Trump's win and your social security (relative, raising, smart, activity)
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I think there will be major changes to particularly Medicare, probably involving more people pushed into Advantage plans, but I think they would change Medicare for current recipients at their peril. The problem is the new government in charge may truly just not care but future voters might.
I always thought the Advantage plans cost the government more than the traditional Medicare plan. Am I wrong on that?
Ryan will get his way and "fix" Medicare by switching it to a voucher system. Health insurance companies will get their cut of everything, so there will be less money for actual health care. I doubt Medicare premiums will more than double, and supplemental insurance will roll into one policy, so it will cost you no more than an extra $5,000 a year for Medicare. The average premium increase will probably be more like half that, or an extra $200/month over what you are currently paying.
In my crystal ball, I have $10,000/year penciled in for individual health care as a retiree and I'm often wondering if it's enough. My expectation is that there will be a low cost option for poor people with really lousy coverage. If you want full coverage, you will have to pay dearly for it.
I think Congress needs to have exactly the same retiree health care as all the other retirees.
In my crystal ball, I have $10,000/year penciled in for individual health care as a retiree and I'm often wondering if it's enough. My expectation is that there will be a low cost option for poor people with really lousy coverage. If you want full coverage, you will have to pay dearly for it.
I think Congress needs to have exactly the same retiree health care as all the other retirees.
AMEN to this. Whatever Congresses passes should apply to THEM as well. Why is this so rarely discussed!
The low deductible F plan is already going to phased out in a few short years as it is considered too costly.
F is actually no-deductible first dollar coverage. Beginning in 2020, low-deductible G will be the next best choice with beneficiary paying the Part B deductible of soon to be $183 in 2017. By 2020, that deductible will be well over $200.
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Originally Posted by Sand&Salt
AMEN to this. Whatever Congresses passes should apply to THEM as well. Why is this so rarely discussed!
Because it isn't true. A separate exchange has been set up for Congress and staff to purchase ACA coverage.
Their share of that premium is not low, even though they get subsidized coverage as active or retired employees (of the government) just like any other employer would offer. Actually, their subsidies are bit less than that of a private employer:
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The federal government pays about 72% of the cost of the various health plans available to federal employees or 75% of the cost of the chosen plan, whichever is less. Private employers on average pay more than 80% of the cost of health benefits.
And, although not required, many choose to enroll in Medicare Part B which adds to the cost. It is my understanding govt has finally offered insurance which reflects Part B so some FEHB coverage has lower rates than may be shown on the above link because of that offset.
Overall, from what I've read on this board, health coverage for Congressional and other govt employees - active or retired - is expensive to them. Far more than I ever paid when I worked in the private sector or am paying now.
We really have to give up this idea that somehow Congress is getting something so special - and that it's free or close to free. They aren't and it isn't.
Last edited by Ariadne22; 11-12-2016 at 04:58 PM..
Their share of that premium is not low, even though they get subsidized coverage as active or retired employees (of the government) just like any other employer would offer. Actually, their subsidies are bit less than that of a private employer:
In retirement, as far as I know, like all government retirees, Congress is covered by FEHB and/or Medicare - and those premiums, too, are not low.
And, although not required, many choose to enroll in Medicare Part B which adds to the cost. It is my understanding govt has finally offered insurance which reflects Part B so some FEHB coverage has lower rates than may be shown on the above link because of that offset.
Last edited by Ariadne22; 11-12-2016 at 10:08 PM..
A lot depends on whether Paul Ryan keeps his Speaker job. If he does he will push his reform plans. If not who knows what a new speaker would push if anything. Trump said no changes to SS or Medicaid. That could set up a clash within the party. Trumps team yesterday said something that should give Cogressional leaders pause. He would like to continue his campaign style rallies in states he won. Does congress really want him rallying in their state for support of something they oppose?
That is populism at the grassroots level.
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