Medicare & Insurance

Can I live in Canada and see Provider on US soil and use my Medicare benefits? What if I receive my mail in the US?

Great Resource if you want to understand it and why it is the way it is -Before any suggestions on how to change it - learning how it works now may open some incite into where and how it can be changed to improve or change it. Overall, the question is would you pay more for what you may want? KFF.org - 05/28/2024. - MEDICARE 101  From the linkFuture Outlook Copy link to Future Outlook Looking to the future, Medicare faces a number of challenges from the perspective of beneficiaries, health care providers and private plans, and the federal budget. These include:How best to address the fiscal challenges arising from an aging population and increasing health care costs through spending reductions and/or revenue increases.Whether and how to improve coverage for Medicare beneficiaries, including an out-of-pocket limit in traditional Medicare, enhanced financial support for lower-income beneficiaries, and additional benefits, such as dental and vision.

: Does this impact getting established with Physicians? Does this make it difficult to get established with a Physician?Does changing your Medicare Advantage Plan have an impact on getting established with a Physician?

I have been enrolled in the AARP UHC Medicare Advantage Plan (MAP) for the last 4 years and have been reasonably satisfied with it. But this year, I am considering a Supplemental plan instead (probably Plan G). As you all probably know, MAPs come bundled with dental, hearing, and vision insurance of some sort, but with a Supplement, you pretty much have to cobble this all together on your own. The AARP UHC Supplemental Plan G + Wellness, however, comes bundled with dental insurance, some vision coverage, and a gym membership. The premiums are a bit higher than the regular Plan G, but it might be worth it. I don't know yet.Anyway, the sticky point is the dental insurance. I have an excellent dentist and I want to get dental insurance that has my dentist in-network. At one point, I thought I read that UHC dental insurance was through Delta Dental. I may be wrong about that. My dentist's web site says they accept many different insurance companies including Delta Dental and

*** 10 Comments so far on the AARP WEBSITE. Stop by to read comments and add yours. *** FROM THE ARTICLE - SEE ARTICLE FOR MORE!!! Annual deductibles for Part A and B are also set to rise in the new year. By Rachel Nania, AARP. Published November 11, 2024. The standard monthly premium for Medicare Part B — the part of Medicare that covers doctor’s visits, routine cancer screenings, home health care and other outpatient services — will be $185 for 2025, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced Nov. 8. This is an increase of $10.30 from 2024 and is similar to the nearly $10 monthly premium hike seen in 2024, from 2023. Part B beneficiaries with annual individual incomes greater than $106,000 will pay more than the standard premium, though how much more depends on their income. CMS says income-related monthly adjustments affect roughly 8 percent of people with Part B insurance. https://www.aarp.org/health/medicare-insurance/info-2024/m

  Has anyone explored Medicare Supplement Insurance that offers an annual MEDICARE premium reimbursement?   I actually have Aetna Health Insurance that has a Health Fund and Dental Fund accounts.  The insurance deposits $1000.00 in Health Fund and $300.00 in Dental Fund annually. The Health Fund has a maximum cap of $5000,00 in the fund account so Aetna doesn't have to make that $1000,00 deposit.   You have to use Health Fund for expenses before the actual insurance pays.  I don't have much in annual medical expenses so I file a claim for MEDICARE Premium reimbursement every year.  I deposit that payment in my own savings account to offset the annual insurance deductible that is still required after I exhaust the Health Fund Account.   I do this so Aetna has to make the deposit annually.  You do need to monitor these Health Fund and Dental Fund account balances but it's worth it.. 

Today, 10/23/24, I used the Wellcare website to change my PCP.  First, they needlessly assaulted me with a requirement to change my password.  That's half an hour of my life that I will never get back. For your amusement, what's wrong with this picture?:There's talk in the News about how difficult it is to cancel subscriptions. After all, all a service provider has to do is move bits at the speed of light. The above time delay is going to cause me a lot of trouble because I have an appointment with my new PCP tomorrow.  What else should I expect from a company that provides a fake phone number? I wonder how many senile senior citizens actually call that number?  There are so many ways to abuse senior citizens with declining mental faculties and health care organizations take advantage of them! 

I am curious as to how much will be taken out of the 2.5% increase with the Medicare premium jumping to $ 185.00.  With two Seniors living mostly on SS since Our retirement got wiped out in 2008, during the crash, like many others.  Can someone explain how this is calculated and works ?  Thanks.

