General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsI wish everyone could have Medicare.
I was just in the hospital. Went to ER and got admitted. Had tests and tons of lab work. Was in 2 days.
Got all straightened out.
My Humana Advantage paid for everything but two
$45 doctor bills.
Then I needed new glasses and Humana paid $200 of that.
I just wish that kind of care for everyone.
lapucelle
(18,399 posts)dugog55
(296 posts)It is $95 a month. I had a supplemental specialist (broker?) not affiliated with any one insurance come to my house, ask me health questions, then she recommended a couple of plans to pick from. From what I saw, they were all around $100, give or take. A friend of mine has a FREE policy. Not sure why that was not offered to me though.
I would say it is a good idea to have someone come to your house and help you out. Eight months before you are qualified to receive Medicare you are bombarded with plans. It actually continues even after you are well past 65. There is way too much information to wade through and read all the plans. Best to have someone sort out most of it for you. BTW, it was free for her to come to my house to. And it only takes an hour or so of your time.
lapucelle
(18,399 posts)A friend yesterday told me he pays $1000 a month for comparable ("Cadillac" grade) medigap insurance. That's why I was asking.
My friend, however, is well to do, and his plan is truly top-of-the-line. Additionally, NYC is probably a very expensive market.
Corgigal
(9,291 posts)Is about an 50 dollars extra a month.However, my husband pension pays him extra to cover it.
600 a year.
Corgigal
(9,291 posts)My husband Humana, Medicare plus..would cost 300 a day in the hospital, unless admitted for 3 days. However, the ER would have been free. However, he is getting hearing aids, each one cost 850. If he had a lower Humana, it wouldnt be covered at all. Straight Medicare, isnt that good. Which is why he has best upgrade in insurance we could find.
My VA, is better then Medicare.
ConstanceCee
(314 posts)I am so thankful for Medicare. I pay, but not an extraordinary amount, and I am covered. I think rather than a sweeping MFA, the age to qualify should be lowered gradually.
stopbush
(24,398 posts)Medicare bills me $135 a month, deducted from my SS check. My supplemental Kaiser Advantage plan costs me $0 a month. I pay $20 for dental, vision and hearing. So, $155 a month total premium for everything, including prescription drugs.
Was just in the hospital for surgery and a one night stay. The bill was over $10,000. My copay was $225.
area51
(11,940 posts)Grasswire2
(13,575 posts)Here's why.
With Medigap, the benefits are standardized throughout the health industry. With Advantage plans, the insurer concocts their own palette of benefits, some of which are basically useless, and the whole of which is often hype and hard to understand. Very hard to compare, provider to provider.
The sticky part, though, is that you must choose a Medigap plan when you become eligible for medicare. If you drop it for any reason, you have to be recertified and the cost may be a bit higher.
I had the Medigap gold standard Plan F (which is not offered now) and had to drop it due to temporary inability to pay. Very bad decision a few years back.
leftyladyfrommo
(18,874 posts)My Humana Advantage Gold is $15 a month.
I think my Medicare premium is about $135.
Grasswire2
(13,575 posts)But when benefits are standardized by law, insurers can't fake you out with confusing comparisons and meaningless gestures
leftyladyfrommo
(18,874 posts)I think it would be worth it if you have health issues and need more medical care. I have a friend with it abd it picks up everything.