First Medicare Part B bill

[fireandice123]

I got my first Medicare Part B bill today. How the f*ck did that happen? In my mind I’m still 35 yo, maybe 40, but no older. It sucks getting old!!!

[GoBucks]

Contrary thought: I am almost 7 years since diagnosis at age 63. I thought I might never see Medicare. I am pleased as heck to still be reciving bills at age 70. I feel 50.

[fireandice123 in reply to GoBucks]

That is good contrary thought. Sort of like I’ll be very glad to make it my next colonoscopy in 3 years.

[GoBucks in reply to fireandice123]

I had not thought about that, but exactly. Mine will be in 2 years. Hopefully everything comes out ok.

[85236442968]

fireandice123

If you did that Medicare right when you signed up you will be happy with it.

[maley2711]

did you purchase supplement and Part D drug?

[fireandice123]

Yes, BCBS plan G supplement and AARP/UHC Part D

[85236442968]

You will be happy with the G supplement. I have listened to a number of folks that tell me how less expensive Advantage plans are. Less expensive, until something catastrophic like PC comes along and they are up to their ears in co-pays, and refused treatments.

Good job on your choice, you will be happy with it.

[GARunner in reply to 85236442968]

I guess everyone's experience with Medicare Advantage plans is like PCa itself, everyone's experience tends to be different. I have a United Healthcare Medicare Advantage plan through the State of Georgia as a retiree. I do pay co-pays, but nothing for the policy. It paid most of the cost for a PSMA scan when my PSA was 0.18 and for proton therapy to 2 mets. No complaints here, I have not had coverage for any PCa related care refused. Yes, I do recognize things could change as the journey continues. Best of luck to all.

[chefjlu in reply to GARunner]

Very true. It depends on a few factors and how the state you live in sets parameters. I'm in NY and have a BC/BS advantage plan, I purchased a higher level one and pay a very reasonable amount. As I had BC/BS for my insurance before Medicare they have my records and history. I have encounter no issues. On another side, in NY, once a year you can switch between the two with no penalty, denial or change in cost from the set price. If the need arises I will switch. It's important to use a reputable broker who lays out the plans.

[FRTHBST]

I was so relieved when the wheel turned enough times that I stepped from the land of private insurance for the self employed to the real insurance of medicare, also plan G supplement. A friend who advises people on medicare for a living pointed the way, said medicare advantage was a scam and with plan G "you have what the millionaires have." I was at my brother's house in VA(would have been way out of any MA network) last Summer, had a blood clot and needed to be in the hospital there for a week. A state of the art place with lots of tests and a bill of $800, I was grateful for the choice of regular medicare. Also, if you're low income, many states have an "extra help"program that pays both the regular premium as well as for the the part D drug plan.

[dentaltwin in reply to FRTHBST]

Some medical systems (I know of Mayo) no longer take MA. Given that original Medicare keeps reducing reimbursement rates, there may come a time that doctors in some specialties stop taking that too. But that time is not here yet.

Medicare Advantage was supposed to save the system money, but given how the insurance companies are gaming the system that isn't happening. Clearly something has to be done about that.

[FRTHBST in reply to dentaltwin]

I think that one problem for doctors with the MA version is that it is basically private insurance and doctors treatment decisions can be second guessed by the insurance companies. Care can be delayed or denied.

[dentaltwin in reply to FRTHBST]

Absolutely--restricted choices and prior approvals--that's the downside for the patient.

I'm going in for a heart valve repair next week, and I didn't have to worry about which doctor I wanted.

[85236442968 in reply to FRTHBST]

FRTHBST

An interesting story goes like this.

My wife and I have AARP UnitedHealth Care Plan G. and Well Care Value Script Plan D.

Receny at a family wedding my Brothers and Sisters (4 of them) were sitting at a table and Medicare came up. Before long we were surprised as we all had the same exact plans.

We had never discussed this as a group or in individual conversations before this. 2 of the brothers live in Wisconsin, the sisters in Tennessee and Colorado.

We had all can to this conclusion independently.

