Older People - 55 years and up!

[Gadd]

OK, a lil' help and a major rant...

Do not skip MC Part B. Go to your local federal MC office and drill 'em as to what you can and won't get! Damnit, that's what they're paid to do! Don't leave until ALL your questions are answered and the options are clear to you!

WARNING: MAJOR RANT MODE ON-

I'm a retired 20 year USAF 'Nam ('67-68, Da Nang, RVN) vet. And it slays me when I see the current public ads asking for public support for disabled vets and their families!!! What a totally (edit) shame that this country asks for the sacrifice and won't take care of their own!!! How many federal senators and representatives use a podunk VA hospital for medical care?!?! Ummm...

I've had service buds and neighbors that wasted away while the pols argued whether Agent Orange, and later on, the Gulf War experimental inoculations were the medical causes for our vets sufferings!!! That's not even counting the battle trauma suffered by soooo many!!!

Fortunately, through Divine intervention, I'm in one piece and can at least type my fury!!! So for me, the LAST words I want to hear is "We're from the government, and we're here to help you".


Rant mode off-

Monday, I converted (16th) another young buck to the joys of an eGo batt and eMDCC!

Iffy, you and I were in the same general area at the same time. I was a Navy Hospital Corpsman attached to the Marines in I Corps area. I was part of the primary casualty handling unit aboard the USS Iwo Jima. In other words we were the place where those wounded in the field were sent for initial medical care after the field medics had gotten them on helicopters. Was in and out of country many time from Da Nang to Ke Sanh. I have chosen to let the past be the past, but many men that I know have not been able to do that, and the past haunts them. I have my moments and sometimes the tears just come for no apparent reason. But I am still glad to have served. My son has been to Kuwait, Iraq and Afghanistan so far in his Air Force career. He is a full time Air National Guardsman and deployments come frequently. He has been serving for 12 years and I am proud of him. I am glad to see the public stepping up and taking care of our men and women in uniform NOW. The government still has a long way to go. But it is better than it was for us. END OF MY RANT TOO

 

[txtumbleweed]

If I offended, I apologize. I do not apologize for being a hunter. That is who I am and what I do. I do agree that this is not the proper venue for hunting posts even though many other posts (off topic) flow freely. In the spirit of peace I will refrain from further comments concerning my hunting activities.

I don't think there is a problem talking about hunting or fishing. This is an open forum to discuss whatever interests us at least that is how I perceive it. I'm not a hunter myself and don't fish much anymore either but many on here do. I don't think he was talking about hunting stories but maybe he was talking about running them over with a truck that bothered some. I don't remember who was telling the story but it was a couple of days ago. We are all different and have different likes and dislikes so I think if a subject bothers me or doesn't interest me I just don't join in the discussion. I think this is what makes this thread unique in that we can all be ourselves and discuss whatever we have interest in within reason anyways. Just my on the matter.

 

[Fizzy-Penny]

You're correct and I'm a foregetful ol' heifer. LOL Medicare B cost $115 LAST YEAR; this year it is less than $100 ($97 something, I think, without having to go look).

F & G (and some others) are the designations put on "Medicare Supplemental Plans". You don't get these through the government, but through individual insurance companies. (Although, the government DOES tell the insurance companies exactly what must be offered in each designated plan). These "supplemental plans" are just what it sounds like from the name: they supplement what Medicare doesn't pay in many cases.

Like, for instance: Let's say you have your Medicare A (which covers stuff like hospital stays). You go into the hospital on Jan 1 and are released on Jan 5. There's a deductible for the hospital stay which Medicare does not cover & that you have to pay.(it's about $1140 I think). Well, ok ... if you have a supplemental plan (which should pay this deductible so you don't have to!) ... and your supplemental plan costs $120/mo., you'd be losing money, right? ($120/mo X 12mo = $1440/yr .... AND $1440 - $1140 = $300 you spent more than the hospital deductible, right?)

The thing is, you won't owe another hospital deductible that year so long as your next hospital stay has an admission date within 60 days of the release date of your last hospital stay. If you were released from the hospital on Jan 5 and you get admitted again on, let's say, May 1 ... you have another $1140 deductible. At that point, having that supplemental plan is a pretty good deal.

There's lots of other stuff (like my blood tranfusions, which cost me something like $1500 last November for 3 units; medicare doesn't pay for the first 3 units in any given year) that a supplemental will pay.

I know ... it's awfully complicated, in a lot of ways. I remember when my mom was on medicare back in the 80s and 90s and I took care of a lot of her paperwork ... lordy, it was sooooo much simpler than it is now.

