Medicare, what are your priorities?

[Stinky The Clown]

There are these discussions going on about expanding Medicare. Adding dental, vision, and maybe hearing. Lowering the age from 65 to 60.

We all know there is little chance of all of that getting done any time soon. So put it in some priority order.

For me it is lowering the age of eligibility. After that, in order, are dental, vision, then hearing. Everyone needs dental care. Many of us wear glasses, fewer of us need hearing aids.

How do you rank them?

[SheltieLover]

1. Dental, vision, then hearing

But I'd read dental will not be abailable until 2027.

Dental is so critical to good health & so many seniors are suffering.

[XanaDUer2]

2. Lowering the age to 55

then adding benefits

I'd also like more messaging from the White House on what they are doing

Raising payments for recipients

[SheltieLover]

5. I could be wrong, but I think

those approved for SSDI automatically get Medicare, but it might only be the hospitalization coverage (under the age limit).

Pretty sure SSDI covers both parts of Medicare, though.

[XanaDUer2]

8. Hey girl!

I thought it took 2 yrs to get on it. Hope I'm wrong

[SheltieLover]

10. Maybe. Not sure.

Maybe others will know.

Hru?

[XanaDUer2]

32. Had my interview today

for long-term disability. If I get ssdi, I'll have to pay the company back

[SheltieLover]

34. How did the interview go?

Was it with a doctor?

[SheltieLover]

35. Most likely

The reason you would have to pay it back is because when you file for ssdi, when it is approved, they will pay from the date you filed. 👍

[XanaDUer2]

36. No a case worker

I explained my situation, yadda, little concerned about paying money back. These companies are a ravket

[SheltieLover]

37. Well

If they didn't make you pay it back, you would be paid by both ssdi & lt disability for the same time period.

Possibly, in your paperwork, there might have been a release for ssa to repay them directly when you are approved. Not sure, but it seems reasonable.

[XanaDUer2]

38. You always have good input

I just get nervous when someone tells me they have a repayment plan due to payback being difficult

[SheltieLover]

40. Thx

A repayment plan? 😱🤬

You will get a likely sizeable SSDI payout by the time it is approved.

If you owe them, pay them, but make them show you in the policy where it says this is required.

Anyway, the LT disability should lessen anxiety about income. 👍

[SheltieLover]

39. Of course they are a racket

But neither LT disability nor SSDI will pay full wages.

If they didn't make you pay it back, you could eventually have full pay for that period. qpuke rules say we must suffer.

Ridiculous, really, because I'm guessing you paid a pretty penny for the LT disability insurance.

But it will give you $ to live on while SSDI is processed.

[jimfields33]

23. Raising it to match social security benefits so no one has to pay out of pocket

Many with obamacare will see an increase in their monthly payment.

[XanaDUer2]

26. I'm out of a job due to disability

so scared about affording and keeping my health insurance.

[hamsterjill]

3. Sorry, I want it all.

I’ll turn 63 late this year and Biden campaigned on lowering the age for Medicare, so I’m not giving up. The rest should all fall under “health care”. It’s absurd that the definition hasn’t been refined in decades.

Yes, I know. I expect a lot.

[MiHale]

4. Dental is most important...

So many other problems are found by dentists.

https://arlingtontexasdentist.net/diseases-that-a-good-dentist-can-detect-list/


Diabetes – fruity bad breath, gum disease, or bleeding gums.

Leukemia – swollen or bleeding gums, oral lesions. (Source: IMAB.)

Oral cancer – oral lesions, oral inflammation.

Pancreatic cancer – high levels of certain types of oral bacteria, swollen gums. (Source: Center4Research.)

Heart disease – inflamed gums or loose teeth.

Kidney disease – dry mouth, bad breath, and mucosal pain. (Source: NCBI)

Dementia – general poor oral health.

Osteoporosis – receding gums, loose teeth.

Eating disorders – Crumbling teeth, sensitive teeth, bad breathe.

Acid Reflux – molar enamel erosion, damaged oral and throat tissue. (source: EveryDayHealth.com.)

Crohn Disease – Swollen lips and oral ulcers. (Source: ReadersDigest.com)

More at the article.

[SheltieLover]

7. +1,000!

[markie]

6. sad to have to prioritize health

concerns... personally I vote dental because the cost of good dental care is prohibitive... I can afford eyecare... however, for the good of all we shouldn't have to make choices and preventative care is #1

[jimfields33]

24. Dental is going to be X-rays and cleaning.

The expensive stuff we’re still on the hook for.

[Hortensis]

9. Dental, dental, dental, vision, hearing. Lowering age of eligibility.

Dental -- first for the reasons others have given. There's no other program for 50M to turn to.

Vision -- needed by practically everyone, comparatively inexpensive, can prevent unnecessary vision loss.

Hearing -- This becomes a very serious debility and they're currently outrageously expensive, especially the newer technology that people can stand to wear.

Medicare age -- last as we prioritize expanding subsidized ACA to all the states and adding medication coverage to it. Plus, there are other programs to fill the gap for many who can't wait, including SSDI/SSI with Medicare/Medicaid.

[wcmagumba]

11. I turn 65 in Jan...

have a low fixed income and various health issues including needed dental problems requiring extractions and dentures. I have been unable to afford this work, running in the probable several thousands of dollars. I am desperately hoping for new coverage for medicare with full dental but find it very depressing that they are now saying this coverage will be postponed (if passed at all) for several more years. I most likely won't make it that far with the additional health issues arising from my poor dental health and trouble with everyday things including eating. So, I vote most strongly for dental....

