Democratic Primaries

JohnnyRingo

(20,896 posts)

56. Medicare was a severe downgrade for me from GM insurance.

Tue Nov 5, 2019, 01:26 PM

Nov 2019

What used to be $110/mo now costs me $130, plus another $40 for prescription coverage. Copays for the five scripts I need have gone from $.85 average to $15 average per month each. Each year I now pay a $300 deductible on what they call "tier two" medicines that have no generic equiv. Oxygen supplies eat up another $50 a month. I can't get Spiriva that costs almost $10 a day copay. Rescue inhalers run $80/month so I don't get those anymore either. I often joke that I can't afford to breathe.

After 40 years of surviving on employer based insurance I'm now running an average of a $300 deficit beyond my monthly pension and SS. Medical bankruptcy is likely just one more illness away.

Still, I hate to complain because so many have it worse than me. I understand if someone goes from bad or no insurance to Medicare it's a Godsend, but if someone has real health problems, I don't know how they can afford it.

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

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I don't understand the "I like my private insurance" meme. [View all] flamin lib Nov 2019 OP

I've got mine...you lazy unemployed/underemployed twits can f' off and die. ret5hd Nov 2019 #1

They simply don't realize that it can be taken away, or changed, at any moment. SharonAnn Nov 2019 #12

That simply wouldn't happen to an industrious and intelligent servant...I mean employee like myself! ret5hd Nov 2019 #24

It's part of the calvinist authoritarian mindset that has been ingrained MarcA Nov 2019 #120

Plus, if your job is eliminated, so is your health insurance. Lonestarblue Nov 2019 #26

Totally! rownesheck Nov 2019 #28

And also... cannabis_flower Nov 2019 #39

Most small business owners say employee health insurance is a real burden sop Nov 2019 #62

Plus they could compete with foreign companies. Jakes Progress Nov 2019 #148

And overall, it would be cheaper for everyone ... aggiesal Nov 2019 #105

Medicare Part E. I like that. Beartracks Nov 2019 #131

There is already a Medicare Part E radical noodle Nov 2019 #155

Thanks, looked it up ... aggiesal Nov 2019 #159

I've heard some say that radical noodle Nov 2019 #160

I like A-Z as well. It means it covers everything ... aggiesal Nov 2019 #162

Medicare would benefit radical noodle Nov 2019 #163

++++++++++++ not fooled Nov 2019 #32

They also have no idea how much it actually costs BeyondGeography Nov 2019 #59

The last three years have shown that Government mandated healthcare can also be taken away farmbo Nov 2019 #81

You do, but "they" don't? Good grief. Of course "they" do. Hortensis Nov 2019 #85

You have zero choice over the plans Voltaire2 Nov 2019 #135

And your message diverts subject from knowledge to resentment. Hortensis Nov 2019 #136

So your plan is to indirectly remove Voltaire2 Nov 2019 #137

NO! Choice always remains. Private coverage will not be illegal. Hortensis Nov 2019 #140

And after employers stop providing insurance how Voltaire2 Nov 2019 #141

:) Tapped out? Thanks for that last comment, Hortensis Nov 2019 #142

So nothing. Voltaire2 Nov 2019 #145

That's about right. KPN Nov 2019 #73

+1 Meadowoak Nov 2019 #2

Same thoughts here. A total WTF. Maybe they are plants that say they love their private insurance. RKP5637 Nov 2019 #3

It's Harry and Louise! sop Nov 2019 #110

Yep!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Back again!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! n/t RKP5637 Nov 2019 #112

I think that part of it is change is hard for many people, esp around something as fundamentally NRaleighLiberal Nov 2019 #4

This is it exactly. lastlib Nov 2019 #45

Many people don't have the luxury of giving in to their fears loyalsister Nov 2019 #63

Nothing is freaking great about employer-paid private insurance. fleur-de-lisa Nov 2019 #5

Same here. My co-pays just kept going up and up and up. n/t RKP5637 Nov 2019 #10

Co-pays and premiums continue to rise, while the care provided just goes down AllyCat Nov 2019 #69

It is a racket Bettie Nov 2019 #158

For 45 years I had BC/BS paid for safeinOhio Nov 2019 #95

People feel safe when they're told they're covered and safe - like extended warranties /nt bucolic_frolic Nov 2019 #6

They "feel" safe, sure, but employer-based insurance doesn't give the total coverage that M4A does. ancianita Nov 2019 #23

People who've never faced involuntary unemployment, you can be sure. eppur_se_muova Nov 2019 #7

And it puts US employers at a disadvantage to those in countries with national health dawg day Nov 2019 #8

Another aspect of that is international business bids LiberalLovinLug Nov 2019 #50

