Time to Sign up for MediCare

Yeah, I've an appointment w/an agent tomorrow. (A shame I don't have a fireplace to make good use of all the paper added to my mailbox these last few months. They did add to the global warming, however, as we burn our papers.) Lots of unnecessary phone calls to answer. (Please, no schooling on "How Not to Answer Your Phone.)

Alas! Here I am. I've made it through the preliminary, and am headed for the homestretch. Lucky for me, I'm familiar with this agent, as he is the one my husband dealt with. He knows his stuff like the back of his hand; knows the right questions to ask to lead you to the best plan for you.

There are points that annoy about the whole thing, however. For example: The cards you receive to spend on OTC and groceries. For starters, there's only one game in town that accepts them. Yup, you guessed it: Wally World. Oh, that's not what they say, of course. They say, "You can spend these at any retailer that accepts Humana/Ateana/fill-in-the-blank cards."

#2. It's obviously the taxpayers who are paying for that. Yes, of course I've paid in to MediCare, and deserve the medical care promised in return. All of the above? I'm not so sure.

And just who pays all these "free" agents? (Rhetorical question, but why not ask, eh?)

And just where does Humana, Aetna, United, etc., get all the money to pay for all the "free" stuff they offer; such as "free" dentistry, hearing, and eye care? And then there's those "$0 plans," where the customer has no premium, and their copays and deductibles are negligible, at best.

2cent wrote:Yeah, I've an appointment w/an agent tomorrow.  (A shame I don't have a fireplace to make good use of all the paper added to my mailbox these last few months.  They did add to the global warming, however, as we burn our papers.)  Lots of unnecessary phone calls to answer.  (Please, no schooling on "How Not to Answer Your Phone.)

Alas!  Here I am.  I've made it through the preliminary, and am headed for the homestretch.  Lucky for me, I'm familiar with this agent, as he is the one my husband dealt with.  He knows his stuff like the back of his hand; knows the right questions to ask to lead you to the best plan for you.  

There are points that annoy about the whole thing, however.  For example:  The cards you receive to spend on OTC and groceries.  For starters, there's only one game in town that accepts them.  Yup, you guessed it:  Wally World.  Oh, that's not what they say, of course.  They say, "You can spend these at any retailer that accepts Humana/Ateana/fill-in-the-blank cards."  

#2.  It's obviously the taxpayers who are paying for that.  Yes, of course I've paid in to MediCare, and deserve the medical care promised in return.  All of the above?  I'm not so sure.

And just who pays all these "free" agents?  (Rhetorical question, but why not ask, eh?)

And just where does Humana, Aetna, United, etc., get all the money to pay for all the "free" stuff they offer; such as "free" dentistry, hearing, and eye care? And then there's those "$0 plans," where the customer has no premium, and their copays and deductibles are negligible, at best.  

Yes, of course the taxpayers are paying for all of it. The whole Obamacare scam was just a way to divert more money to social programs, go after the middle class working stiff and promote dependence on the government. Once you have someone and their family dependent on the government for their healthcare, you have a good way to control them.

Just imagine all of the cushy government jobs that were created? All of which are available to fill with political appointees...

How does one get on a $0 plan?

Red Lily wrote:How does one get on a $0 plan?

Ignore the law and sneak into the country illegally and VOILA' the Biden Administration will give you "free" healthcare, "free" education, "free" income/welfare, "free" papers, "free licenses, "free" legal representation and "free" citizenship. The only stipulation is that you must vote for a Democrat...

Red Lily wrote:How does one get on a $0 plan?

Medicare, in case you didn't know, is (WAS!) the "free" medical plan that workers are forced to contribute to throughout their working career.
In return for the wee investment every paycheck, your medical care is taken care of throughout your retirement, until the day you die.

Ha! Enter all kinds of twists and turns from the loving government in their attempts to "save" Medicare; same goes for Medicaid. (MediCARE = retirees who've contributed to the system all their lives. MediCAID = all the people UNDER retirement age who get medical care - of all kinds and shapes - for FREE - w/o having contributed a dime.)
THEY get a far better plan then retirees do.

