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Even with dental insurance (carry-over from work days), I just had a single crown replaced at over $1400, with a $400 co-pay. Another doctor is following-up on hearing ... and I had no idea that hearing aids weren't covered. My eyes are good (Lasik several years ago), but, my wife has had considerable eye issues that have all been covered under Medicare/Supplement (except for glasses).
I guess it's about time to start watching some of this type of thing more closely.
I think many do not actually plan for dental like anything else as teeth age. Had a tooth broke at gum line with a crown that had to be reconstructed and bridge done. About 3200 dollars in 2005. Think it might be better titled unplanned for over unexpected. All major medical problems are pretty much not expected but can be planned for.I just saw it has another medical expense that luckily I could pay for thru planning and one that years before would just be a tooth pulled and a gap where tooth was which is what many who cannot afford end up with.
May I ask what the circumstances of these horror stories are about hospitalizations if one was on Medicare?
Side question in_newengland.....are you retired on SS and 65 or over ?
Sorry, but I don't remember the circumstances of the horror stories. It wasn't anyone I knew personally but I heard it from a friend who knew this couple. I think the husband ended up dying and the wife was left with terrible medical expenses from his illness. At the time I don't think I was even on Medicare yet so I didn't pay that much attention.
To answer your other question, yes I am over 65, retired and on SS and Medicare. I'm fine with it but people shouldn't expect it to cover everything.
I think dental is the worst expense, it is for me anyway. The endless crowns and the expensive six month check ups where they always find something else wrong. It's nothing new though because I seldom had dental coverage when I was working. I've always said that if I'd let my teeth go bad I could have traveled the world many times. lol
The online eye glasses are a great deal. I can't use it because my prescription is too high. I also tried getting glasses at Walmart one time and it came to the exact same price as it does at the optician. Special lenses for high prescriptions didn't turn out to be any cheaper at Walmart. Then it's $100 it you don't want "the line" and $100 for Varliux. I also pay several hundred $$ for high index lenses or else they would be so thick they wouldn't fit into the frames! My eyes were always too problematic for Lasik so I'm stuck. I'm used to it.
Sorry, but I don't remember the circumstances of the horror stories. It wasn't anyone I knew personally but I heard it from a friend who knew this couple. I think the husband ended up dying and the wife was left with terrible medical expenses from his illness. At the time I don't think I was even on Medicare yet so I didn't pay that much attention.
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So, actually, you personally know of no medical financial 'horror stories' of people on Medicare.
In that case, may I suggest you needn't spend too much time worrying about it.( Not to mention, not repeating it)
And for anybody else that read what you wrote, neither should they....not on that basis anyway.
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Yep, intned to use them for my glasses too. Just like the hearing aids.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Caladium
Costco is a great deal for eyeglasses, in fact I think it's the best price in town. My husband has severe nystagmus and we were afraid to try Costco for years because his prescription is tricky. Instead we used a pricey place that our ophthalmalogist liked. Unfortunately they messed up his prescription a few times and we had to keep returning his glasses to get it right. Tried Costco on the advice of a friend, and to our surprise they got it right the first time. We've now gotten glasses from them twice, and have been happy both times. Don't know if we just got lucky, but I can say we're really happy with Costco's eyeglasses right now.
Of course. Every day is full of all sorts of surprises. Those classified and not.
Quote:
Originally Posted by saralvr
These are just medical expenses that are surprises...what about everyday life surprise expenses? I am not retired yet, but last month had to replace all 4 tires in my 2.5 y/o car. On Monday I had to buy a new furnace, ($6000). And I also do not have eye coverage and need new glasses almost yearly now for the past several years as my eyes are constantly changing. Several hundred at least for them. So, yes, we have to be prepared for these budget busters. But, that is whether or not we are in retirement. Just hurts more when we are on a fixed budget.
Thanks for the reminder that not all medical expenses are covered. In the back of my mind, part of the plan was to save Medicare Part B payments after I retire until age 65. This, plus any deductibles not used, would be used for any medical expenses not covered. I better make sure I follow through on the plan.
So, actually, you personally know of no medical financial 'horror stories' of people on Medicare.
In that case, may I suggest you needn't spend too much time worrying about it.( Not to mention, not repeating it)
And for anybody else that read what you wrote, neither should they....not on that basis anyway.
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Many seniors carry only Medicare and no supplemental from working days and no supplemental purchased. Without that, one can easily see how expenses not covered by Medicare can be huge, depending on the amount of the expense. Also if certain needed specialists do not accept Medicare.
Thanks for the reminder that not all medical expenses are covered. In the back of my mind, part of the plan was to save Medicare Part B payments after I retire until age 65. This, plus any deductibles not used, would be used for any medical expenses not covered. I better make sure I follow through on the plan.
Parts A & B do not kick in until you reach 65. As you probably know, A is free. B is what you pay for or get deducted from SS. For every month after your 65th birthday that you decline B, you are penalized retro if you decide you ever want it. I am signing on to a supplemental plan as Medicare has its limits in coverage.
Parts A & B do not kick in until you reach 65. As you probably know, A is free. B is what you pay for or get deducted from SS. For every month after your 65th birthday that you decline B, you are penalized retro if you decide you ever want it. I am signing on to a supplemental plan as Medicare has its limits in coverage.
Yup, I do know that. In my plan, I included Part B costs from the day I retire, knowing it would be a while before we actually paid them. It would be a medical reserve fund for expenses not covered. We're lucky enough to have coverage before Medicare kicks in which becomes supplemental. Now I just need to be certain to create the reserve fund.
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