Got my Medicare card in the mail today.

[MineralMan]

It doesn't take effect until 7.01.10, but I have it. It's a sign, both of my advancing age and of the fact that government-run health care does work. I didn't have to apply for it. It just came.

On April 1, I have to send another check to Blue Cross for $2100 to pay for the last three months of my health insurance, which I've maintained for 30 years. I've never even met the deductible in all those years.

Now, Blue cross is telling they'll sell me a straight Medicare Supplement that covers 100% the 20% I'd have to pay of all medicare-covered procedures, etc. They want $120/mo. for that. They have other plans that cost less that cover less, too. They're eager to sell me this supplement, as are a number of other companies who send me offers and call me on the phone.

The Medicare costs me about $100/mo. So, if I add the supplement for another $120, I'll not have to pay a cent for most care. No copays. No 20%. No nothing. Something's wrong here. How come I'll be paying just $220/mo. for complete coverage as I get old and, while I'm paying $700/mo. now, when I'm still healthy? Something's dreadfully wrong with this. Government-run health care does seem to be a better deal, doesn't it?

And I'm old, and likely to develop the health problems that come with age. So, why, I ask, am I paying $700/mo. for insurance I've never used?

We need Medicare for all. That is the bottom line. I hope I see that happen before I die. Until then, anything that will help will be good. I'm shortly going to be out of the health insurance mess. I wish everyone was, and I'll work to see that happen.

[Gman2]

1. How much ya want forit?

[Uben]

3. I'll double any offer!

He he, I'm jealous!

[Selatius]

2. The system you're entering for 65+ is basically how France runs its system...for all.

Government health insurance covers every age in that country. It covers roughly 80% of all medical costs for you, and the government keeps down inflation by negotiating with care providers and pharmaceuticals over prices. People are free to purchase supplemental insurance to cover the remaining 20% over there. Not a 100% single-payer system, but 80% of costs covered isn't bad. The only difference is France didn't implement parasitic Medicare Part D and Medicare Advantage. Those two are rapidly bleeding out Medicare, and it's unsustainable. I suspect those two were implemented in order to destroy Medicare in the end.

[MineralMan]

4. Je suis tres heureaux..

[Selatius]

6. Et j'ai seulement vingt-huit ans, donc je suis triste ou mis en colère, il dépend hah nt

[DURHAM D]

5. I know this isn't the point of your post but -

how did your card come automatically? You have to apply.

[doc03]

7. I got news for ya, you say the supplement pays the 20% you

would have to pay of all Medicare-covered procedures. There is a loop-hole you could drive a truck threw there. The key words there are (Medicare-covered procedures) medical providers typically charge double what the (Medicare-covered procedure) pays. Example they bill Medicare $2000 for a procedure that Medicare pays $1000 for. So therefore you owe $1000 and your 20% of the amount Medicare covers which is $200 hence your responsibility is $1200 of that $2000 bill. I know my father lost our family home that way when he came down with cancer. Maybe in your case it is different, my advice check and make sure..

[DFLforever]

13. That's not how mine works

Let's say the bill is 5000k and Medicare paid $365. (an actual figure on an MRI I had recently.) Insurance company paid $135 which I would have paid myself if I hadn't had supplemental insurance.

[doc03]

15. Who paid the other $4000 some dollars?

[DFLforever]

17. No one

That's why providers complain about Medicare payment..especially in my part of the country (MN) where Medicare payments are low.

[ChicagoSuz219]

22. That's what the 'waste & fraud' part of HCR is about. n/t

[SharonAnn]

29. No, providers have to accept what Medicare pays. The 20% is of the Medicare approved amount.

So, in this case, if Medicare says $1,200 is the approved Medicare amount, then Medicare pays $1,000 (80% of the approved amount) and you or your supplement pay $200.

That's how it works.

[sabrina 1]

8. Happy for you, you earned it. And thank you for continuing

the fight for everyone else ...