Here's a good place to start (and you have to do a lot of looking to find what all is there, but they do have downloads of nearly everything you could get in the mail):
Medicare.gov

And the closer you get, the more companies will be send you "Please do business with us" information on supplemental plans. They actually explain it pretty well, too.

HarleyDiva, I meant to add and forgot (imagine that!):
The stuff Part B pays for are mainly outpatient-type services (and it's a pretty long list of stuff!) like
doctor office visits
ambulance service & the ER visit itself
outpatient surgery
blood
bone density tests (for osteoporosis), mammograms, & pap smears - things all us gals need to have!
cardiac rehab, cardiovascular screenings
lab tests like blood tests, urinalysis, etc.
diabetic screenings and diabetic supplies
medical equipment, like walkers, oxygen equipment/supplies, wheelchairs, & even hospital beds used in home
home health services
kidney dialysis & supplies
outpatient mental health services
prostate cancer screenings
prosthetics/orthotics (includes things like braces and artifical limbs and even some types of breast emplants after mastectomy
pulmonary rehab for COPD
some 2nd opinions on surgery
you'll love this one: smoking cessation counseling

There's a lot more, but I'll not try to be comprehensive here. Part B is a good deal, imo. OH! and for our retired vets who have Tricare: you have to take Part B to keep your Tricare when you hit 65.

Anyway ... I do hope this is helpful to those of you who haven't hit 65 yet. I'm no expert, by any means. I just have a little experience with it and am willing to share. Funny, before I turned 65 the end of last October ... the last time I was in the hospital I was in my 20s and went in for elective surgery (my hubby turned decidedly pale with green tinges at the very mention of vasectomy, poor guy ... so I had my tubes tied instead. What we wives will do to spare our better halves. LOL). Anyway, I was on no prescription meds at all last fall. I've been in the hospital twice now and am on a first name basis with a growing list of folks at Joe Arrington Cancer Research & Treatment Center. Life has a way of turning itself upside down and inside out in a hurry. But, I'm doing pretty darned well, all things considered. I'm sure not griping. I consider myself truly blessed in too many ways to do that.

Vape on ya'll!
Penny

 

[Bluesman]

If I offended, I apologize. I do not apologize for being a hunter. That is who I am and what I do. I do agree that this is not the proper venue for hunting posts even though many other posts (off topic) flow freely. In the spirit of peace I will refrain from further comments concerning my hunting activities.

Understood. Thank you.

 

[n9emz]

I don't think there is a problem talking about hunting or fishing. This is an open forum to discuss whatever interests us at least that is how I perceive it. I'm not a hunter myself and don't fish much anymore either but many on here do. I don't think he was talking about hunting stories but maybe he was talking about running them over with a truck that bothered some. I don't remember who was telling the story but it was a couple of days ago. We are all different and have different likes and dislikes so I think if a subject bothers me or doesn't interest me I just don't join in the discussion. I think this is what makes this thread unique in that we can all be ourselves and discuss whatever we have interest in within reason anyways. Just my on the matter.

I believe it was my comment(s) that Blues referenced and he's well within his rights to do so as is everyone else. I am an ex-Florida Freshwater Fish and Game Commission (now FL Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission) agent; an ex-USNPS Resources Management & Visitor Protection Division patrolman; and, I was professionally engaged in the environmental arena for over thirty years.

Things a lot of people praise and talk about, I was studying and doing for two-thirds of my lifetime. I truly believe in reasonable management as well as protection of our wildlife, natural resources, clean air, and water. On the other hand, I do not believe that every individual creature on the face of this earth needs to be saved and I particularly do not like the North American deer situation as it stands.

If anyone finds my position offensive, I sincerely apologize for that, but I stand firm in the position. In deference to Blues, rather than bog down the thread with a continuation of the subject, further comments can be directed to me via PM and email. Thank you.

Have a great day and a wonderful weekend.

 

[Bluesman]

I don't think there is a problem talking about hunting or fishing. This is an open forum to discuss whatever interests us at least that is how I perceive it. I'm not a hunter myself and don't fish much anymore either but many on here do. I don't think he was talking about hunting stories but maybe he was talking about running them over with a truck that bothered some. I don't remember who was telling the story but it was a couple of days ago. We are all different and have different likes and dislikes so I think if a subject bothers me or doesn't interest me I just don't join in the discussion. I think this is what makes this thread unique in that we can all be ourselves and discuss whatever we have interest in within reason anyways. Just my on the matter.

You may do whatever you want, Tex. I am more than willing to move on. The thread has been fun. Thanks to all.

 

[taxman32]

Why was everybody up so late last night? And where is ervryone today?

 

[Semiretired]

Well, Good Morning...

