Democratic Primaries

Peacetrain

(24,291 posts) Fri Jun 7, 2019, 01:46 PM Jun 2019

I am on Medicare.. and Medicare is not free.. I had free insurance from work till I retired [View all]

I never had to pay a penny.. now that I am on Medicare I have to pay 302.00 a month for part B.. medicare only covers 80% of your needs.. and trust me, your needs increase as you get older.. so I have seen a lot of talk about Medicare for all.. I just do not see how that works.. I have friends who pay closer to 450.00 a month because they have more complicated health histories.. My brother was able to benefit from ACA before he passed away, and he was only 50 (Diabetes is a horrid thing).. he could never have afforded 300.00 a month for Medicare..

That does not cover your prescription part D.. and for many those prescriptions can eat you alive..

I just thought about this after getting off the phone with a friend who is about to retire..

quick edit to add.... the 302 is my supplemental.. 135.50 is my part B.. together they cover the 20% medicare does not cover.. and then there is the 29.00 for Dental.. it ain't cheap folks.. plan your retirements well.

If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden

169 replies

= new reply since forum marked as read

Highlight:

I am on Medicare.. and Medicare is not free.. I had free insurance from work till I retired [View all] Peacetrain Jun 2019 OP

What's your point? theaocp Jun 2019 #1

My point is .. Medicare is expensive.. retirement is not for the weak of heart.. Peacetrain Jun 2019 #3

You don't see how that CAN work? theaocp Jun 2019 #7

Because "tax the rich" wont raise nearly enough money to cover the costs. Go ahead, show the money. oldsoftie Jun 2019 #16

The point is NYMinute Jun 2019 #23

That's fine. Most people with employer Voltaire2 Jun 2019 #67

lol NYMinute Jun 2019 #133

No. Voltaire2 Jun 2019 #138

I'm not the poster you responded to but my point would be that it shouldn't have... SouthernProgressive Jun 2019 #79

The only way insurance for all can work is simple... uawchild Jun 2019 #11

... NYMinute Jun 2019 #26

Sounds like something Jesus would support lol n/t uawchild Jun 2019 #35

From wealthy conservatives. BannonsLiver Jun 2019 #40

Actually how Canada did it pandr32 Jun 2019 #54

that is not happening The Mouth Jun 2019 #66

How does it work? ask any other modern country. bahrbearian Jun 2019 #21

No it isn't. Medicare doesn't cover prescriptions and it only pays out at 80% tymorial Jun 2019 #72

You are talking about two different things. One at a time. LiberalLovinLug Jun 2019 #94

The Drug/Pharmacutical industry should be nationalized. rgbecker Jun 2019 #136

Absolutely LiberalLovinLug Jun 2019 #150

This message was self-deleted by its author Kahuna7 Jun 2019 #149

Right, but you have to... SkyDaddy7 Jun 2019 #73

Sorry to burst your bubble snowybirdie Jun 2019 #154

Nice try bahrbearian Jun 2019 #156

Calling it Medicare for All snowybirdie Jun 2019 #162

Low income seniors can get Medicaid on top of Medicare. I'm sure the same thing pnwmom Jun 2019 #76

Yep DownriverDem Jun 2019 #104

Supplemental Medigap insurance also depends on when you purchase it. Desert grandma Jun 2019 #139

Medicare is not free, but it is affordable health care for age 65+ people. ooky Jun 2019 #122

I am curious why you retired before age 65 Skittles Jun 2019 #140

Health reasons. ooky Jun 2019 #148

I cannot even imagine being in a physical job at my age Skittles Jun 2019 #157

This is one of many reasons why the ACA's subsidies are so important. ooky Jun 2019 #158

absolutely correct Skittles Jun 2019 #161

What some don't factor in is the deductible amount employer plans... brush Jun 2019 #160

Medicare is expensive and weak because all it covers is sick and elderly people. Hassin Bin Sober Jun 2019 #141

His point is Soxfan58 Jun 2019 #130

"Medicare for all" isn't the same as free healthcare. yardwork Jun 2019 #146

Are you getting a supplement insurance plan? uawchild Jun 2019 #2

That's important. There are several of them and many have that cost... brush Jun 2019 #159

Many do not realize that Medicare is an insurance company, not a health care provider question everything Jun 2019 #4

I have never really thought about it before, and talking with my friend Peacetrain Jun 2019 #5

Please explain the concept of hospitals "quitting". theaocp Jun 2019 #10

they close down dsc Jun 2019 #25

You mean Medicaid expansion. Not Medicare! hedda_foil Jun 2019 #38

thanks dsc Jun 2019 #65

Medicare pays less then commercial insurers tymorial Jun 2019 #126

Not sure how many hospitals would "quit," but a lot would have to cut back. Fact is, hospitals Hoyt Jun 2019 #30

A few years ago spouse had a knee replacement, 3 days in the hospital question everything Jun 2019 #137

Bingo. emmaverybo Jun 2019 #37

Unless the system was funded as if we gave a damn about each other. lostnfound Jun 2019 #53