"I don't like something so nobody else should"? brooklynite Nov 2019 #9

I can see the attraction to having it both ways; I can if I want to but I don't flamin lib Nov 2019 #36

If people look at the vast sums of money they are spending right now on insurance AllyCat Nov 2019 #72

+1 and I would LOVE the chance to get MFA for a four percent tax! JoeOtterbein Nov 2019 #11

It's the old Republican trope where the government cannot do anything right and private is best. LonePirate Nov 2019 #13

Fear of change, plain and simple Fiendish Thingy Nov 2019 #14

THIS KPN Nov 2019 #86

a lot of people wouldnt be here w/o their insurance coverage. you get fond of a lifeline. mopinko Nov 2019 #15

Thank you for saying that so well Boomer Nov 2019 #38

Not been my experience. Mandated coverage and cost controls make flamin lib Nov 2019 #55

Not that hard - an agent will walk you through it free of charge Bradshaw3 Nov 2019 #108

If you have access to a retirement benefits site, go there and get a comparison chart. If not, emmaverybo Nov 2019 #123

The health care debate in America is all about "loss aversion" Skinner Nov 2019 #16

family is a pretty weighty word here. mopinko Nov 2019 #48

They say that untl they get a bill in the mail for $15,000 for 3 screws that their insurance yaesu Nov 2019 #17

Kicked and recommended. Uncle Joe Nov 2019 #18

I wonder what's changed from 2008 when we all agreed that the system was broken Bradshaw3 Nov 2019 #19

I think most people are fine if other simply drop dead jberryhill Nov 2019 #20

This LuvNewcastle Nov 2019 #79

My private insurance is $190 a month. I'm transitioning to Medicare in January... Kahuna7 Nov 2019 #21

You didn't mention your deductibles and copays. Many people have lower premiums, but vsrazdem Nov 2019 #27

My private ded is $1500. Medicare ded will be $185 with 0 copays.nt Kahuna7 Nov 2019 #93

Maybe your part of private insurance was $190 a month, but your employer paid much more than that. SharonAnn Nov 2019 #29

Does it cost $190 a month, or does it cost you $190 a month? Act_of_Reparation Nov 2019 #35

It cost me $190.00. Employer pays half. nt Kahuna7 Nov 2019 #94

So the total cost of the plan is $380 per month. Act_of_Reparation Nov 2019 #99

The average employer pays a much higher percentage than that BeyondGeography Nov 2019 #134

I don't understand how that can be. flamin lib Nov 2019 #42

Is your private insurance a $190 pre-tax payroll deduction... Pacifist Patriot Nov 2019 #64

That's hard to believe jberryhill Nov 2019 #91

Do you have private or Medicare? nt Kahuna7 Nov 2019 #96

I'm 56 years old jberryhill Nov 2019 #98

Medicare Advantage might be cheaper catrose Nov 2019 #128

I'll keep that in mind for next year. Thanks. nt Kahuna7 Nov 2019 #129

These are the same people who are afraid pnwest Nov 2019 #22

A big part of it is that the Medicare you and I are on isn't at all like the "Medicare".... George II Nov 2019 #25

I don't understand why they can't offer the same sort of Medicare that exists now with people able vsrazdem Nov 2019 #31

How so? Which "these plans" are you referring to? KPN Nov 2019 #84

All the plans that use the moniker "Medicare". George II Nov 2019 #89

I'm on Medicare. How are they different other KPN Nov 2019 #111

You'd have to read and compare them, but the most obvious is that the two plans.... George II Nov 2019 #113

I thought only Medicare Advantage was private KPN Nov 2019 #116

Sanders' plan is to phase out pvt insurance within four years, not sure the time frame for Warren... George II Nov 2019 #117

That's pretty darned good. You've piqued my interest. KPN Nov 2019 #132

I think people just want to see the MFA plan and try it out before Hoyt Nov 2019 #30

Agree, also people much prefer something called 'xxx OPTION' over 'xxx FOR ALL' nt mr_lebowski Nov 2019 #43

I don't get it either treestar Nov 2019 #33

From what I see Bettie Nov 2019 #34

when my mom retired back in 2004 or 2005 NewJeffCT Nov 2019 #37

Medicare is a very different insurance snowybirdie Nov 2019 #40

My experience in the last 6 years has not shown any of that. flamin lib Nov 2019 #51

True for you snowybirdie Nov 2019 #75

I can see that in your situation with two permanent residencies. flamin lib Nov 2019 #82

It's a very popular theme on M$NBC, with their nonstop Pharma and Insurance ads. lagomorph777 Nov 2019 #41

In Pharma's case those ads are tax-payer subsidized, so... Anon-C Nov 2019 #67

I get to select my drs, change if they're assholes, decide what specialists I go to, if needed. woodsprite Nov 2019 #44