The system USED to be SO much better. Come 65, retirees had their medical care taken care of, plain and simple.
Enter ObamaCare, and it went even WAY further south than what President Bush suggested, but didn't take hold.

Ack. Trying to keep it short and simple is a magician's job.

I have to pay in $170 per mo. to get my basic medical care. However, $0.00 premium for the extra eye/dental/hearing, and prescription drugs. However....

Convoluted as can be, and the people who've worked hard and contributed all their lives get treated far WORSE then the beggars.

I'm angry and very pissed off!

2cent wrote:Yeah, I've an appointment w/an agent tomorrow.  (A shame I don't have a fireplace to make good use of all the paper added to my mailbox these last few months.  They did add to the global warming, however, as we burn our papers.)  Lots of unnecessary phone calls to answer.  (Please, no schooling on "How Not to Answer Your Phone.)

Alas!  Here I am.  I've made it through the preliminary, and am headed for the homestretch.  Lucky for me, I'm familiar with this agent, as he is the one my husband dealt with.  He knows his stuff like the back of his hand; knows the right questions to ask to lead you to the best plan for you.  

There are points that annoy about the whole thing, however.  For example:  The cards you receive to spend on OTC and groceries.  For starters, there's only one game in town that accepts them.  Yup, you guessed it:  Wally World.  Oh, that's not what they say, of course.  They say, "You can spend these at any retailer that accepts Humana/Ateana/fill-in-the-blank cards."  

#2.  It's obviously the taxpayers who are paying for that.  Yes, of course I've paid in to MediCare, and deserve the medical care promised in return.  All of the above?  I'm not so sure.

And just who pays all these "free" agents?  (Rhetorical question, but why not ask, eh?)

And just where does Humana, Aetna, United, etc., get all the money to pay for all the "free" stuff they offer; such as "free" dentistry, hearing, and eye care? And then there's those "$0 plans," where the customer has no premium, and their copays and deductibles are negligible, at best.  

One word of caution: You have a short grace period (60 days IIRC) to get on the Medicare gap-insurance programs. Otherwise, you're stuck with only Medicare - which only pays hospital bills. NOT provider visits; NOT pills; NOT outpatient treatments.

Get on Medicare Part B. You will want it; and if you wait until later, there's a PERMANENT premium penalty. Never goes away.

I know all this because the law was changed; and I became eligible for Medicare before 65. Backdated. So I had no grace period. And I have to pay a $20 (extra) premium each month for Part B.

If you don't get the gap insurance during your grace period, you have to wait until Open Enrollment - October through December. Basically it means you're on your own until that time.

The Medicare Advantage plans ($0 premium) function like an HMO, I guess. I'm still finding my way through them. You need to find an insurance agent who sells those policies - only a few do, they have to be certified by FedGov) and go over which one might work for you.

None of this is good. It's endlessly confusing; but what isn't, in this age. ESPECIALLY as regards insurance - any kind of insurance, auto insurance, homeowner's insurance, anything.

2cent wrote:

Red Lily wrote:How does one get on a $0 plan?

Medicare, in case you didn't know, is (WAS!) the "free" medical plan that workers are forced to contribute to throughout their working career.
In return for the wee investment every paycheck, your medical care is taken care of throughout your retirement, until the day you die.

Ha!  Enter all kinds of twists and turns from the loving government in their attempts to "save" Medicare; same goes for Medicaid.  (MediCARE = retirees who've contributed to the system all their lives.  MediCAID = all the people UNDER retirement age who get medical care - of all kinds and shapes - for FREE - w/o having contributed a dime.)
THEY get a far better plan then retirees do.

The system USED to be SO much better.  Come 65, retirees had their medical care taken care of, plain and simple.
Enter ObamaCare, and it went even WAY further south than what President Bush suggested, but didn't take hold.