EDIT: I'm adding in the "star" rating from the Medicare.gov website for each plan listed below.  Not sure if the ratings reflect this year or the previous year, but they are calculated based on customer service, member complaints, member experience with the plan, drug safety, accuracy of pricing. ***********************************************************************I have traditional Medicare (a supplement plus a Part D plan). I currently take 2 cheap drugs for hypertension.  For 2025, the cheapest Medicare Part D plan available in my neck of the woods (Missouri) is Wellcare Value Script (PDP). Plan ID: S4802-152-0  .  Does anyone have any experience with this plan? If so, please advise of your experience. Thank you. I've posted all the plans available to me below. Besides the one I mentioned above, do you think any of these other plans are worth considering, even though they are more expensive? I understand that as one gets older, costs are going to

Anyone know why UHC has dropped this plan in 2025?  I just got established with my doctors on this plan & I am really angry that I will most likely have to find new doctors. What UHC plan is similar to this that will be offered in 2025?thank you.  

 Both me and my wife are taking Victoza injection for type 2 diabetes treatment. Victoza was covered by Part D plans in my area (zip code 27526) since 2020 when we first enrolled in Medicare. Now when we are shopping for Part D plans for 2025, none of the 19 Prescription Drug plans cover Victoza? This is due to Biden's bill which limits the maximum drug cost to $2,000 in 2025. In order to keep the cost down all the insurance companies will stop covering name brand drugs for diabetes treatment. Premiums will go up more than inflation for Part D as well to cover the $2,000 cap.AARP should have advocated to make sure that insurance companies cover all the drugs they were covering during 2024 for 2025 and onwards. Want to know anyone else in similar situation as we are and what they are doing about drugs not covered during 2025 Part D plans.

  I am thinking of changing current UHC Medigap Plan G to another Insurer company for Plan D or G.  Wondering what is involved - is it only questions about health.  Thank you.

Do all companies provide Renew Active with Plan G Medigap Insurance?

 TO: AARP Bulletin Editor Member Services For a number of years, correct as years, I have contacted AARP Senior Management regarding the extreme high cost of Long Term Care Insurance. Request was their direct evolvement in providing lobbying to secure financial assistance to those that are self-funding the Long Term Care Insurance. The TransAmeruca LTC policy in CT monthly premium cost is:  $905.67 The requested financial assistance would be State and Federal US Income tax and/or credits based upon the LTC premium cost. The policy owners have adopted the personal responsibility to fund a portion of their LTC health care rather than having Government taxes fully support with Medicare or Medicaid. To date, I never received any type of reply from the AARP Senior Executives or anyone else in the AARP organization. Your assistance is requested to raising the visibility of the extreme cost ( monthly premium of $905.67 ) of Long Tern Care Insurance and securing G

All: I was just reading the Oct 2024 AARP Bulletin Article pgs 24-25: What you'll pay out of pocket on Medicare by Brandy Bauer. In 2 of the 4 scenarios, with Original Medicare your out of pocket expenses are less than if you have Original Medicare plus part D plus Medicare Supplement. This does not make sense that you would pay less out of pocket if you have the 2 extra coverages. Please explain.

Lots of changes are happening in Medicare Advantage plans and Prescription Drug Plans for 2025.  Notices of change are beginning to go out before open enrollment begins the middle of October. Don’t just look at the premiums - look at the details of the plan and just make sure you have one that meets your needs be that meds on a formulary, its price or pre-qualifications of getting it or a network provider - doctors and hospitals - or even your MA deductible limit and of course, premiums.. Remember IF your specific Medicare Advantage insurer or plan disappears from your geographical area for some reason, this might open up a guaranteed period for you. It is just real important that you review everything for this 2025 policy period because of all the legislative and CMS rule changes that have gone into place for the up and coming year.  As with all insurance products - expand the benefits and everybody share in the cost of coverage. In addition, Part B premi

Hi, I am going to be turning 64 this October. I have been receiving medical insurance through my STBX's former employer, but that situation has gotten tenuous since we are close to getting divorced. I am too young for medicare, but will need insurance. Does AARP have any health care plans that will cover me? After all, not everyone waits to retire at 65/66. Thank you.

