Part "A" & "B" are plans are set by the government as far as premiums and coverage. You will need to pick a provider for your Part D perscription coverage. You should also look into a Medicare supplement plan that will pick up the medical costs not covered by Medicare and there are lots of different ones out there> Some are called "Advantage plans" but are only valid in your state. I think most pick an "F" plan which supplements Medicare while traveling. Keep in mind too that the medical supplements do not cover the Paet D prescription "donut hole". Good Luck, it is really confusing
There are a few differences. A Medicare supplement will cover any DR. that accepts Medicare in hth US. A Medicare Advantage can require you to go to their network Drs. and hospitals. If you are out of their network you will pay extra in most cases. The Medicare supplements from all companies are the same if you are comparing equal plans. All Plan Cs are the same as are all Gs. The plans after C will include foreign coverage, outside the US with only 1 exception. Plan F is about the best coverage and there is High Deductible Plan F that can really save you money on premiums. The deductible is $2070 for 2012 and then comes in with the coverage. I sell United American in Michigan. Note that is not AARP, who I will have nothinig to do with. United American has been in the business since Medicare came out in 1966 so they have experience. The plan F High Deductible will be about 1/4 the cost of the regular Plan F and give the same coverage with the exception of the deductible. In our zip code here in Holland the savings is around $1300. per year so that means there is only $7-800 at risk in case of a claim. If you have no claims you are ahead by a nice tank of gas or 3.
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Quote: Not all veterans can get coverage. My understanding is that if you are a veteran but were never "in country" (Vietnam) then you don't qualify
Not sure that's true. I am a VN vet so I didn't have to dig too deeply into the requirements but this link, Fed Benefits for Vets, suggests you just need to be a veteran who served honorably for 24 months active duty. Unless the service released you early for several listed reasons.
There is a means test you have to submit yearly regarding income that applies to co-pay amounts.
For us, the solution is simple: We get to pay $100 per month for A&B but Medicare won't pay outside the USA. So, our retirement plan stays 'primary' and fights us all the way. Fortunately, there are no HMOs or other 'for profit' scams and superior medical care is available and affordable here; Guadalajara, Jalisco has excellent world class hospitals and many of your physicians may actually have gone to medical school here. ¡Viva Mexico!
Quote: Not all veterans can get coverage. My understanding is that if you are a veteran but were never "in country" (Vietnam) then you don't qualify
Not sure that's true. I am a VN vet so I didn't have to dig too deeply into the requirements but this link, Fed Benefits for Vets, suggests you just need to be a veteran who served honorably for 24 months active duty. Unless the service released you early for several listed reasons.
There is a means test you have to submit yearly regarding income that applies to co-pay amounts.
Thanks for the link. I was told by the VA here in Buffalo that I do not qualify because Vietnam Era Vets only qualify by being in country. The 24 month requirement came into effect long after I was out of the service.
Jim@HiTek wrote: One thing, Terry, if you're a veteran, you can get free medical and meds through the VA and are only required to carry the free part B (I think that's the part). No premiums to pay, excellent care. VA clinics all over the US. Down here in Mexico, I'm self insured but try to live a low risk life style. Even if I need medical down here, it's very inexpensive.
Not all veterans can get coverage. My understanding is that if you are a veteran but were never "in country" (Vietnam) then you don't qualify.
BTW, just as a point of information that surprises most folks when they learn an interesting little fact about Medicare. When I turned 65 I HAD to sign up for Medicare rather than keep my excellent Health Savings Account coverage. When I signed up they suggested that I sign up for one of the "free" HMO supplemental insurances that are offered. So I did and I noticed there was some small print that referred to commissions. I mentioned that I didn't understand how there could be commissions for "free" insurance. She told me that it was free to me. Upon further inquiry I learned that the taxpayers pay $881 per month for my "free" insurance. That coupled with the $150 a month that I have to pay means that I have a single policy that costs me and the taxpayers, of which I am one, over $1,000 a month. Now you know why the insurance companies are spending millions to "protect" medicare.
I am almost sure that when the politicians talk about cuts to Medicare they are talking about these extra costs for Medicare Advantage.
My Unitedhealth Medicare Advantage co-pays went from $30 to $40 this year. My max out of pocket went from $4700 to $5900. One generic drug that I took for years, was taken off the generic list and a manufacturer was given the exclusive three year right to sell what has now become a Brand named drug. The price went from 10 cents per pill to $4.85/pill. Whatever you are paying now, just plan on it costing you more next year, and probably every year thereafter. As is now being reported, the cost for the National healthcare, pushed by the current administration, is projected to cost double the initial estimate.
* This post was
edited 03/16/12 02:58pm by rgatijnet1 *
terryb149 wrote: Hi All. I'm getting ready to turn 65 and pick up Medicare. The problem is, the more I read, the more confused I become. Anyone got any suggestions on the best companies and costs? I will also be looking at prescription plans and something to cover the donut hole I've heard so much about.
I know this isn't directly related to motorhoming, but since most of us are either retired or getting there, I couldn't think of a better place to ask for help.
Check with the AARP and United Health Care who have some Medicare Complete Plans that are free and mostly worth it in co-payments unless you're supposedly going to spend more than something like $4500/year. Most don't spend enough in this way to require a monthly paid plan whether as a supplemental or one that is complete.
"We are often so caught up in our destination that we forget to appreciate the journey."
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