Boy, eventhough we don't live in the states, i found this very interesting! but, i will say and i hate to admit this, but we Canadians do have it lucky, especially if you are a senior! when i picked up one of Al's prescriptions on monday, i was listening to the lady explaining to a man, about how the medical plans work for seniors, it seems that there is a co-pay to the government of 100.00 per quarter after that MOSTLY all prescriptions are free or a 2.00 charge depending on the pharmacy. our health care - staying in the hospital is free this would be a ward type of room - 4 to a room, however at this new fancy hospital we have there are only a few of these rooms, and then you would be put in a semi-private room at no extra charge - or if you requested this and wanted to pay out of pocket i think it is 54.00 per day. Al has been lucky he usually ends up in a private room (we have semi-private coverage, free through his being employed at the College), and a private room is 118.00 per day. Eye exams are free for seniors, diabetics and people with illnesses that it might cause blindness or you pay if you do not have private insurance i think it is 42.00 per exams. if you are not a senior and make over 30 thousand a year you pay for health care and it is a percent, i remember on the income tax forms it would be about 200.00 per year for a family. we are very lucky here and the government does look after seniors and those on assistance (or welfare, as it was called before), i'm actually looking forward to paying the 100.00 and then nothing! - Al's meds would be paid for after just 1 of his prescriptions! PB - i don't think you're old at all--you don't write like an older person! debbie

I don't think it will affect me at all, I am fully insured already and I don't have prescription insurance at all, haven't needed it.

I have only encountered one MD who opted out of Medicare. This was the orthopod who did my left hip replacement before I was 65. I was foolish to go back to him for the right hip after he opted out. There are tons of other highly qualified orthopods. I paid $7K with zero reimbursement. Dumb Sue. Some MD's with 'niches' can get away with opting out. Ten years ago I found that some GP's were going the 'retainer' route. They charged a patient a set annual fee ($8-10K) and spent no time 'messing' with Medicare or any other insurance plan. I don't know if that worked. I haven't heard anything about it recently.

alisande -- If I were you, I'd go with the cheapest premium. Yes, you *could* pay that $320 deductible -- IF you are prescribed enough meds to reach that limit. (Even if you did, it's still less than your current Part D will be in 2015.) That Humana/Wal-Mart plan is offered here, too. DH and I will each breeze right through that deductible with our outrageously priced meds, regardless, so it may make sense for us too. Our 2014 WellCare Part D is going up from $20/mo. to $30/mo. I don't see keeping that if we can do better. Have you 'run the numbers' on Part D plans on www.medicare.gov Re:Deductibles. In 2012 and 2013 we had a Medicare Supplemental Plan F that paid for everything and the kitchen sink. For 2014 we took a Plan F- High Deductible ($2200/pp deductible) and are money ahead. We could afford to pay that $2200 each if necessary, but I have only had about $300 in out of pocket and DH less. We were still protected in the event of HUGE medical bills. Re: Filling prescriptions. We are fine with 90-day supplies from mail order on our maintenance meds. This year my cost for Advair was a third lower via mail order. (It's still a big rip-off, but that's because the US doesn't negotiate pricing with the pharmaceutical companies.)