Ack.  Trying to keep it short and simple is a magician's job.  

I have to pay in $170 per mo. to get my basic medical care.  However, $0.00 premium for the extra eye/dental/hearing, and prescription drugs. However....

Convoluted as can be, and the people who've worked hard and contributed all their lives get treated far WORSE then the beggars.  

I'm angry and very pissed off!

""Convoluted as can be, and the people who've worked hard and contributed all their lives get treated far WORSE then the beggars. ""

That is a reality where ever you are in the world , You can make the call and become a beggar yourself if it makes you feel better about it ?

2cent wrote:

Red Lily wrote:How does one get on a $0 plan?

Medicare, in case you didn't know, is (WAS!) the "free" medical plan that workers are forced to contribute to throughout their working career.
In return for the wee investment every paycheck, your medical care is taken care of throughout your retirement, until the day you die.

Ha!  Enter all kinds of twists and turns from the loving government in their attempts to "save" Medicare; same goes for Medicaid.  (MediCARE = retirees who've contributed to the system all their lives.  MediCAID = all the people UNDER retirement age who get medical care - of all kinds and shapes - for FREE - w/o having contributed a dime.)
THEY get a far better plan then retirees do.

The system USED to be SO much better.  Come 65, retirees had their medical care taken care of, plain and simple.
Enter ObamaCare, and it went even WAY further south than what President Bush suggested, but didn't take hold.

Ack.  Trying to keep it short and simple is a magician's job.  

I have to pay in $170 per mo. to get my basic medical care.  However, $0.00 premium for the extra eye/dental/hearing, and prescription drugs. However....

Convoluted as can be, and the people who've worked hard and contributed all their lives get treated far WORSE then the beggars.  

I'm angry and very pissed off!

It all sounds so very convoluted and I hope you get it sorted out. I'm not sure why you need an agent though. Can't you deal directly with the companies and not pay the middle man?

Red Lily wrote:

It all sounds so very convoluted and I hope you get it sorted out.  I'm not sure why you need an agent though.  Can't you deal directly with the companies and not pay the middle man?

NO.

In fact, you can't even use just any insurance agent.

He/she has to be trained in Medicare Supplement insurance. It's AGAINST THE LAW for other agents, even in that same agency, to even discuss particulars.

They are that strict. Training (each year before Open Enrollment) and then certification and authority to sell the Supplement Insurance.

The agency I went to, was a husband/wife situation, and the man, who was the principal of the agency, would not discuss anything of what I could get. He was happy to discuss why he couldn't discuss it; but he could not discuss it.

The government also stipulates other behaviors. For example, a year ago, all their participating agents had to do meetings with buyers by Skype/Zoom. Were NOT allowed to see people in person. That's been abolished today; but the CDC/SSA sure wants to amp up the Fear Factor.

Have to go through an agent approved to sell this Supplement insurance.

Casey Jones wrote:

Red Lily wrote:

It all sounds so very convoluted and I hope you get it sorted out.  I'm not sure why you need an agent though.  Can't you deal directly with the companies and not pay the middle man?

NO.

In fact, you can't even use just any insurance agent.

He/she has to be trained in Medicare Supplement insurance.  It's AGAINST THE LAW for other agents, even in that same agency, to even discuss particulars.

They are that strict.  Training (each year before Open Enrollment) and then certification and authority to sell the Supplement Insurance.

The agency I went to, was a husband/wife situation, and the man, who was the principal of the agency, would not discuss anything of what I could get.  He was happy to discuss why he couldn't discuss it; but he could not discuss it.

The government also stipulates other behaviors.  For example, a year ago, all their participating agents had to do meetings with buyers by Skype/Zoom.  Were NOT allowed to see people in person.  That's been abolished today; but the CDC/SSA sure wants to amp up the Fear Factor.

Have to go through an agent approved to sell this Supplement insurance.

""In fact, you can't even use just any insurance agent.""

Is this a recent thing or has it been in place for years ?