My only complaint with them so far is when I had cataract sugery they didn't pay for all the anesthesia because the hospital billed them using the nurse's name rather than the in network doctor's name. What a PIA.. I had no idea that you have to chose an anesthesist who is part of their plan. You can't let the hospital assign them

I am not unhappy with the plan but my foot doctor was really bad mouthing them because they don't want to pay for othordist (sp). He also doesn't like generic meds and that can get expensive at $60 a pop

Yeah I shoulda said co-pay or co-insurance costs are what you pay.. My state may have different plan set ups and cost. I shouldn't have made it so general.

It's important to have it reviewed every year so you know what to expect, as medicare is always changing. November 15 is the start of open enrollment so if you find a better plan and your doctor takes it you could switch plans.