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John H[_2_]

On Tue, 17 Sep 2013 16:30:18 -0400, wrote:

On Tue, 17 Sep 2013 13:44:57 -0500, Boating All Out
wrote:

I have an AARP MedicareComplete Plus (HMO-POS) supplemental.
Cost? Zero.
Medicare pays United Health Care the part B money taken
from my SS check.
No idea how that works as a business plan for them.
Don't think it's widely used.
But that plan also adds the Medicare part D drug benefit.
Which is how I found out about this "no cost" supplemental.
Third degreeing the guy on the phone about drug plans.
I was shocked when he told me about this.
You want to check into all of that.
Most people don't know that even exists.

Downsides? $3800 max out of pocket per year.
Pay first 20% of out-patient services.
A colonoscopy next year could cost me a grand.
If so, I'll pay up.
Hospitalization is $250 a day for the first 7 days.
Zero after that. $5 doc co-pay. $40 for a specialist.
The only drug I use has a $6 co-pay. Tier 2 drug. Tier 3 goes to $60
co-pay. Some people would reject that.
They'll reject paying $40 to see a specialist.
Reject paying 20% of out-patient services.
They'll reject the $3800 out-of-pocket max.
They'll reject the provider list.
In my case I kept the the same local hospital group, but had to change
doctors. Some will reject that.

You have to look at your own medical needs and calculate what works
best.
Pretty sure the "no fees" "gold" supplemental would have cost me $170-
180 a month. Or $4080-4320 over the past 2 years. Maybe more.
I've only paid about 50 bucks in doc and medicine co-pays.
Of course that could change if I start getting sick and hospitalized.
Still won't cost more than than $3800 yearly max out-of-pocket.
Kind of like a "free" "catastrophic" policy, but also covers the common
stuff like exams, tests, and common medicines at no cost except small
co-pays.
When I get decrepit and that max out-of-pocket is getting hit too much,
I'll look into changing it.
Or just slowly fade away.

My plan is also a UHC HMO, I pay something every month and IBM pays
the rest. It is probably what you call "gold". I still have a
deductible and a $5 copay for the doc (including specialists.)

The "free" choice (silver) was Aetna that none of my doctors takes and
a $20/30 co pay.
The rusty iron choice was straight medicare with IBM kicking in $900
to cover part B.

Here's another reason the draft should be reinstated: Us old retired folks use Medicare with Tricare
for Life picking up the 20%.

So, get the draft going again, get your kids in the military, and then they'll not have to fear
(about medical care!). There's still a few other things to worry about.
--

John H.

Hope you're having a great day!