Best price on Medicare supplemental health insurance (eyeglasses, calculation)

[cynwldkat]

Please share with us your best deals on your Medicare supplemental health insurance for North Carolina. By the time Medicare takes out my DH's $$ for his health care from his SS check there isn't much left to live on much less pay for more health insurance but I did recently hear of some pretty decent prices for supplemental insurance in different states just don't know if they have the same here in NC so if you know of any please share!!

[goldenage1]

Originally Posted by cynwldkat

By the time Medicare takes out my DH's $$ for his health care from his SS check there isn't much left to live on much less pay for more health insurance

There is probably a web site calculation for supplemental plans at Medicare.gov. Exactly which type of supp plan did you want? The are 8-12 different versions labelled A through M.

I am on Medicare, and I have looked at supplemental and never figured it was worth the money. Last year I just paid the deductible and the 20% that Mcare doen't pay out of my own pocket. I am relatively healthy, and figured I don't need supplemental insurance.

This year I bought a Humana Choice PPO plan, which is *instead of* standard Medicare. I pay the 96$ (or whatever) Part B premium to Medicare and $69 to Humana. Humana gives me a drug plan with no deductible, gives me a $15 co-pay for office visits, $35 specialist visit and a $65 charge for emergency visits, plus standard hospitalization stuff. You also get a break on dental care and eyeglasses, plus a free gym membership in a participating health club. For me, this is the best deal!

[cynwldkat]

Thanks for such a fast reply. That actually sounds like a pretty good deal. It is all so confusing to me. I am not old enought to get SS yet, I do work online and both my DH and myself live off his SS and my very limited income. I do have health insurance that is just ok but it's something and I have had some serious problems so I have to have some kind of health insurance. Trying to make ends meet off of one ss check and my small income is pretty hard in todays world. I know we are fortunate as many have it worse. I am just worried about my husbands health and he will not spend the needed money to stay healthy and so I am searching for the best deals. Thanks again for the quick reply and it gives me something to think about! Now to desipher what all these things mean in the Medicare book language! I always felt I was an intelligent person but understanding all the things in the Medicare books and online makes me feel pretty naive!

[goldenage1]

Originally Posted by cynwldkat

I am just worried about my husbands health and he will not spend the needed money to stay healthy and so I am searching for the best deals.

I agree it's confusing, and there are many company's trying to sell supplemental plans. But you have to evaluate on an individual basis what you need. If you suspect your DH may have huge hospital bills, supplemental insurance may be needed.

They don't publicize the Medicare Advantage plans like the Humana Choice PPO quite as much, but I think they are a better deal for some. The $15 per office visit may encourage your DH to use the doctor as he should.

[cynwldkat]

You might be correct. Who is to know what we may need as far as hospital bills etc down the road--praying it won't happen but we are getting older. My DH has some asthma problems or breathing problems so it needs to be looked at but now to get him to go. The lower Dr visit just might be something I will mention to him.

[cynwldkat]

My curiousity got up when my BIL in CA told us he gets his supplemental coverage free! But it's only offered in CA and Arizona. He was telling me how he pays nothing for Dr visits and only a very small portion of his perscriptions. It's obvious each state has their own deals. Of course he has to go to specific Dr.s but who cares at that price! But since I don't live in CA I will try to find the best deal for us here!

[Jkgourmet]

Each county in each state has its own 'deals', especially with the Medicare Advantage programs.

Additionally, be aware that if you voluntarily switch companies after your initial selection of the supplemental insurance, you may have underwriting issues that may increase your premium.