It occurred to me that Medicare is NOT a PO! You get it wether you like it or not!

[napi21]

We went on Medicare Sept. 08. I'm not complaining other than to say it's not the panacea thaat most people think it is. You HAVE to get either a supplement or an advantage plan. If you are not very low income, medicare can bankrupt you too!

Theu keep taliking about Medicare being a PO, but it's not! Whem you reach 65 you are automatically enrolled in Medicare Part A. When you take SS, you are enrolled in Medicare Part B and $97 is deducted from your check whether you like it or not. Again I'm not complaining, just trying to get everyone to understand what's real.

[sandnsea]

1. You didn't used to have to take Part B

Are you sure you do now?

I don't think you have to take Part A either. Most seniors can't wait to get it because it's free and they can quit worrying about getting health care when they're sick. That's the biggest reason to stop comparing Medicare to a PO, a Public Option isn't free.

A Public Option also won't be funded by a 2.9% payroll tax. It won't be $97 a month either.

The Subsidies are what will bring the price of premiums down for the average worker. The only subsidy plan that is really good is the one in the HELP Plan. We really need to be paying more attention to that.

[napi21]

6. I could be wrong, but when we signed up for SS, Part B was part of it.

When you say Part A is free you are right, except people don't realize Medicare doesn't pay the whole bill! You are res
O've said it before on Du...I brolk mu ankle 3 years ago and the hosp bill alone was $6,800. Even with our ins, our OP costs were 3,000+.

My husband asked me the other day "Why do all these other countries provide HC for all their people and we can't?" My only answer was that those countries are't as obcessed woith taxes as we are!

[dixiegrrrrl]

18. I just checked. Part B is not mandatory.

Here is a link:
http://www.medicarebenefits.com/cms/index.php?id=13

[madfloridian]

2. One good thing, many doctors and hospitals accept assignment.

Which means you don't have to pay as much.

[newfie11]

14. so do and some don't accept assignment. n/t

[Oregone]

3. I know next to nothing about the internal workings of American Medicare

I know that Canadian Medicare is all you need to keep you alive without going bankrupt (though supplements are provided by employers, cheap out of pocket ($100 to $200 a month), and recommended to cut down on anything uncovered like a hospital TVs).

From what Ive heard about US Medicare, it can be complicated and not comprehensive. Id remind everyone of the old adage: "Don't throw the baby out with the bathwater!"

Work to improve an efficient insurance system rather than toss it for its failures. Despite what it lacks, private plans that may be more comprehensive may leave you in the cold the minute you become too expensive to cover.

[BrklynLiberal]

4. Perhaps if it were extended to include everyone, it would undergo some improvements.

It sure is better than what the private insurance companies have to offer..

[Oregone]

7. I think most people have this in mind when they say "Medicare for All"

At least I do. I don't mean the status quo Medicare, but something more meaningful.

An advantage that some single payer countries have is that they ban other insurers from covering basic needs. Imagine if your politicians depended on the exact same coverage you do, no exceptions. Yes, thats some incentive to the legislative process

[BrklynLiberal]

16. Me too!

[Hello_Kitty]

5. With Medicare for all, the supplemental plans for seniors might be cheaper.

I imagine everyone would have to get some kind of supplemental (or a gov't program that would fill the gaps) but imagine if 200+ million enrollees were added to Medicare!

[pinto]

8. Some suggestions to help Medicare work for you -

1. You don't have to buy a supplemental or an advantage plan. Check out what you feel you may need and look at the available plans in your area. Do you need a supplemental or advantage plan?

2. If you are low income and Medicaid eligible, look into your state's Medicaid program to pay your basic Medicare premium. Most state's have that benefit.

3. Ask your medical providers if they "accept assignment" on Medicare payments. That means they will accept Medicare reimbursement as full payment for services. If they say no, shop around. You'll find a medical provider who accepts assignment.

4. Compare your options. $97 / a month is a very good deal, overall.

5. Ask friends in your area how they access Medicare programs and what their experiences have been.

6. Call your local Public Health Department and ask for a local representative for assistance.

Hang in there ~ pinto

[maglatinavi]

9. Medicare

When I reached 65 and went to apply for medicare ...I didn't know how it worked. The worker told me about Part B and said I could have it and recommended that I applied for it. I had insurance from my ex-employer for a year ... It has been a blessing... Now I have a medigap that covers the 20% that Medicare doesn't cover. I also have plan D for prescriptions. I broke my fibula and the plans covered all expenses, including staying in a nursing home for physical therapy purposes. I may not know all the details about medicaid covering premiums, but $97 is nothing when you get ill or have an accident. The cost of the nursing home was over $30k's and I didn't pay a penny.
One must think that we are not invulnerable and must be prepared for any illness or accident.
I support medicare for all! I hope you get a medigap for security in case of illnesses.

[maglatinavi]

10. medicare

By the way, look into the AARP medigap offers. I changed from Blue Cross and saved over $50 monthly...

[eridani]

11. My husband has Medicare, and I sure wish the hell I did. Even the unimproved variety

I'm paying $68/month for him for a Part B supplement through our HMO, which includes dental.

[maglatinavi]

12. Supplement

Are you sure it isn't a medigap insurance instead the Part B...???

[eridani]

13. No, it includes hospital stays n/t

[stray cat]

15. right - its mandatory

[dixiegrrrrl]

17. I get Soc. Sec. and do not have Medicare.

Probably because I enrolled at age 62, am not yet 64.
Mr. Dixiewas eligible for Medicare after 2 years on Soc. Sec. Dis. he will not be 65 for a few more years.
He opted to take Plan A, did not take any other part of Medicare yet.

I am not yet clear if Part B is MANDATORY at age 65.
I do know that most of Congress is working very hard to remove state aid for any medical help.

[Cleita]

19. You have to be 65 and then you are automatically enrolled in

Part A, which is hospitalization. If you want Part B or Part D, you have a choice of not taking it, however, you will have to pay for those office visits and prescription drugs out of pocket. I decided not to do part D because it's a rip off. I hope Congress fixes it before I start needing a lot of prescription drugs.

[napi21]

21. It's mandatory when you retire. If you are still working & have Ins with

your employer you don't have to sign up, but when you sign up for SS, you have to accept Medicre and the $97 deduction from your SS check.

My husband kept working untill he was a bit over 66 to retain ins. for me because I'm a year younger than he is. We both signed up for SS in Sept 2008 and that $97 is deducted from both checks.

[Cleita]

20. Actually, that's why it works. Everybody has to partake in Part A and it doesn't

cost anything. The $97 is for part B. You can sign away your benefits with a Medicare advantage program, which I strongly advise against, as my DH bad experiences with the one he was on. Not only that most doctors won't take them anyway for poor payment. I have a supplement and frankly it costs me between those options almost $400 a month. It's kind of hard on SS but it does pay for everything and some prescription benefit when I need to get treatment.