Got my Medicare card

[XanaDUer2]

Starts December. I'm auto matically enrolled. Part D confuses me. Do I sign up through Medicare.gov? I take two expensive meds.

Anyone familiar with Part D?

[OLDMDDEM]

1. Google Medicare Part D. That should help you.

[tblue37]

2. I have a supplemental plan, for former state employees, that covers my dental and drugs.

[True Blue American]

3. If you need a supplemental plan go

To the back of your Medicare book. It will describe the plans in your area. Many at no cost to you! Anthem Medicare Advantage just paid a whopping hospital bill, plus rehab. My co - pay was small compared to the bill. Saved my life with great specialists.

[JenniferJuniper]

4. "Medicare" C aka Medicare Advantage Plans are a scam,

there's a reason why Republicans want them to replace actual Medicare.

I urge anyone considering one to read this article first.

https://www.juancole.com/2023/08/predatory-medicare-advantage.html

[True Blue American]

7. That is not true!

You do not know the first thing about Advantage plans.

[JenniferJuniper]

9. So you didn't read the article, I take it? ...

There are many more if you didn't like that one.

As for "Medicare" C, I've seen first hand how awful things can get when needed procedures are denied, or someone has to go to a rehab 100 miles from home and family because no local rehab wants to deal with the coverage restrictions of "Advantage" private insurers.

Instead of getting angry with the messenger, you may want to do some research before the next enrollment period. And maybe not give up actual Medicare in favor of a for-profit insurer.

Best wishes to you.

[True Blue American]

10. That article means nothing to me.

I have had Anthem since I was 22 years old when the Unions succeeded in getting Health Insurance, then they transferred us to Anthem Medicare Advantage. I do not pay a dime for it and they just payed a $98,000 bill for me with a minor co pay.

Quit reading biased articles and check for yourself. It is simple to start, just check the back of your Medicare book. It shows the plans in your area.

[True Blue American]

11. You do not give up Medicare

When you go on an Advantage plan. Medicare only pays 80%, Advantage pays much more!
I still pay for Medicare.

[JenniferJuniper]

12. Medicare Advantage is private coverage,

You are indeed giving up traditional Medicare when you sign up for C with a private insurer.

But you have already said you don't want to hear the truth, so I'm not going to bother to try explain further to you.

However, I encourage anyone considering an Advantage plan to do their careful due diligence. Right wing politicians and insurance companies love it for a reason.

[True Blue American]

13. I have been in the system for years.

Last edited Sat Aug 26, 2023, 06:13 AM - Edit history (1)

I still have to pay Medicare. It is taken out of your Social Security check. Medicare Advantage is a supplement to Medicare that has many extras.

I suggest you check with your. state to see what is available. The reason I do not want to hear is because you are wrong on your information. I pay nothing for Antem, yet have many extras such as a Life Alert, Doctor bills, and now a huge Hospital bill. I had a minor co pay. That bill also included a week in rehab to regain my strength.

I do not want to argue with you and hope you will check what is available. Even a call to your Insurance carrier.

[BlackSkimmer]

15. Your Medicare B premium comes out of your ss, that is true.

But buying a C plan means you are giving up Medicare A and B for that C plan. No monies should be coming from your SS for traditional Medicare after you choose a C plan.

I would definitely check with one of the SHIIP counselors in your state for clarification. Do NOT ask your Anthem rep because they have a vested interest in keeping you on board.

But something is up there. The SHIIP meeting I attended made it very clear that either you have A and b, with a supplement or to, OR you have C, which is NOT from the government. It is a plan from a private provider. You should be paying whatever premium you pay to them, but nothing should be coming from your ss check.

Absolutely your choice, but for your financial peace of mind, the counselors at SHIIP will review everything you have and explain anything you have questions with. They recommend you do this every year, because the prices WILL change every year.

They don't even know the prices for any of the plans until Open Enrollment begins on October 15. They are provided by the state governments, it's free, and they will explain everything to a T.

[True Blue American]

17. I think I said Medicare comes out of my SS.

I am glad to know you will check with the experts. That is aLl I wanted. You can even see the different plans in your area in the back pages of your Medicare book..

