Medicare

[englishmick]

I just got signed up for Medicare. Pretty good deal. It's almost like a real medical care system, with just a hint of the insurance cartels around the edges.

Anyway I got one pleasant surprise. I asked if smoking was going to increase the price of the Advantage plan. I was ready to be mad if vaping counted as smoking. But it doesn't make any difference whether I consume nicotine or not.

The insurance I get from work, until the end of this month, is so worthless I rarely resorted to medical care. Stopped using Spiriva because I couldn't afford to get past the deductible. And they still charged me extra for being a smoker.

 

[schatz]

I hear you Englishmick, when will wake up and not accept thier extortion anymore. Insurance ought to be outlawed.

 

[Jdurand]

Insurance ought to be outlawed

I thought that was the basic premis of Obama-care! lol

 

[schatz]

Yea sure now my insurance payment is almost as much as the mortgage on the house. And you have to pay for the doctor visit any way.

 

[Jdurand]

Yea sure now my insurance payment is almost as much as the mortgage on the house. And you have to pay for the doctor visit any way.

Ain't it awesome!

 

[CMD-Ky]

Yea sure now my insurance payment is almost as much as the mortgage on the house. And you have to pay for the doctor visit any way.

Now I was told that my premiums would go down about $2500 and that I could keep my doctor - if I like my doctor. Our president is an honorable man so you must be mistaken.

 

[Rule62]

Yea sure now my insurance payment is almost as much as the mortgage on the house. And you have to pay for the doctor visit any way.

Yeah, that's what happens when insurance companies actually have to pay out medical expenses, instead of dropping you like a hot rock as soon as you get sick, even though you've been paying premiums for years.

 

[CMD-Ky]

Should you ever want to see medical costs drop like a rock, eliminate all third party payers. As long as someone else pays the bills, the bills will remain high.

 

[Rule62]

Should you ever want to see medical costs drop like a rock, eliminate all third party payers. As long as someone else pays the bills, the bills will remain high.

I've been on Medicare for 3 years now. My premiums, including my Supplimental plan and Part D prescription coverage, are actually cheaper than the group plan I was in when I was working.

 

[BreSha6869]

Dumb question.... Is vaping nicotine considered smoking? I assume so as the testing would likely look for nicotine. Anyone know for sure?

 

[Rule62]

Dumb question.... Is vaping nicotine considered smoking? I assume so as the testing would likely look for nicotine. Anyone know for sure?

It depends on the insurance company. Some may ask specifically if you smoke. Others may ask if you use nicotine, in any form. But, the worst thing you can do is lie, when you're signing up.

 

[Grimwald]

I'm just 1 year away from medicare and looking forward to it. My insurance is killing me (isn't that ironic) but only about 1/2 of what is was prior to the ACA. Still in my state there is only one company available on the healthcare.gov site so it's not like I have a ton of options.

 

[petrotech]

What's health insurance?!

My insurance (for myself, my wife, and two kids) went from 400.00 to 1200.00 after the new law went into effect....higher co-pay, higher deductible, and higher prescription costs.

Yay.

And yes, that is from the healthcare.go website, "catastrophic plan"

 

[CMD-Ky]

I've been on Medicare for 3 years now. My premiums, including my Supplimental plan and Part D prescription coverage, are actually cheaper than the group plan I was in when I was working.

For you it is cheaper, your costs are not reflective of actual costs.

 

[crxess]

Just went on Disability and 2yrs to qualify for Medicare In a hole until then. My Co insurance will jump from $327 to $1196 in about 2 months. Needless to say - Cannot afford that!
Glad to hear Medicare is pretty decent. Should be able to handle a single policy for the wife.

 

[Rule62]

For you it is cheaper, your costs are not reflective of actual costs.

Even before the ACA, I was in favor of single payer, or Medicare expansion, to cover everyone. I still am.

 

[CMD-Ky]

Even before the ACA, I was in favor of single payer, or Medicare expansion, to cover everyone. I still am.

We differ.

 

[Bunnykiller]

if they ask me and Im not vaping or smoking when they ask... then the answer is " not at this point in my life".

 

[VHRB2014]

What was is Lenin said?

Socialized medicine is the keystone to the arch of the Socialist State.

 

[EBates]

I just got signed up for Medicare. Pretty good deal. It's almost like a real medical care system, with just a hint of the insurance cartels around the edges.

Anyway I got one pleasant surprise. I asked if smoking was going to increase the price of the Advantage plan. I was ready to be mad if vaping counted as smoking. But it doesn't make any difference whether I consume nicotine or not.

The insurance I get from work, until the end of this month, is so worthless I rarely resorted to medical care. Stopped using Spiriva because I couldn't afford to get past the deductible. And they still charged me extra for being a smoker.

When I went on medicare I chose an 'Advantage Plan' and quickly found out that the Advantage was no dr would take it. Being a relatively healthy sort I was able to ride out the first year and switch back to medicare Pt B and a F medicare suppliment. So my net out of pocket was about $150 per mo, plus I had drug coverage as well.
Here in the DFW area the Ovomit plans have all gone to HMO/EPO which I have no experience at all with. So I'm waiting to see if my G-sons new HMO is just another 'Advantage Plan'.