How Good is the Medical Care Provided Under Medicare Really? (health care, premium)

[thrillobyte]

So I'm sixty, my wife is 54 and she'll just miss getting in under the fence when this new Medicare law goes into effect in 2022. Our plan was for me to use my SS to pay for private insurance premiums for her when she retires at 59 until she hits 65 (she's working now and we have good coverage through her employer). But reading a story in Alternet about two women who had to move to Mexico to get affordable healthcare made me think twice. The article describes current Medicare service as "threadbare".

Is it really that bad?

Is that what we have to look forward to---threadbare medical services under Medicare which will only get worse as the years go by because of cutbacks? If that's the case we won't even wait. We'll start making long-term plans to move to a different country, likely Mexico, like these two women and thousands of other Americans have done, and use both systems. If you read the article below note that a one-night hospital stay in San Miguel de Allende for one of them cost $45 and the ambulance "fee" was a donation of any amount. Puts America to shame, if that's possible. Anyway, back to the question: is Medicare coverage really that bad right now that it could most accurately be described as "threadbare"?

Stop the Granny Bashing: Despite What You May Think, Our Seniors Are in Trouble | Economy | AlterNet

[legalsea]

Originally Posted by thrillobyte

So I'm sixty, my wife is 54 and she'll just miss getting in under the fence when this new Medicare law goes into effect in 2022. Our plan was for me to use my SS to pay for private insurance premiums for her when she retires at 59 until she hits 65 (she's working now and we have good coverage through her employer). But reading a story in Alternet about two women who had to move to Mexico to get affordable healthcare made me think twice. The article describes current Medicare service as "threadbare".

Is it really that bad?

Is that what we have to look forward to---threadbare medical services under Medicare which will only get worse as the years go by because of cutbacks? If that's the case we won't even wait. We'll start making long-term plans to move to a different country, likely Mexico, like these two women and thousands of other Americans have done, and use both systems. If you read the article below note that a one-night hospital stay in San Miguel de Allende for one of them cost $45 and the ambulance "fee" was a donation of any amount. Puts America to shame, if that's possible. Anyway, back to the question: is Medicare coverage really that bad right now that it could most accurately be described as "threadbare"?

Stop the Granny Bashing: Despite What You May Think, Our Seniors Are in Trouble | Economy | AlterNet

Yes, Mexico is an excellent choice. You are correct: move to Mexico for the best in health care.

[Ellise]

Originally Posted by thrillobyte

Anyway, back to the question: is Medicare coverage really that bad right now that it could most accurately be described as "threadbare"?

Stop the Granny Bashing: Despite What You May Think, Our Seniors Are in Trouble | Economy | AlterNet

You should probably post this question in the retirement forum, there are lots of people actually on Medicare there who could answer your question.

[thrillobyte]

Originally Posted by Ellise

You should probably post this question in the retirement forum, there are lots of people actually on Medicare there who could answer your question.

Thanks for the excellent suggestion. I will do that.