Our Union helped us, and I am happy they did as I am taking medicine to heal my heart. Without my Anthem plan it would be unaffordable.

I do see the President is putting more drugs that will save millions of dollars. These plans came courtesy of the AMA.

You still have to pay for Medicare. I am informed every year how much I will pay.

[BlackSkimmer]

18. I won't argue with you, but I recommend you talk with a counselor one on one. You might save money.

Perhaps your Union is paying for your plan?

People on Advantage usually have all or part of their Part B paid by the company they chose - this is all in the book.

I'd ask why yours isn't because that's a big seliing point in these plans. You'll see that in the book too. I have a friend who is on an Advantage plan, and they pay for her Part B as part of the package.

It's all up to you, but I thought the advice to review your plan every year was a great one. The prices of every single plan and supplement change yearly.

If you have faith in your Union that they've chosen an Advantage plan that somehow fits all the needs of all Union members, despite health, age, or gender...that's fantastic!

Anyway, I just thought I'd throw a thought in there for others looking, including the OP, that it's not as hard as it first seems, but it's good to do your research.

Everyone is different.

[BlackSkimmer]

5. Hi XanaDUer2! I went to a medicare info class run by our local Council on Aging yesterday.

Let me tell you what I learned as a new member also!

First of all, our county (and I think you're in the same state) has great resources for seniors. Every county in NC has a SHIIP office.

I was not going to avail myself of the Part D because I take no medications. Aspirin and Benadryl are my go to if something is needed.

BUT, (big but) if you do NOT get the Plan D when first eligible - you WILL be penalized lifetime 10% for each year you don't sign up.

Some of them are as low as 5 bucks.

A second point that I found important: 45 companies sell all the supplemental plans, 37 in my area.

No matter WHAT plan you buy, at what expense, a $300 a month plan is no different than a cheaper one. Each supplemental plan (all the letters lol) pay EXACTLY the same, no matter what YOU are paying.

Third point. The Council on Aging in your area will sit down with you and go through EVERYTHING you want to ask.

If you don't have a Council on Aging, there is a SHIIP office in your county. And they will do the same with you. SHIIP is the Seniors Health Insurance Information Program. They will answer every question.

Here's the website and number that I was given yesterday. This is all non-profit and a service for seniors. www.ncshiip.com

855-408-1212

The guy that gave our seminar was fantastic. I was so confused by Medicare, but I feel much better about it now.

Anyway, sounds like if you're taking meds, get on D ASAP, therefore you face no penalty. But whether it be BCBS, United HealthCare, Humana, whoever! The plan pays the same, so get the cheapest!

[XanaDUer2]

6. THANK YOU!

I Know I can google it, but i was curious any DUers' exp. I have a senior resource center here. Good to know. I just need to know if my expensive meds are on the companys formulary?

Great info

[BlackSkimmer]

16. Call the senior resource center. Hopefully you've got a great one like we have here in our very red

county lol.

They have another program they offer called LIS to to help seniors with any particularly expensive drugs. I didn't pay as much attention there because (knock on wood) so far I don't need any.

I had done some googling too, as well as looking at the giant book the government sent me. Both are confusing.

But that meeting was a godsend. Google didn't explain al the ins and outs, nor did it make it clear that no matter which company you choose for a supplement (or Medigap), you will receive the same benefits. Makes no matter what you pay.

The Medicare Advantage, imo, is really rolling the dice. you get stuck into having preferred providers, having to get referrals for specialists, co-pays, and all that rigamarole. Obviously it's up to the individual.

Glad to share what I learned!

I was amazed to find this senior center, which has a great gym, cardio equipment, classes of every kind...I had no idea. Here I've been paying for a gym membership, and all these senior goodies are free! It really made my week lol!

[True Blue American]

8. Our Union put us on Anthem Blue Cross Medicare Advantage

And after being in the hospital for a week, seeing the bills they paid for me I am quite happy. Includes medications, physician visits,OTC drugs vision, hearing aids. But you are quite right to do the program in your state.

[True Blue American]

14. Thank you for your info.

Many have no idea how much is available in those plans. I have guided several middle age people who suddenly are faced with the helping their aging parents.