"Unless the system was funded as if we gave a damn about each other" luvtheGWN Jun 2019 #101

We need to push for Dental and Hearing to be added to Medicare. We can spend billions if not walkingman Jun 2019 #6

Yep that is another 29.00 a month Peacetrain Jun 2019 #9

We have Medicare too-- ginnyinWI Jun 2019 #84

Agree. Medicare Advantage plans are the way to go. PPO, not HMO that is. pazzyanne Jun 2019 #109

Agree. llmart Jun 2019 #91

It is covered in Bernie Sanders plan. roody Jun 2019 #129

Medicare costs vary according to income IphengeniaBlumgarten Jun 2019 #8

oh crap... the 302 is my supplemental.. 135.50 is my part B.. got that turned around Peacetrain Jun 2019 #13

Well, you realize zipplewrath Jun 2019 #22

It may be better than the alternative, but it is hardly cheap. Big Blue Marble Jun 2019 #56

yabbutt zipplewrath Jun 2019 #98

And that $135 and $302 don't cover all of Part B and Part A Medicare costs. Hoyt Jun 2019 #44

Exactly that is what I am saying... Medicare does not cover all the services.. you have to pay the Peacetrain Jun 2019 #50

You're overpaying by a LOT on your supplemental policy. hedda_foil Jun 2019 #47

So did I research.. complicated health history.. has its costs Peacetrain Jun 2019 #51

That's true if you get a supplement when first eligible for Medicare. If you wait, you'll be charged Hoyt Jun 2019 #58

Yes. I initially considered F, but then reviewed G. sprinkleeninow Jun 2019 #113

Its not for the faint of heart that is for sure.. Peacetrain Jun 2019 #121

I don't know where you live, but my supplemental is $117 a month. You realize that all supplemental vsrazdem Jun 2019 #108

MFA would cost me quite a bit and is not adaptable for families...employer provides subsudies now Demsrule86 Jun 2019 #41

That isn't true. Voltaire2 Jun 2019 #100

the Medicare-for-all proposals expand Medicare beyond what it currently covers KayF Jun 2019 #12

The only way that will happen under our current political and corporate structure Big Blue Marble Jun 2019 #27

I can't see losing all those jobs. It won't happen and if we try...out goes our elected. Demsrule86 Jun 2019 #45

There will still be a need for many of those jobs. Voltaire2 Jun 2019 #102

MFA is not a winning issue....workplace insurance Wiill derail it as it Demsrule86 Jun 2019 #144

They would be paying much less for Voltaire2 Jun 2019 #145

Not true. MFA is EXPENSIVE. Demsrule86 Jun 2019 #165

Nope. Unbiased assessments evaluating Voltaire2 Jun 2019 #168

You paid for your employer based healthcare with lower wages Yavin4 Jun 2019 #14

this n/t uawchild Jun 2019 #18

They will never give employees extra wages if they no longer have to pay health care. Demsrule86 Jun 2019 #46

So ... make them all contribute to MFA like they now pay for private insurance? mr_lebowski Jun 2019 #77

Sure that will happen. MFA is not going to work. Demsrule86 Jun 2019 #143

Correct. I did not get any extra salary though I never took insurance through my employer. n/t seaglass Jun 2019 #120

Your anecdotal evidence is just that. Hassin Bin Sober Jun 2019 #147

Really? I have worked for more than one company and have never seen that an employee gets a higher seaglass Jun 2019 #167

They may not be the beneficiaries but they sure get the detrimental effects. Hassin Bin Sober Jun 2019 #169

Here is a chart for cost of medicare part b - 2019... asiliveandbreathe Jun 2019 #15

Remember you also have at least $135 deducted from your social security payments each month. Big Blue Marble Jun 2019 #17

I got my supplemental and part b turned around.. corrected it in the edit in my post Peacetrain Jun 2019 #20

Yes thank for making this point. Big Blue Marble Jun 2019 #28

I hear that.. hubby and I together are close to 1,000 a month in Medicare costs with the part be and Peacetrain Jun 2019 #61

The supplemental costs $0 where I live in CA. stopbush Jun 2019 #19

wow .. it gets a little tight trying to get both of our medicares and supplemental paid.. happy for Peacetrain Jun 2019 #24

That is because you chose the Republican designed Part C. Big Blue Marble Jun 2019 #39

A little over 30% of Medicare beneficiaries voluntarily choose Medicare Advantage because they don't Hoyt Jun 2019 #52

It really does depend on the quality of the HMO. Big Blue Marble Jun 2019 #60

If it helps people who can't afford a $150/$200 month supplement and drug plan, Hoyt Jun 2019 #62

We have been with Kaiser Permanente since 2005 stopbush Jun 2019 #86

You have a Medicare Advantage plan. It's different from Supplemental. hedda_foil Jun 2019 #48

I would like to know Ohiogal Jun 2019 #29

It was a benefit... Peacetrain Jun 2019 #31

Must have been quite a while ago. Voltaire2 Jun 2019 #106

I have similar benefits right now. drray23 Jun 2019 #152

What Yavin4 said above - to say "I never paid a penny" is a bizarre lie ProfessorPlum Jun 2019 #32