[JimWis]

9. Got my card too. Just came automatically.

[DURHAM D]

11. Did your employer file for you?

Maybe it happened because you are a vet and in the system. I just turned 65 as did several of my female friends. We all had to apply. They hound you and hound you with mail until you find the time to apply. If you are not drawing SS yet they try really hard to get you to take it early so the monthly charge of $110 and up can be deducted from your monthly SS check. Otherwise, you have to pay in advance for a full quarter.

[JimWis]

20. I am already drawing social security, so that is the most likely

answer. I am already in their system. Took in all the paperwork when I went on social security at age 62. And since I get the social security check direct deposited, it is easy for them to start deducting the $110. I am in the VA system too, but that is a separate deal.

[WillYourVoteBCounted]

10. and I hope the day comes where a supplimental isn't needed

but I can tell you that my Mother, may she rest in peace, had medicare for over 20
years and the supplimental was really essential.

But in other countries there is no need for supplimental and everyone is covered, by taxes
not by ins policies.

[glinda]

12. Congratulations. I have 10 yrs before I am let out of my $545/mo. We may drop

my BCBS since we can no longer afford it.

[Cleita]

14. Do not do a Medicare Advantage. You will have to do a Medigap for complete

coverage if you get traditional Medicare, however, most doctors and other providers are happy with it. Most of them are the same because they have rules they have to comply with, so pick the cheapest one for what coverage you want. I have found this the best way to go that gives us the best and most secure and comprehensive medical coverage. I will tell you my Medicare Advantage horror story when my husband got talked into doing Secure Horizons if you like.

[REP]

18. I'm Medicare + Kaiser (SSDisability) - no complaints

I'm having an MRI Thursday; I will be billed $0.00 for it; the same I pay for CTs and the ultrasound I will have tomorrow. My Rx cost went up this year, but it did for all Kaiser plans (my husband is regular group Kaiser under another group plan).

Some Senior Advantages may suck, but my Kaiser coverage did not change when I went from group to SA when I retired due to disability.

[madokie]

16. Worked construction

sometimes self employed sometimes not but I never worked for a company that offered health care. Didn't really realize I needed any until my mid 50s. Finally went to the VA because of what turned out to be a DVT and have kicked myself in the ass every since for not having checked into the VA system years ago. I hadn't needed much in all those years but there were a couple times where it sure would have been handy to have had. I blame that on a scare system that was in place for most of that time scaring me and many other Vets away from the healthcare we signed up for when we joined or was drafted. I think the VA is the tops and I wish everyone had an option of having healthcare that is based on it.

[madrchsod]

19. that`s why i`m against the "reform" bill......medicare for all

and i have about 20 months to go before medicare...

[ChicagoSuz219]

21. You'll love it!

If you want to purchase extra coverage, check with other companies first & compare deals. AARP has one, so do others. You can call Medicare & ask for a list of suggestions. Chances are they're cheaper than Blue Cross.

[ChicagoSuz219]

23. Private insurance companies administrative* fees are 40-60%...

...Medicare's are about 3%. That's why it's so much cheaper. Most of the money goes to actual healthcare, not...

*advertising, lobbying, campaign donations, etc.

[eridani]

24. Tell me about it. My DH is old enough for Medicare and I'm not

See, feel, TASTE the difference!

[MineralMan]

25. Thanks for all the posts. I had to leave shortly after making the OP.

[raccoon]

26. Lucky you. I'm still a few years away. I agree, Medicare for all.

And good on you not being one of those assholes who has Medicare but doesn't want other people to have it.

[Toots]

27. fewer and fewer doctors are accepting Medicare patients

It is all about money, they don't remember why they wanted to be doctors I guess. Those BMWs cost a small fortune.

[Zebedeo]

28. There's no free lunch

or free medical care. You will be paying well below the actual cost of the medical care that you receive --- because younger taxpayers will be paying for your care, through their payroll taxes.

In all likelihood, you paid into Medicare for years, in order to provide medical care for those older than you. In the same manner, younger taxpayers will be heavily subsidizing your care.

The Medicare system relies on younger generations paying in to the system for decades without receiving any benefits during the time they are paying in. If Medicare were expanded to cover those younger generations, there would not be enough money coming in to pay the benefits.