I'm 62 and currently on COBRA while I look for a new job. My wife is 69 (retired) and was covered under my ex-employers plan, she currently has Medicare Part A only. I know the COBRA coverage covers my wife as well but I'm not clear if she's REQUIRED to sign up for part B immediately or we can wait until I get a job (or I retire) I greatly appreciate any info/pointers  that clears this up for me! Darrell

 I was watching a video that discussed the pros and cons of both Medicare supplements and Advantage Plans (MAPs). On the topic of networks, this person said, as an example, that the Mayo Clinic is not in-network for many MAPs. I looked on the Mayo Clinic web site and found a Commercial Insurance Plan Contracts document for the Mayo Clinic campus in Rochester, Minnesota. That document says, "Mayo Clinic providers and hospitals are contracted with the organizations listed below". Included in that list is something that says, "UnitedHealthcare - Medicare Advantage (select plans)".  Question: Is the AARP UHC PPO MAP one of the "select plans" that are contracted with the Mayo Clinic?

 I started Medicare this year. Our modified gross adjusted income in 2022 was 6 thousand over into the next IRMAA category so we have to pay extra. I received the letter about this on September 15 and it says I have 60 d to appeal. Well, this year my wife and I are making a bit more than 2022 so no reason to appeal now. BUT next year we both retire and will have a substantially lower MGAI and certainly low enough to eliminate the IRMAA charge.So--no reason to appeal now but the letter says if I don't appeal within 60 days, we better have a good reason to appeal later. Does this just mean appealing this year? I plan to appeal next year when we are both retired.They reassess every year depending on our taxes 2 years past, right? So eventually, we will naturally lose the IRMAA charge...but I would rather not wait 2 years. Do I have this right?? Thanks!

When it comes to Medicare, one of the most misunderstood topics is the Part D late enrollment penalty. This penalty can be a costly surprise for those who didn’t sign up for Medicare Part D (prescription drug coverage) when they first became eligible. Fortunately, with the right information and planning, you can avoid this penalty altogether. In this detailed guide, we'll walk through everything you need to know about the Medicare Part D penalty, how it works, and the steps you can take to avoid it.What Is Medicare Part D?Medicare Part D is prescription drug coverage offered to people with Medicare. It helps pay for prescription medications, which are not covered under Original Medicare (Part A and Part B). Part D plans are sold by private insurance companies approved by Medicare, and they can be standalone plans (if you have Original Medicare) or included in a Medicare Advantage plan (Part C).Having prescription drug coverage is important for many Medicare beneficiaries, particularly

As the Annual Enrollment Period (AEP) approaches, it's time to carefully consider your Medicare options. One common question that beneficiaries face is whether to stick with Original Medicare, enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan, or consider a Medicare Supplement (also known as Medigap) plan. With so many choices, it’s essential to understand the differences, especially when it comes to out-of-pocket costs, coverage flexibility, and long-term financial planning. Let's take a deep dive into what makes Medicare Advantage different from Medicare Supplements, and explore which option might be right for you.What Is Medicare Advantage?Medicare Advantage (Part C) is an alternative to Original Medicare (Parts A and B), offered through private insurance companies approved by Medicare. These plans bundle hospital insurance (Part A), medical insurance (Part B), and often include prescription drug coverage (Part D), along with additional benefits like vision, dental, and hearing.The appeal of Medi

As we approach the next enrollment period for Medicare, it’s crucial to be aware of the upcoming changes in both Medicare and prescription drug plans. These updates can significantly impact beneficiaries, so staying informed will help you make the best decisions for your healthcare coverage. Below, we’ll cover what’s changing, how it might affect you, and what to keep an eye on for the future.Changes to Medicare in 2024Part B Premium and Deductible AdjustmentsOne of the first things people often ask about is whether Medicare Part B premiums and deductibles are increasing. In 2024, the Medicare Part B standard premium will rise slightly, as is typically the case year over year. The exact increase will depend on final announcements from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). Historically, these increases are aligned with rising healthcare costs and inflation. Deductibles for Part B will also see a minor uptick, which will apply to outpatient services such as doctor visits,

I have been on AARP UHC Advantage since May 2022, when I first became eligibile. I would like to switch to AARP UHC Medigap plan G during Open Enrollment. Is that allowed? How do I go about it?

Hello All,I am Krishna and 81 years old. I did not enroll in Medicare at age 65 as I was working and covered by the employer's insurance plans. I worked with three companies in these 16 years and one company does not exist in USA now. I am working with the current employer for the past 8 years. All through this period, my wife and I were covered by employer's insurance plans. I am planning to retire next year and opt for Medicare. Do I have to pay a penalty for late joining? I remember reading a clause that says if I have creditable insurance coverage for two years before joining Medicare, the penalty does not apply. I do not remember receiving any forms of separation from previous two companies. Will someone clarify what will be my position? Thank youKrishna Kandala