See post above you.. Peacetrain Jun 2019 #33

so, they never told you what you were paying for it ProfessorPlum Jun 2019 #43

You're absolutely right. Regular Medicare pushes people to buy supplemental ins. YOHABLO Jun 2019 #34

My (Govt) retirement has free health insurance for me and my spouse... brooklynite Jun 2019 #36

Medicaid for all would be ideal. Turin_C3PO Jun 2019 #42

Right. Medicare for all would have to entirely revamp the Kahuna7 Jun 2019 #49

Exactly so... comradebillyboy Jun 2019 #96

it is free in the sense that the Part B premiums are paid by others and not by you Kaleva Jun 2019 #55

I pay about $266 for Part B + Medigap Plan G + Part D drug plan combined. My ACA was $958... Honeycombe8 Jun 2019 #57

so (given a 6000 dollar annual deductible) you had to pay $17,500 or so per year?? Celerity Jun 2019 #93

Yes, the premiums were about $12k a year the last couple of years. Honeycombe8 Jun 2019 #118

thanks so much for the reply Celerity Jun 2019 #123

Medicare is expensive because it covers an older group of people The Velveteen Ocelot Jun 2019 #59

Somewhat less expensive, yes. A lot less expensive, questionable because we are adding in a lot Hoyt Jun 2019 #70

Exactly. Expanding the risk pool lowers the cost per person TexasBushwhacker Jun 2019 #74

Your monthly premiums don't have to cost that much. sabrams Jun 2019 #63

Here is a link to an explanation on how it works.... KSNY Jun 2019 #64

Excellent. I have been posting about this for a while now. tymorial Jun 2019 #68

I pay nothing for Medicare left-of-center2012 Jun 2019 #69

Pure bunk moniss Jun 2019 #71

really good post -but can you add some line returns? - n/t Locrian Jun 2019 #83

thanks moniss Jun 2019 #114

I would add Hamlette Jun 2019 #115

I like Medicare for America but NOT single payer Indygram Jun 2019 #75

Right on the mark, Peacetrain peggysue2 Jun 2019 #78

Medicare pay not be free, but it's sure cheap calguy Jun 2019 #80

You are forgetting about the Medicare tax you and your employer paid for decades, and taxes paid by Hoyt Jun 2019 #81

I'm not forgetting that calguy Jun 2019 #134

Paying $302/month for Medicare JGug1 Jun 2019 #82

Never mind Peacetrain Jun 2019 #85

I really like what I have, but would like everyone to be covered. For that, I won't complain about emmaverybo Jun 2019 #87

Yes it is expensive.. I have the advantage plan and it all runs me about $500 a month LiberalArkie Jun 2019 #88

Medicare for all . . . people Jun 2019 #89

There are options to the standard Medicare supplement. MineralMan Jun 2019 #90

It is good re-evalute yearly.. and then some of us have to go to Peacetrain Jun 2019 #95

Got it. MineralMan Jun 2019 #105

I find it confusing.. so you know many also do.. Peacetrain Jun 2019 #110

I wish some of the... Mike Nelson Jun 2019 #92

I do not understand how it actually works Doreen Jun 2019 #97

I disagree seta1950 Jun 2019 #99

Medicare and the supplemental are better than any employer insurance I ever had Bradshaw3 Jun 2019 #103

sorry but i have been on Medicare for 11 years chillfactor Jun 2019 #107

You've been pretty fortunate. i pay more that thru my employer's insurance. Kurt V. Jun 2019 #111

Eighteen months until I'm 65 and I can't wait for Medicare! OMGWTF Jun 2019 #112

I am not saying Medicare is not good.. its very good.. but it only Peacetrain Jun 2019 #117

I went on Medicare in January, Staph Jun 2019 #116

I did a quick add of our expenses on Medicare Peacetrain Jun 2019 #119

I dropped my Supplemental as I didn't need that much coverage. lark Jun 2019 #124

"Medicare for all" works if its spending doubles. MadDAsHell Jun 2019 #125

Your employer was paying for that insurance. greymattermom Jun 2019 #127

I agree I pay $135.50 for Medicare and $125 doc03 Jun 2019 #128

These flaws were designed into the program. guillaumeb Jun 2019 #131

I would gladly pay 500+/month to buy into Medicare and at an earlier age Freethinker65 Jun 2019 #132

You're right. Medicare needs to be much better. shanny Jun 2019 #135

we need... myohmy2 Jun 2019 #142

This story has been making the rounds, RazBerryBeret Jun 2019 #151

Didn't you have deductions from your paycheck while working for healthcare? brush Jun 2019 #153

I pay more than 3x that for insurance through my work currently. TCJ70 Jun 2019 #155

But don't forget, we ALREADY paid for Medicare for decades, Hortensis Jun 2019 #163

Are you saying you pay a total of $437.50 for Part B and a supplemental plan? SMC22307 Jun 2019 #164

Please take a look at the proposals for Medicare for All and PNHP's FAQ area51 Jun 2019 #166