General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsMedicare, what are your priorities?
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
(57,073 posts)But I'd read dental will not be abailable until 2027.
Dental is so critical to good health & so many seniors are suffering.
XanaDUer2
(10,489 posts)then adding benefits
I'd also like more messaging from the White House on what they are doing
Raising payments for recipients
SheltieLover
(57,073 posts)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
(10,489 posts)I thought it took 2 yrs to get on it. Hope I'm wrong
SheltieLover
(57,073 posts)Maybe others will know.
Hru?
XanaDUer2
(10,489 posts)for long-term disability. If I get ssdi, I'll have to pay the company back
SheltieLover
(57,073 posts)Was it with a doctor?
SheltieLover
(57,073 posts)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
(10,489 posts)I explained my situation, yadda, little concerned about paying money back. These companies are a ravket
SheltieLover
(57,073 posts)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
(10,489 posts)I just get nervous when someone tells me they have a repayment plan due to payback being difficult
SheltieLover
(57,073 posts)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
(57,073 posts)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
(15,669 posts)Many with obamacare will see an increase in their monthly payment.
XanaDUer2
(10,489 posts)so scared about affording and keeping my health insurance.
hamsterjill
(15,220 posts)Ill turn 63 late this year and Biden campaigned on lowering the age for Medicare, so Im not giving up. The rest should all fall under health care. Its absurd that the definition hasnt been refined in decades.
Yes, I know. I expect a lot.
MiHale
(9,661 posts)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
(57,073 posts)markie
(22,756 posts)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
(15,669 posts)The expensive stuff were still on the hook for.
Hortensis
(58,785 posts)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
(2,879 posts)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
(42,862 posts)(I think it was the "People's Party" ... but in fairness, it might have been one of the other fringe/kooky groups too.)
Voltaire2
(12,939 posts)It's really important.
NurseJackie
(42,862 posts)Voltaire2
(12,939 posts)find some angle here to punch left. You don't agree it was awesome?
NurseJackie
(42,862 posts)So should we take that as a "YES" vote from you when it comes to Medicare for Pets?
George II
(67,782 posts)George II
(67,782 posts)....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
(42,862 posts)George II
(67,782 posts)NurseJackie
(42,862 posts)... 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
(1,477 posts)Im 63 and soon will have to pay COBRA.
JustAnotherGen
(31,780 posts)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
(12,939 posts)I want all of it. 60, dental, vision, hearing, and a real prescription plan, not a fucking corrupt joke.
Hamlette
(15,407 posts)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
(23,315 posts)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
(13,528 posts)snort
(2,334 posts)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
(50,236 posts)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
(59,495 posts)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
(58,584 posts)that's my priority. I don't get any of those services on my VA medical.