In the last six years I've changed drs 4 times for the reasons you cite: jerk, flamin lib Nov 2019 #60

people love paying for health care plus skyscrapers, private jets, golden parachutes, advertising Hermit-The-Prog Nov 2019 #46

Better than Medicare for all would be Tricare for all rwsanders Nov 2019 #47

Whether "we" think they should see it a different way is not the issue Thekaspervote Nov 2019 #49

If people knew what a relief it is to be fully covered yellerpup Nov 2019 #52

Americans are fear addicted BannonsLiver Nov 2019 #53

I don't like it, but I still think M4A is bullshit pandering dansolo Nov 2019 #54

Medicare was a severe downgrade for me from GM insurance. JohnnyRingo Nov 2019 #56

My Mom had the same issue eilen Nov 2019 #149

Advantage plans you still have to pay your Medicare part B OKNancy Nov 2019 #57

I don't understand it either. BlueMTexpat Nov 2019 #58

Many people have no clue how their insurance works...until it doesn't cover ... Pacifist Patriot Nov 2019 #61

You've also paid into Medicare your whole life before drawing benefits upon retirement IronLionZion Nov 2019 #65

I'm reading some brilliant campaign messages in this thread... brooklynite Nov 2019 #66

I'm seeing that too and it wasn't my intention to provide a platform flamin lib Nov 2019 #77

It is a false sense of security. They THINK they're covered. But they aren't bitterross Nov 2019 #68

I find it shocking Hangdog Slim Nov 2019 #70

Its an industry and republican meme, that is all Perseus Nov 2019 #71

It's discouraging Politicub Nov 2019 #74

I think the attractiveness Turbineguy Nov 2019 #76

Hospitals don't have wards in the way you have illustrated anymore eilen Nov 2019 #150

That's why I put in the word "myth". Turbineguy Nov 2019 #151

I don't get it either. CrispyQ Nov 2019 #78

The industry spends a lot lobbying dollars to push that narrative. CentralMass Nov 2019 #80

I don't understand it either moose65 Nov 2019 #83

the propaganda machine. barbtries Nov 2019 #87

Even if you have that great job and what you think is great insurance. onecaliberal Nov 2019 #88

My Medicare doesn't cover most of my doctors relayerbob Nov 2019 #90

Bankruptcy attorney EveDibb Nov 2019 #92

Welcome to DU, EveDibb. area51 Nov 2019 #100

Thank you for the welcome EveDibb Nov 2019 #103

Don't get it either... Moral Compass Nov 2019 #97

Frankly, I don't trust my private insurance. Crowman2009 Nov 2019 #101

The main thing that bothers me about private insurance calimary Nov 2019 #102

i think ppl say that bc we're so conditioned to being consumers 1st and foremost Kurt V. Nov 2019 #104

So you have a private insurance plan funded by Medicare. gibraltar72 Nov 2019 #106

Don't You Pay Medicare Part B Premiums Which Covers the Medicare Advantage Plan? Indykatie Nov 2019 #107

There are a number of $0 premium plans. In most cases Medicare picks up the actual premium so you flamin lib Nov 2019 #114

You can choose a Medicare Advantage plan, and then Medicare pays them a premium to handle your vsrazdem Nov 2019 #119

Change. People Fear Change. MineralMan Nov 2019 #109

Kamala's answer yuiyoshida Nov 2019 #115

I can only assume that they've never tried to use it. catrose Nov 2019 #118

I'm with ya, Brother... myohmy2 Nov 2019 #121

And not every employer provided plan is good TexasBushwhacker Nov 2019 #122

They should be saying shadowmayor Nov 2019 #124

I think for some - OhZone Nov 2019 #125

Create a Medicare Advantage (with drug and dental) plan option, and let them decide for themselves. gulliver Nov 2019 #126

I loved my insurance BlueIdaho Nov 2019 #127

It depends on your employment customerserviceguy Nov 2019 #130

dont bet on it.... Locrian Nov 2019 #139

Well, I guess my impression customerserviceguy Nov 2019 #144

yeah it's definitely changed.... Locrian Nov 2019 #146

If air travel customerserviceguy Nov 2019 #147

FOMO - But in this case Fear Of having something taken away and getting something worse. NCLefty Nov 2019 #133

My own personal experience... wysimdnwyg Nov 2019 #138

You pay a premium. LogicFirst Nov 2019 #143

I wonder if part of it could be employer plans moonscape Nov 2019 #152

I have the best health care plan the US has to offer bluescribbler Nov 2019 #153

I'm in a union. JNelson6563 Nov 2019 #154

This is what some people miss radical noodle Nov 2019 #161

Here's a specific example: ecstatic Nov 2019 #156

I like my private insurance Dem4Life1102 Nov 2019 #157