[FRTHBST in reply to 85236442968]

Wow! That is interesting, and a positive commentary on your family. Hopefully many others facing the decision of which way to go can employ similar critical faculties in evaluating their options. The fact that apparently 51% of us go for MA is a bit discouraging for those of us who want to see real Medicare survive into the future.

[dentaltwin in reply to 85236442968]

I too have UHC/ AARP G and Wellcare Value Script. (Wellcare is new for me--I moved over from Silverscripts because they had jacked the premium up this year).

[tsim]

Welcome to old age. Things that seem like they happened a few weeks ago actually happened six months ago!

[Tommyj2]

says here you are 64…..presuming you are turning 65 soon?

[fireandice123 in reply to Tommyj2]

Yes, in April

[carbide]

Being old, has some benefits. However, health typically declines. Do what you want now! I'm 73, on Eligard for 5 years.

Best luck my friend. 😁

[Michael-F]

Now 71, I too have "achieved" the milestone of Medicare dependancy! As of April 1, my wife and I will start our Medicare journey. At 65, I was baffled by the regulations and multitude of options for government healthcare insurance coverage. I went on a deep dive to attempt to find clarity. I opted to remain with her corporate insurance (United Healthcare). The policy was very good, my health status was very good and my monthly premium $60. 6 years hence and a whole lot more research, we are staying with Original Medicare with MediGap Plan G.

Whether one opts for a MediGap or MA plan, the key is find a plan that best fits the individual's current and projected future (guaranteed to increase!) health needs and montly budget.

My takeaways:

There is only 1 opportunity to make the best decision! All 1st time enrollees must be accepted regardless of health status. Example: You opt for an MA plan and later decide to switch to original Medicare plus a Medigap plan. The Medigap insurer can either reject you or charge a very high monthly premium based on any new or pre-exisiting conditions.

If you opt for Original Medicare, a Medigap policy is necessary (though not mandated)

MA plans are HMOs (some are PPO). The provider "network" can and does change.

The goverment directly pays the MA insurers to manage you healthcare. Not surprisingly, the more services the deny you, the more $s they keep.

Dental and Vision coverage: Most MA plans offer some degree of coverage. Medigap does not. "Stand alone" plans are available but not very comprehensive.

When the likes of Joe Namath bombards you with claims of free rides, free groceries & part B premiums paid, I strongly suspect that there is a lot more in it for the MA insurer than the individual's healthcare needs.

My siblings in Massachusetts have MA plans through BCBS and have been pleased. Most recently, one developed a neck issue. The MRI has been denied. They are appealing. And they are awaiting a referal from their PCP to see a Neurologist.

As India Jones was prophetically advised: "You must choose. But choose wisely!"

Best wishes for good health & good healthcare coverage!

MF

[rolex1951]

be glad we got the Medicare. all my prostate cancer treatment has cost about $200K. my share has been about $6K God bless America😊

[j-o-h-n]

I guess no one ever told you this before, so I'll do the honor (here goes so brace yourself). "You're only as old as the woman you feel"...........

Good Luck, Good Health and Good Humor.

j-o-h-n

[Jsbach1953]

At seventy I still look 35 or younger, depending on the transparency of the paper bag over my head.

[Mgtd]

Sometimes when you are young and dumb you elect to do something and 50 years latter you realize that it was an amazingly good decision even though you were just lucky and following your passion.

After my tour in Vietnam I loved flying so much I elected to continue flying military jets. At the time the airlines were not hiring and there was a huge surplus of qualified military pilots to fill the few existing commercial flying spots. So I elected to continue flying military aircraft.

After another 12 to 14 years went by and the damn broke and the airlines were hiring again. Some of my buddies left the military then and went to work for the airlines. I elected to not do that and retired from the military at 20 years since flying billets were hard to come by as you aged and your rank increased.

After retiring the airlines were again an option but I elected to do a career change and became a professor.

My wife and I both retired at 58 and have had no medical payments to speak of through all the years. We enjoyed an active retirement until about 5 years ago when our medical luck started to run out and age finally started to catch up with us on the medical front.

Dumb luck yes!