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Thanks for your answers. Health benefits were guaranteed contractually for life, thus making this so frustrating. Union does not seem to want to get involved,,more concerned with those still working, which is all too common.
Well, if the union blows off retired workers, how can it expect current workers to have any faith in it? Are new hires required to join the union? Why would anyone join (if they had a choice), if this is how retired members are treated?
Lifetime health benefits guatanteed by my retirement contract, but this is only option
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I dont understand the above statement,if you enroll in medicare A.and B.and pay $499/month yourself ,what does your retirement contract guarantee>
Aetna probably have decent Medicare Advantage,but would require you to keep paying for Medicare A and B premium which is taken out of your monthly SS check.
So next question is,since you never pay into SS,you are not getting a SS check each month,but a pension check,you have to use part of that pension check to pay $499 each month.
Each year,Medicare sent us information on coverages,also recommended list of well rated Medicare advantage providers in your state.
I dont understand why someone said Medicare advantage works better for healthy folks,it has a list of providers you can go to,if you want a provider out of that list,you need to inquire.
My Medicare advantage plan cost me nothing each month as long as I paid for my Medicare premium each month,my general doctor visit cost me $0,specialist $25,urgent care $25 and ER IS $120.
I also get some freebies from CVS every 3 months for minor stuff like cough medicine,aspirins etc.
If I need a ride to medical appointment,I can call LYFT and I pay nothing,I also get free eye exam each year.(these are Mediare benefits)
Lifetime health benefits guatanteed by my retirement contract, but this is only option
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I dont understand the above statement,if you enroll in medicare A.and B.and pay $499/month yourself ,what does your retirement contract guarantee>
Sorry, I will attempt to clarify that statement. The contract I retired under guarantees lifetime retiree health benefits,,but they are only offering a single mandatory change to a Medicare Advantage plan,,no other options. And hence, in my case, the paying of $499 per month(Will go up in the future I'm sure) Medicare premium for Part A.
Each year,Medicare sent us information on coverages,also recommended list of well rated Medicare advantage providers in your state.
I dont understand why someone said Medicare advantage works better for healthy folks,it has a list of providers you can go to,if you want a provider out of that list,you need to inquire.
My Medicare advantage plan cost me nothing each month as long as I paid for my Medicare premium each month,my general doctor visit cost me $0,specialist $25,urgent care $25 and ER IS $120.
I also get some freebies from CVS every 3 months for minor stuff like cough medicine,aspirins etc.
If I need a ride to medical appointment,I can call LYFT and I pay nothing,I also get free eye exam each year.(these are Mediare benefits)
Medicare Advantage group plans offered to retirees by their former employers or unions, generally offer significantly better benefits than the Advantage plans offered to the general public as individual plans.
Medicare Advantage group plans offered to retirees by their former employers or unions, generally offer significantly better benefits than the Advantage plans offered to the general public as individual plans.
then OP should sign up with AETNA medicare advantage then,unless he can find something better on his own.
Aetna probably have decent Medicare Advantage,but would require you to keep paying for Medicare A and B premium which is taken out of your monthly SS check.
So next question is,since you never pay into SS,you are not getting a SS check each month,but a pension check,you have to use part of that pension check to pay $499 each month.
Each year,Medicare sent us information on coverages,also recommended list of well rated Medicare advantage providers in your state. I dont understand why someone said Medicare advantage works better for healthy folks,it has a list of providers you can go to,if you want a provider out of that list,you need to inquire.
My Medicare advantage plan cost me nothing each month as long as I paid for my Medicare premium each month,my general doctor visit cost me $0,specialist $25,urgent care $25 and ER IS $120.
I also get some freebies from CVS every 3 months for minor stuff like cough medicine,aspirins etc.
If I need a ride to medical appointment,I can call LYFT and I pay nothing,I also get free eye exam each year.(these are Mediare benefits)
That's what the Medicare Advantage Plan representatives say. Advantage Plans offer more limited coverage than the alternative. They scrutinize claims, and approve or reject them, so people who need frequent doctor visits, procedures, scans, x-rays, etc., are advised, that Advantage Plans aren't for them.
But this, posted earlier, could be worth looking into, for the OP:
Quote:
Medicare Advantage group plans offered to retirees by their former employers or unions, generally offer significantly better benefits than the Advantage plans offered to the general public as individual plans.
That's what the Medicare Advantage Plan representatives say. Advantage Plans offer more limited coverage than the alternative. They scrutinize claims, and approve or reject them, so people who need frequent doctor visits, procedures, scans, x-rays, etc., are advised, that Advantage Plans aren't for them.
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well,my medicare advantage plan has its own doctors and clinics and labs,we have to see its doctors,so far everyone is good,if we are out of town,it would only pay for urgency visit,so this is not a plan for those who like to travel.
Thanks for your answers. Health benefits were guaranteed contractually for life, thus making this so frustrating. Union does not seem to want to get involved,,more concerned with those still working, which is all too common.
Class action lawsuit may be an option if enough retirees are harmed and wish to pursue. Of course, that can take years - and meanwhile defendant is counting on people dying.
Quote:
Originally Posted by reed303
Jersey,
Assuming you have a spouse, do they have a work history of paying Medicare deductions ?
If so, this article may be of some help re Part A premium.
This is an excellent thought. If OP has a current or former spouse who has enough work credits, he may qualify for Medicare on her work history. One would think whomever announced this change would have alerted those affected - i.e, "you may qualify for Medicare on your spouse's work record."
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