Medicare question. Have you found a plan you are happy with that doesnt cost much?

Valerie - I hope so - I nearly had a nervous

break down - and I still might have one - trying

to understand our new plan.

For twice the money - because my husbands

company benefits - are slowly dropping their

retirees.

This is all about 'Hope and Change' - we'll

see - beginning 2012.

It's not effective - until January 1, 2012.

We spent the total of 7 hours on our speaker

phone listening to their jargon.

I still don't understand the damn term - that we

fit in the donut hole.

Just what is the donut hole??????????????

Sorry Valerie - I know I didn't help you with

your question - cause - I simply don't have

the answer.

We'll just have to wait and see.

DeeJay - frustrated along with you.

You must be new to Medicare. Different providers contract with Medicare. In the Advantage program, insurers and HMOs/PPOs get paid directly from Medicare. In both cases you pay 20% and Medicare pays around 80%. The monthly premiums for everyone whose income is less than $85K per year is now $115 per month, going down to $99 per month. Only the Part D drug plans and the various Supplemental plans are different prices.

If you dont want to pay the 20% you must also purchase a private health policy known as supplemental or Medigap which costs $125+ a month from any insurance company. Yes, you still have to pay co-payments, co-insurance, and annual deductible for some Part D plans and for Part A hospital stays. All of this is in the Medicare and You 2012 book.

Part A is in patient services. This is usually free but not for everyone.

Part B is out patient services that you pay every month. It is $115 right now.

Part C is the Advantage HMO or PPO plan

Part D is the drug prescription plan

If you want some good advice call your State Health Insurance Assistance office

I did not sign up for Medicare Part B because I have VA health coverage and prescriptions. There was no way I was going to pay over $100 a month for Part B. But if you do not have any other insurance plans, say from your employer, you will have to take the Part B for your prescriptions alone.

Short answer, no. I have Medicare Complete that was provided by Secure Horizons now it's United Health Care. The plan I have costs zero per month but every doctor's office visit has a co-pay. This plan requires that I pay 20% of any surgery or major treatment up to a maximum of $,4,700 per year. That is going up to $5,700 next year. I also just got surprised because I had to pay 20% of the cost of an injection which cost me $275. Several insurance companies are providing informational meetings in our area which I plan to attend. If you have the same opportunity, I suggest that you go to one or more. It is all very confusing. Good luck.

PS: I just came back from Europe where almost every county provides FREE health care to everybody. What happened to the rich, powerful, Great US of A?

I just have part A and B..I only have one prescription for which I only have to pay 10 bucks for every 3 month, they are generic brand..so I'm not enrolled in the drug part.don't add any unless you really have too..and yes we have to pay the 20 percent but you can make payments.If you need more info contact the SS or Medicare office for more info..=)

I have Senior Advantage Plan from Kaiser because I am disabled medicare pays for me to have good medical care. I do not have any co-pays.

they have a prescription drug plan and that is the meds cost no more then 3.30 and most costs $1.10.

Look into it. and call medicare and find out what is available to you.

medical even has many good plans if you are not 65 yet.

I pay $210 per month for my supplement insurance through Physicians Mutual. My Medicare part B costs me $280 per month (I am waiting until age 70 to draw SS.) that I pay to Medicare quarterly. So it ain't cheap! But...I have never paid for anything...no deductible no copay...nothing. My husband has the same insurance but he is a good bit older and the premium for supplement is now up to $404. I know that this is a lot but he has had heart bypass, aneurysm repair, cancer, carotid artery surgery, a bad stroke, not to mention the countless emergency room visits and hospital stays for COPD and Afib etc, etc. and we have never paid anything out of pocket...I think that we are ahead of the game.

..Yes.All I pay for my prescriptions is $2.50. It is some company out of Penn. I did not know it was going to be a good one until I had to use it several times. But,at this time I don,t take many medicines, It was complicated,so I "let' the government assign me one and I guess it turned out pretty good.

Just wait until Obama cuts the reimbursement rate for doctors who accept medicare! Then we won't have to worry as no doctor will treat us. Hope and change indeed.

Medicare is free but if you want Medicaid, they will take almost $100 out of your SS check each month. Medicare only pays so much of your medical bills, as the clinics and hospitals think they have to charge $9 for a Tylenol. If you want supplemental insurance to cover the rest, you need to seek coverage from a medical insurance company. My prescriptions only cost $1 for generics and no more than $6 otherwise.