The Stumble Inn The place for social chat for our M.S. community. The Stumble Inn


advertisement
Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 04-05-2011, 12:01 PM #1
Kitty's Avatar
Kitty Kitty is offline
Wisest Elder Ever
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Deep South
Posts: 21,576
15 yr Member
Kitty Kitty is offline
Wisest Elder Ever
Kitty's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Deep South
Posts: 21,576
15 yr Member
Default Supplemental Medicare Insurance

Okay...so I've been on medicare now for about 7 months. I think I probably need a supplemental policy to cover the expenses that Medicare doesn't cover. I think it's 20% of whatever is left over.

I looked online and found one that didn't cost anything (no monthly premium)! It was Humana Gold and it had a link where you could sign up online. I tried but after I had entered all my info it told me I wasn't eligible to join.

Has anyone here gotten supplemental insurance in addition to their Medicare coverage? I have no other insurance except Medicare and need something to cover what Medicare doesn't.
__________________
These forums are for mutual support and information sharing only. The forums are not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment provided by a qualified health care provider. Always consult your doctor before trying anything you read here.
Kitty is offline   Reply With QuoteReply With Quote
"Thanks for this!" says:
Dejibo (04-05-2011), Lady (04-05-2011), tkrik (04-05-2011)

advertisement
Old 04-05-2011, 12:16 PM #2
lefthanded's Avatar
lefthanded lefthanded is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Seattle area
Posts: 695
15 yr Member
lefthanded lefthanded is offline
Member
lefthanded's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Seattle area
Posts: 695
15 yr Member
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Kitty View Post
Okay...so I've been on medicare now for about 7 months. I think I probably need a supplemental policy to cover the expenses that Medicare doesn't cover. I think it's 20% of whatever is left over.

I looked online and found one that didn't cost anything (no monthly premium)! It was Humana Gold and it had a link where you could sign up online. I tried but after I had entered all my info it told me I wasn't eligible to join.

Has anyone here gotten supplemental insurance in addition to their Medicare coverage? I have no other insurance except Medicare and need something to cover what Medicare doesn't.
I have a Plan F . . . it is not particularly cheap but picks up all co-pays and deductibles. During years I have surgery or major medical testing it is a godsend. I could not handle the 20% on all my specialist's visits. Between my "medigap" plan and my Part D (Rx) plan, I probably pay an additional $250 a month over my Medicare premium. I have too many systems that could blow up not to have good coverage . . . at least for as long as I can afford it!
__________________
We live in a rainbow of chaos. ~Paul Cezanne
.
lefthanded is offline   Reply With QuoteReply With Quote
"Thanks for this!" says:
Kitty (04-05-2011), Lady (04-05-2011), tkrik (04-05-2011)
Old 04-05-2011, 12:25 PM #3
Kitty's Avatar
Kitty Kitty is offline
Wisest Elder Ever
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Deep South
Posts: 21,576
15 yr Member
Kitty Kitty is offline
Wisest Elder Ever
Kitty's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Deep South
Posts: 21,576
15 yr Member
Default

Wow....$250 a month in addition to what Medicare costs? There's no way I could afford that. I don't go to the doctor that much. Just my every-6-month visit to the Neuro and my twice a year to my PCP for my blood to be checked for my thyroid meds. But, I know that could change. Especially as I get older.
__________________
These forums are for mutual support and information sharing only. The forums are not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment provided by a qualified health care provider. Always consult your doctor before trying anything you read here.
Kitty is offline   Reply With QuoteReply With Quote
"Thanks for this!" says:
Lady (04-05-2011), tkrik (04-05-2011)
Old 04-05-2011, 12:38 PM #4
tkrik's Avatar
tkrik tkrik is offline
Wise Elder
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Posts: 8,403
15 yr Member
tkrik tkrik is offline
Wise Elder
tkrik's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Posts: 8,403
15 yr Member
Default

Kelly - I chose one of the Advantage plans. But, I am also on Medicaid which picks up what my Medicare plan doesn't. I don't have to pay any premiums other than the Medicare premium.

I did find several of the plans required one to be retirement age. I am not. Also, some of them said for disabled but when I checked it was only for certain disabilities. That may be why you were ineligible.
tkrik is offline   Reply With QuoteReply With Quote
"Thanks for this!" says:
Kitty (04-05-2011), Lady (04-05-2011)
Old 04-05-2011, 02:01 PM #5
Kitty's Avatar
Kitty Kitty is offline
Wisest Elder Ever
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Deep South
Posts: 21,576
15 yr Member
Kitty Kitty is offline
Wisest Elder Ever
Kitty's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Deep South
Posts: 21,576
15 yr Member
Default

I think it was the timing of my application. I think there is a window of time that you have to obtain a supplemental policy during the year. I think I may have missed it this year.
__________________
These forums are for mutual support and information sharing only. The forums are not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment provided by a qualified health care provider. Always consult your doctor before trying anything you read here.
Kitty is offline   Reply With QuoteReply With Quote
"Thanks for this!" says:
Dejibo (04-05-2011), Lady (04-05-2011)
Old 04-05-2011, 04:08 PM #6
Dejibo's Avatar
Dejibo Dejibo is offline
Elder
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: New Hampshire
Posts: 7,332
15 yr Member
Dejibo Dejibo is offline
Elder
Dejibo's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: New Hampshire
Posts: 7,332
15 yr Member
Default

yes, my mother learned there is a trick to getting your app in. Try during the first week of the month. Re apply as often as you need.

