Medicare Nightmare

Companies are bombarding us via phone and mail, encouraging us to sign up for Medicare Advantage plans. Getting a Medicare Advantage plan has many perks. Some plans are $0 premium, depending on which county you live in. We've never been able to take advantage of a $0 premium plan. I let all these calls go to voice mail. We have a Medical Mutual Advantage plan and don't want to change. The mail and calls will end after December 7, since that's the end of the enrollment period. Any other questions, let me know.

There are plans like mine with United Health Care and others that require no premium and cover a lot of problems. Talk with a good insurance broker. It will cost you nothing.

Yes you can ignore them Sandra.. Are you old enough for having Medicare though? It is an easy process to sign up. They will take the premiums for it out of Social Security check. Right now they have the price of it as around $170 per month.

Medicare is provided by the government at 65. You do have to sign up for it yourself (you can refuse it, but there’s a penalty you pay for doing so should you want it in the future), and the government takes the cost of that out of your social security check. Anything and everything else is private health insurance. I have read (as I’m about three and a half years from Medicare) that the “Medicare advantage plans” are like very strict PPOs, where you have to get a referral to go get a referral. Medicare supplement plans are insurance plans that pay the 20% that Medicare doesn’t cover. As far as medications, I have no idea, because I’m blessed to have the VA take care of my prescriptions. Sharon has an excellent idea in calling Medicare to ask. As for the prescriptions, I would suggest going to a pharmacy that you always use and asking them. I would also suggest asking a “big chain” pharmacy (like Walgreen’s or the pharmacy in Publix) AND a small “mom and pop” pharmacy. There’s a big difference in the cost of medications between the “bulk buying” big stores and the small pharmacies. Best of luck in sorting it out.

This is Medicare sign-up season. No, you can't ignore it. If you are aged 65, you need Medicare unless you're working and on an insurance plan. If you don't sign up and you decide to later, you will pay a penalty fee for the rest of your life. We have a place here that will look at all the plans and help you decide which is best for you. They aren't an insurance company, just one that knows how to find the best for you. If you have such a place, call them or go talk to them. They can help. If you have a Senior center there, they can help too. They helped me when I needed to choose a plan.

I have been inundated by regular mail with signing up with medicare, which is odd as I am not eligible for another 7 years at age 62. When Mike signed up for it he took plan A I believe it is, it is the most basic form, will pick up should he have to go to the hospital. Nothing else, no medicines co pays etc.

These emails you receive are all marketing strategies. If you don't need medicare, ignore it. Save your money for your nourishment. I don't believe in insurance. It just keeps getting our money.

If it is mandatory in your country to go for it you will have no choice. My husband's has a scheme that pays me no matter what I spend on my health There is a limit but that limit is pretty huge

Yeah, Insurance agents drive me nuts this time of year, each of them wants to 'help' me find the best plan available and I'm finally figuring out that most of them are underwriters for one or another of the many advantage plans. The only advice I can give you is to call Medicare themselves and ask what they would recommend then if you aren't happy with the plan they suggest you can check all the insurance agencies in your area to see which one is most to your liking ...... it'll get confusing so be careful.

I hope that American users can suggest what to do. This is totally different here, we have no choice but to subscribe.

Calling and talking to them is the best. But like Four Walls mentioned it is cheaper to get it signed up now. Another way to do it is call some of the insurance companies and talk to them. They know the system also. My hubby has Humana supplemental. It is very cheap per month and picks up most of what medicare does not cover

I hope someone is able to help you. These things can be so stressful.

For sure, some Mylotters here gave you good answers. Update us after your sort it out.

Looks like others have given you excellent advice.