[NurseJackie]

12. At one of the "People's Party" rallies some one wanted PETS to be included.

(I think it was the "People's Party" ... but in fairness, it might have been one of the other fringe/kooky groups too.)

[Voltaire2]

16. I am so glad you found a way to punch down on this.

It's really important.

[NurseJackie]

18. So, does that mean you support Medicare for Pets? Or are you opposed to Medicare for Pets?

It's really important.

Yes, I know. So, does that mean you support Medicare for Pets? Or are you opposed to Medicare for Pets?

[Voltaire2]

31. As I said, I think it is awesome that you managed to

find some angle here to punch left. You don't agree it was awesome?

[NurseJackie]

33. No, you said "punch down".

You don't agree it was awesome?

I think Medicare for Pets is absurd... and it makes those who support expanded Medicare and strengthening ACA look stupid-by-association.

find some angle here to punch left

No, you said "punch down". But I guess that's neither here nor there, since my views on fringe groups like that are well-known. I'm a loyal Democrat and have no tolerance for those who actively seek to smear, denigrate, harm or divide our party... no matter which directions the attacks come from. There's really no need to act so surprised or shocked, Voltaire2.

So should we take that as a "YES" vote from you when it comes to Medicare for Pets?

[George II]

41. Not the way readers here saw it:

[George II]

21. It was one of the M4M4A rallies back in the summer. Not exactly sure....

....who it was, but I think it was Walker Bragman - don't quote me on that.

The speaker was upset that he had to take his dog to the vet and it cost more than he expected, so he claimed that pets should be included in M4A too.

[NurseJackie]

22. Yes! That's it! I knew it was one of those "we hate the Democrats" groups.

[George II]

25. Here's the guy. I think it's Bragman, anyone recognize him?

Link to tweet

[NurseJackie]

27. It's idiots like this who ruin it for the rest of the rational people...

... who are trying to make things better. He's a whining malcontent who hates the Democratic party. People like him have no problems with "destroying" (or kneecapping, or dividing, or weakening) the Democratic party... all in the name of "purity" and their insane belief that the Democrats are corrupt... and even if it means giving TOTAL control to the GOP. It's the disloyal and treacherous "burn it down" and "no compromise" jerks like that who are as big a danger as the GOP.

[lkinwi]

13. Lowering the age, dental, hearing, vision

I’m 63 and soon will have to pay COBRA.

[JustAnotherGen]

14. Dental, Vision and Hearing

Prior to lowering the age.

We have folks in their 70's now (including my mom) who are having to shell out thousands of dollars for hearing aids, dental work, and expensive eyeglass prescriptions.

Because she was a relatively high earner (for a woman who came of age in the 60's) she made too much to be eligible for the really good 'part type' programs at lower cost. She's not in the bucket for at home care in post op/hospital situations either - my brother and I paid for private nurse care post covid out of pocket.

[Voltaire2]

15. you left out the prescription non-benefit

I want all of it. 60, dental, vision, hearing, and a real prescription plan, not a fucking corrupt joke.

[Hamlette]

17. if you lower the age, what do you do if someone doesn't pay the Medicare premium?

there is a collection glitch to lowering the age. Part of what makes this so complicated.

Don't get me wrong, I support lowering the age limit. Hell, I favor Medicare for all but the problem is the buy in. The mandatory $1,000 "tax" in Obama care was struck down by the courts and the premium now comes out of my Social Security check. Can you get Medicare without getting Social Security (old age, not disability) now? If so, how is the premium paid?

[JustABozoOnThisBus]

20. Yes, you can get Medicare first. Pay by check or by automatic withdrawal from your chking acct.

I got Part A when I turned 65 and the rest was moved to Mrs Bozo's employer insurance. I was 67 when Mrs Bozo retired and I started paying for Part B, D, from my checking account every month. When I started collecting Social Security at 70, then Medicare was switched to automatically be deducted from Social Security payments.

[Liberal In Texas]

19. Agreed. n/t

[snort]

28. I'm on ChampVA and it's great.

I can self refer. It doesn't cover vision or dental however. At 65 I will be switched to medicare but will be sent vouchers to pay for it. Frankly it doesn't make sense but it is what it is.

Everyone should have full healthcare in this Country. The reason we don't is because of rich assholes.

So at 61, I'm going to get my knees replaced and my fingers fixed while the gettins good.

[Vinca]

29. I'm wondering why the need for supplemental policies has never been discussed.

Medicare should cover 100%. Dental, vision and hearing are all important, but 100% coverage should come first. I'm all for lowering the age, but so are most single-payer advocates.

[karynnj]

30. It is even more complicated than that

One question on lowering the age is whether that should be done within ACA. This was very very briefly discussed in 2009 until Lieberman indicated he would vote against an ACA bill with this. It was considered a way to get a public option as well, though the proposal rejected was just for 55 to 65.

If that were the case, the cost of Medicare for those who would choose it would be lowered by the subsidy determined by the person's income. The plan was NOT to add an additional burden to Medicare, but to take advantage of its much smaller administrative cost.

As to dental, vision and hearing, the question should be what does adding them mean. In 2003, a drug benefit was added. In practice that has meant that if you are on original Medicare, you buy an approved part D plan. Medigap plans do not cover it. I have not heard anything about how dental etc al would be added. If they were added as part of part b services, that would likely mean raising the part b premium. This could be good as there are already subsidies that lower that cost for lower income seniors.

[Wounded Bear]

42. Personally, I haven't visited a dentist in years...literally...

that's my priority. I don't get any of those services on my VA medical.