Blues, I know and understand your position on animal protection, but this thread has gone through all kinds of topics and this is just another one of those topics. Moving on is a little strong of a position for breezing through another topic. This thread has been fun - remember - you started it - and ending your participation on a sour note would just not be the way it should be. Myself, I cannot remember the posts in question - I do remember the topic being touched on - I skim over posts that do not interest me as most people would do. I read in detail what interest me - add it to my bank of knowledge and reply where I think I can add value (and or of course humor on occasion). That is how an open forum works and I and I am sure that I speak for all when I say We would like to see you continue as it was you that started this little journey...

 

[Semiretired]

Why was everybody up so late last night? And where is ervryone today?

Well good morning Taxman - I got up late - It is Friday and slept in until 7:30... Getting my energy back from yesterday's adventure in painting and stuff...

 

[tj99959]

Sun's up so I'm up, Gawd I love winter so I can sleep in.

 

[Semiretired]

Sun's up so I'm up, Gawd I love winter so I can sleep in.

Yep, but springtime means more chores and I gotta get to mine right now - see ya'll later today...

 

[DancingHeretik]

Ya'll have got to see this. It's supposedly a real mod that someone actually bought.



Here's the thread.

 

[txtumbleweed]

Ya'll have got to see this. It's supposedly a real mod that someone actually bought.

View attachment 93609

Here's the thread.

Stacked 26650 batteries. He better hope it never vents, it might put him in orbit!

 

[n9emz]

Ya'll have got to see this. It's supposedly a real mod that someone actually bought.

View attachment 93609

Here's the thread.

lol....way too AW-ish for me but I like others' purpose-built stuff, it's nicely turned out, and I admire ingenuity. At the opposite end of the scale, check these out:





They're from Setup Pictures Post No. 2831.

 

[txtumbleweed]

You may do whatever you want, Tex. I am more than willing to move on. The thread has been fun. Thanks to all.

Well I hope you don't move on Blues. This has been a good thread because we all get along even though we are all from different walks of life. You are an important part of our unique community so I hope you stick around.

 

[rave]

Well, Good Morning...

Blues, I know and understand your position on animal protection, but this thread has gone through all kinds of topics and this is just another one of those topics. Moving on is a little strong of a position for breezing through another topic. This thread has been fun - remember - you started it - and ending your participation on a sour note would just not be the way it should be. Myself, I cannot remember the posts in question - I do remember the topic being touched on - I skim over posts that do not interest me as most people would do. I read in detail what interest me - add it to my bank of knowledge and reply where I think I can add value (and or of course humor on occasion). That is how an open forum works and I and I am sure that I speak for all when I say We would like to see you continue as it was you that started this little journey...

I remember all too well the post in question. Unfortunately, you can't un-read a post.

He was making a simple request, and as the OP, it shouldn't be so difficult to honor such a request.

 

[Fizzy-Penny]

I remember all too well the post in question. Unfortunately, you can't un-read a post.

He was making a simple request, and as the OP, it shouldn't be so difficult to honor such a request.

Exactly. And I would point out that there's a big difference between "subject one is not interested in, can just skim over" and "subject that offends one to their very core, perhaps provides a distressing mental image to the offended reader, and therefore is not able to be just skimmed over and forgotten".

I'm quite sure whoever posted it didn't mean to offend, ok? But, please ... this is a great group of folks. We don't fight with one another; we've been around the block enough times to know how to get along and have fun. Let's just move on, please?

Blues, please don't stop. You're the OP and our laid-back-leader and we need ya.

Vaping on and about to call the cuz in Alabam for some long-winded convo this a.m.

Cya on the flip side, guys!
Penny

 

[txtumbleweed]

I ordered me the new 1.5 Lava that will read the resistance of the carto like the Provari does plus has higher wattage rating than version 1. It should be here today or tomorrow. There is only one vendor in the States selling them right now that I know of and that is Penny at Variable Voltage 1.5 Mod - Penny 's Store

 

[sandybeach]

I need to stop buying vape stuff My credit card bills are outrageous.

 

[sandybeach]

Exactly. And I would point out that there's a big difference between "subject one is not interested in, can just skim over" and "subject that offends one to their very core, perhaps provides a distressing mental image to the offended reader, and therefore is not able to be just skimmed over and forgotten".

I'm quite sure whoever posted it didn't mean to offend, ok? But, please ... this is a great group of folks. We don't fight with one another; we've been around the block enough times to know how to get along and have fun. Let's just move on, please?

Blues, please don't stop. You're the OP and our laid-back-leader and we need ya.

Vaping on and about to call the cuz in Alabam for some long-winded convo this a.m.

Cya on the flip side, guys!
Penny

BLues is stopping? What did I miss? NOOOOOoooooooo! Bluesman, we need you, honey!!