Many places offer decent fees, and many places offer huge fees. Keep plugging away.
__________________
RRMS 3/26/07
.

Betaseron 5/18/07
.

Elevated LFTs Beta DC 7/07
Copaxone 8/7/07
.



.
Dejibo is offline   Reply With QuoteReply With Quote
"Thanks for this!" says:
Kitty (04-05-2011), Lady (04-05-2011)
Old 04-05-2011, 04:13 PM #7
doydie's Avatar
doydie doydie is offline
Elder
 
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: southern Indiana
Posts: 5,533
15 yr Member
doydie doydie is offline
Elder
doydie's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: southern Indiana
Posts: 5,533
15 yr Member
Default

I have Anthem Medicare Advsantage, premium is $14/month. It works for me because most of my charges are medicine alone. I have an MRI this week so I'll see how much it covers on it. I was very quickly in and out of the gap. My Mom had the same plan and it was terrible for her because a lot of her charges were doctor visits and lab work. She was never in the gap. So this year she chose Mecicare N. It worked because it picked up all those xray, doctor, etc. it also picked up nursing home days after Medicare 21 days. But the premiu was $119/month. It's just what you particular needs are. What workds for one may not work for another.
doydie is offline   Reply With QuoteReply With Quote
"Thanks for this!" says:
Kitty (04-05-2011), Lady (04-05-2011), SallyC (04-05-2011)
Old 04-05-2011, 09:00 PM #8
Lady's Avatar
Lady Lady is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: East Coast USA
Posts: 1,174
15 yr Member
Lady Lady is offline
Senior Member
Lady's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: East Coast USA
Posts: 1,174
15 yr Member
Default

Kitty you have to be 65 or older to get a supplemental plan. I tried when I lost my Union ins. I had Medicare as second back then. I got a Medicare Advantage plan. It is only good in in the state I live in. Other states are paid but out of network.

If the plan has no premium, it usually has high co-pays to see a Dr. My PCP is $15.00, but all my specialists are $35.00 a visit. I have about 10 specialists. Eeek!

When I turn 65 I will get a supplementary plan to add to my Medicare disability plan.

What always bothered me was you have to wait 2 years to get Medicare Ins. when you become disabled and are under 65. What do they think? That you don't need medicine and doctors just because you are disabled?
__________________
LADY

May happiness be at your door. May it knock early, stay late, and leave the gift of good health behind.


"Life is what it is". We can only focus on controlling those things we can control, we must let go of the things we can't.

Last edited by Lady; 04-05-2011 at 10:41 PM. Reason: more info
Lady is offline   Reply With QuoteReply With Quote
"Thanks for this!" says:
Kitty (04-05-2011)
Old 04-05-2011, 09:19 PM #9
aussiemom's Avatar
aussiemom aussiemom is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Florida
Posts: 556
15 yr Member
aussiemom aussiemom is offline
Member
aussiemom's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Florida
Posts: 556
15 yr Member
Default

Yes, you missed it. You should have applied when you did the Medicare. Open enrollment starts in the fall. DH has Humana Gold, and is quite pleased with it. No co pay for PCP, specalist is $25, MRI is $50. He hasn't needed hospital so I don't know how that works.

When I am old enough for Medicare in 3 years, I will get the same plan, with a rider to cover my diabetes.

His doc requires that if he travels out of this area to let the office know, and to leave a phone # of where he will be.
__________________
Barb
aussiemom is offline   Reply With QuoteReply With Quote
"Thanks for this!" says:
Kitty (04-05-2011), Lady (04-05-2011), SallyC (04-05-2011)
Old 04-05-2011, 11:00 PM #10
Kitty's Avatar
Kitty Kitty is offline
Wisest Elder Ever
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Deep South
Posts: 21,576
15 yr Member
Kitty Kitty is offline
Wisest Elder Ever
Kitty's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Deep South
Posts: 21,576
15 yr Member
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Lady View Post
Kitty you have to be 65 or older to get a supplemental plan.
Even if you're Medicare eligible because of a disability? I had no idea you had to be 65 in order to qualify. I've got 15 years to wait, then!
__________________
These forums are for mutual support and information sharing only. The forums are not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment provided by a qualified health care provider. Always consult your doctor before trying anything you read here.
Kitty is offline   Reply With QuoteReply With Quote
Reply


Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
herbal/supplemental medicine dosage sites bruegger84 Vitamins, Nutrients, Herbs and Supplements 2 09-23-2008 01:47 PM
Rules That Restrict Insurance Agents' Marketing of Medicare Advantage, RX Drug Plans Stitcher Parkinson's Disease 0 09-16-2008 04:59 PM
Health, Dental, Medicare, Insurance, Help.... Nikko Bipolar Disorder 11 07-12-2007 10:47 AM


All times are GMT -5. The time now is 01:15 PM.

Powered by vBulletin • Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.

vBulletin Optimisation provided by vB Optimise v2.7.1 (Lite) - vBulletin Mods & Addons Copyright © 2024 DragonByte Technologies Ltd.
 

NeuroTalk Forums

Helping support those with neurological and related conditions.

 

The material on this site is for informational purposes only,
and is not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment
provided by a qualified health care provider.


Always consult your doctor before trying anything you read here.