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Question about Medicare

16 years ago

I'm very confused on choosing a Part B provider. I've been looking at a plan with one company and my daughter who is a nurse says she has no faith in the doctors that accept Medicare under this plan. According to my understanding there are only 5 doctors for our county. If I went with another insurance company would the doctors be different?

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Comments (7)

doteroo
Original Author
16 years ago
I found my own answer. I'd delete the post but can't figure out how. Sorry!
User
16 years ago
But it is a question that many in areas with few doctors do wonder about. Although only hubby is on Medicare because of problems with current insurance company I will be moving to a different carrier. But the carrier must cover the doctors hubby already sees. So far none cover all of them so I too much do investigation of similar problem
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Yes there are issues with any medical system including Canada's. My Dad's cardiologist, nephrologist and oncologist all have practices just north of Philadelphia. I've spent many hours taking my Dad to his specialists during the last 2 years he lived with us and I met quite a few Canadians who had come here for treatment. There were many reasons- the wait time for a pacemaker was too long, the treatment wasn't available, the patient was deemed too old to qualify for the surgery (not too unhealthy for the surgery, but beyond the age perimeters). One of the reasons Natasha Richardson died of her head injuries is that Quebec didn't have a Medivac helicopter which is something we see fairly regularly here. Yes she didn't wear a helmet and refused initial treatment - but after collapsing and a medical emergency was apparent the only option was a 2 1/2 hour ride to the trauma center. While the US is critiqued (often fairly) for too many tests like MRI's and Cat Scans as of a year ago Pittsburgh, PA had more units than all of Canada. My neighbor brough his mother over from the Netherlands because she needed heart valve surgery and she couldn't get it at home due to her age. Every aspect of medicine care is over due for reform. Please don't think I'm trying to be unduly harsh on the Canadian system, I'm just pointing out that one isn't necessarily better at across the board medical care. There's a lot we could learn from the government run systems and it's going to be a hair pulling experience watching our Congress try to find the remedy (and pay for it).
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About Medicare Part D prescription drug plans....
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Comments (11)
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.)
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I'm back with another Medicare question.
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Comments (12)
Did you look at the AARP plan? My mom and aunt had that one--up till last year, it was a lot less than what you're saying you're paying (I don't know about now), and mom and aunt rarely had to pay anything for their medical needs (I know once mom went to the eye dr. and ended up owing .50!--and the dr. asked for it, do you believe!). When Aunt had an ER visit/hospital stay/rehab stay because of a burst appendix--she paid only $100 for the ambulance ride between the hospital and rehab facility. Medicare and her AARP insurance picked up EVERYTHING else. You do need to speak with someone in your area, who understands insurance, and who is NOT trying to sell you anything. How about contacting your local senior advocacy center--they generally have knowlegeable people who can help you, or can direct you in the right direction to find someone. Good luck.
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Comments (6)
cooper and sushipup, Thank you so much for the quick response. Yes, suhipup, I read your posting and others you posted in the past. They are very informative. I also read postings from other folks on this forum regarding the subjects. It made me realize that it would be better for me to find a comprehensive, updated source of information in one place instead of reading piecemeal. I will be back later to ask for inputs after checking out the sources you provided. Cannot focus on this subject since I have to shop for a new car now after the current one just got totalled. Life surely has its twist.
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doteroo
Original Author
16 years ago
This is what I found out but it may or may not help you. I was looking at two plans with Humana. It was the more expensive plan and the 5 doctors have agree to accept medicare patients. With the other plan which is a few dollars cheaper you can choose your own doctor but only if they are willing to accept the plan. This is the most confusing mess I've ever seen!!!!
vala55
16 years ago
What ever you look at compare it's price with BCBS supplemental. I have medicare and BCBS and pay nothing but the premiums. Between both insurances I don't even pay the deductibles. No papers to fill out, you can use any doctor or hospital you want.
itsmesuzq
16 years ago
I have to make my choice in a couple of months (birthday is Dec) and I'm in a quandary as to stay with my HealthNet or change to something else. I like the idea that vala55 suggests, but where can I find out about the costs of the BCBS premiums? Do you think that AARP would have the info?

Yikes I thought this was going to be easy! lol

Thank you for any advise offered.

Susan
vala55
16 years ago
Just Google BCBS and see what you come up with. I don't know if it is offered everywhere. There was something about it moving out of Kansas a few years back, but still takes care of us because of the aircraft plant and it's many retires who have it.
doteroo
Original Author
16 years ago
You might want to google Senior Educators. It's an insurance service. I went to their web site and left my number and a few minutes later a very nice gentleman called me. He called me several times and helped me pick out a plan and no it wasn't the most expensive either. They can tell you about any plan that's available in your area and they will follow up later at the proper time and see if you want to change your plan.

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