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OldHippieChick

(2,434 posts)

50. This is all so fascinating as it appears we all pay

Sat Apr 29, 2017, 03:40 PM

Apr 2017

something different depending on how old we are, where we live and when we retire.

Just after I started taking Medicare I moved from a state w/ Kaiser to one that didn't have Kaiser so thought I'd decide on gap plans later. Oops, landed in the hospital w/ no gap plan. I pay $140 per month for standard Medicare (A&B) but found that Medicare does some great negotiating and I didn't pay nearly as much as I expected after 8 days in the hospital. All total is was less than I would have paid had I had a gap plan.

Also, I got these wonderful discount cards in the mail that give me reduced prices for prescriptions even though I do not have that Medicare coverage.

I do not understand why this has to be so confusing, but I guess that is part of the insurance co plan. We just need to keep communicating w/ one another to be sure we don't get any more screwed than we already are.

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I have Medicare it is not free health insurance. [View all] wasupaloopa Apr 2017 OP

Welcome to DU, wasupaloopa! femmocrat Apr 2017 #1

Thanks. I am not new to DU I just could not use my past log in after the election hack. My email wasupaloopa Apr 2017 #14

By and large, all progressives know that gov't programs are not "free"... Wounded Bear Apr 2017 #2

Well I read many replys to the other medicare thread this morning where posters described Medicare. wasupaloopa Apr 2017 #9

All I'm saying is that we know it isn't "free"... Wounded Bear Apr 2017 #20

What is paid for with payroll deductions is only part A which is coverage for hospital bed days and wasupaloopa Apr 2017 #52

The OP makes a good point however MichMan Apr 2017 #48

In addition, you paid into Medicare through your taxes while you worked. The Velveteen Ocelot Apr 2017 #3

I have Medicare with no supplemental - but it's through a local hospital and it's great womanofthehills Apr 2017 #36

That sounds wondeful. Can we all get that? wasupaloopa Apr 2017 #53

I have no supplemental- I just signed up with our local Presbyterian Hospital in NM womanofthehills Apr 2017 #65

Buy that policy from a private insurer dpibel Apr 2017 #4

I agree with all you are saying and I am not complainging. When I was working I had a high wasupaloopa Apr 2017 #10

I don't think the OP was complaining about the cost of Medicare, The Velveteen Ocelot Apr 2017 #28

Excellent Coverage Description, but as a retired manager at CMS, BlackCherokee Apr 2017 #5

Thanks for the correction. I was under the impression that private companies contracted with wasupaloopa Apr 2017 #11

"Center for Medicare Services a corporation" dpibel Apr 2017 #6

Wonder what you want I don't care. Some where in my past I had occation to have to deal with CMS wasupaloopa Apr 2017 #12

As a government agency it used to be called "HCFA" BumRushDaShow Apr 2017 #30

You're not fuzzy! charlyvi Apr 2017 #37

Thanks for that it gives me hope my mind isn't going too fast. wasupaloopa Apr 2017 #54

There's an informative brochure about Medicare available at Medicare.gov. beaglelover Apr 2017 #17

+1. Don't think most people realize how much beneficiaries pay out of their pocket for Medicare. Hoyt Apr 2017 #7

We need to curb people/organizations profiting off of controlling healthcare killbotfactory Apr 2017 #8

I agree with that. wasupaloopa Apr 2017 #13

Healthcare should be universal and everyone should pay for it Yavin4 Apr 2017 #15

Sales taxes do pay for some health care. I worked for a CA county Alcohol, Drug and Mental Health wasupaloopa Apr 2017 #16

Desn't Canada pay for theirs with a 15 % GST tax? nm MichMan Apr 2017 #49

I am not familiar with Canada's system wasupaloopa Apr 2017 #51

The cost of medicare would go down shockey80 Apr 2017 #18

somehow we would need to make it permanent like a constitutional amendment saying health care is a wasupaloopa Apr 2017 #19

I believe in Medicare for all, but I do not believe it is going to lower the cost more than 8% or Hoyt Apr 2017 #25

I have an Advantage Plan, PoindexterOglethorpe Apr 2017 #21

The basic truth about Medicare is that... Wounded Bear Apr 2017 #22

I also have an Advantage plan, aka Part C. ginnyinWI Apr 2017 #23

I do too. Had Kaiser before I went back on employer's plan. I liked it, but didn't have much choice Hoyt Apr 2017 #27

I've had Advantage through Kaiser for over a decade. procon Apr 2017 #33

I liked Kaiser too. Plus, with Advantage plans, there is a cap on how much you pay out-of-pocket. Hoyt Apr 2017 #39

Its troublesome, to be sure, and very confusing for a lot of seniors. procon Apr 2017 #43

I was under the impression that Medicare was an extension of ...... northoftheborder Apr 2017 #24

You are eligible at 65 for Medicare, period. No husband, employment, or retirement needed. But there WinkyDink Apr 2017 #35

"A lot of people are never in the system in their work"---Not in the US, there aren't. WinkyDink Apr 2017 #38

There is a penalty if you do not start Medicare at age 65 radical noodle Apr 2017 #40

So people who never paid in are still eligible? MichMan Apr 2017 #46

Not exactly. You aren't eligible for Social Security unless The Velveteen Ocelot Apr 2017 #47

You pay for Part A only through payroll deductions. It covers hospital bed days only and there is a wasupaloopa Apr 2017 #55

I'm pretty much in your position, but I don't understany why your supplemental insurance is $180... George II Apr 2017 #26

Depends on what the supplemental policy covers. The Velveteen Ocelot Apr 2017 #45

The cost of your supplemental not only depends on what DURHAM D Apr 2017 #59

We're 69 and 68 years old, and our UHC plan actually went down to $25 from $29 the prev. year. George II Apr 2017 #61

I believe you have medicare advantage, not regular medicare. nt DURHAM D Apr 2017 #62

bravo for the post AllaN01Bear Apr 2017 #29

I've been saying this for over a year radical noodle Apr 2017 #31

There is no such thing as free healthcare. mwooldri Apr 2017 #32

My late 91-yr-old mother's AARP Supplemental cost $250/mo. If our taxes can pay for the Pentagon and WinkyDink Apr 2017 #34

I have Medicare and I NEVER chillfactor Apr 2017 #41

I have Humana as my supplement... chillfactor Apr 2017 #42

Sounds like you have an advantage plan, not regular medicare supplemental. nt DURHAM D Apr 2017 #60

I am 73 and have an Advantage plan Mickju Apr 2017 #44

This is all so fascinating as it appears we all pay OldHippieChick Apr 2017 #50

I'm on Medicare and can't really afford supplemental insurance. Vinca Apr 2017 #57

I am no expert, but I think this may be the secret. Don't buy all those Humana, OldHippieChick Apr 2017 #58

Where you live also determines supplemental costs. erinlough Apr 2017 #66

But... El Supremo Apr 2017 #56

Medicare for all would save businesses tons of money. Ilsa Apr 2017 #63

Maybe; maybe not MichMan Apr 2017 #64