Medicare & Insurance

  I may have to have a large portion of the top of my ear removed due to skin cancer. Will Medicare cover reconstruction surgery afterward? I know I'm going to have major issues with missing half my ear. 

I'm posting this for my 87 year old Mother, who's a AARP member :).  She had been using a G6 CGM for a few years and switched Endocrinologists.  Her new doctor recommended a G7 Dexcom sensor and my Mom has only been having problems inserting the sensor.  It's recommended for the back of her arm, but she cannot hold the device and press the button to get it to activate.  She has my Alzheimer's father try to help, but he doesn't really understand, doesn't want to hurt her and also cannot press the button.  She was told she could try her belly, which she had been doing with the G6, but even that didn't work.  I'm curious to know if others (more elderly) have similar challenges and what may or may not have worked.  We were told that the G6 will eventually be discontinued so they won't want to put her back on that. I've asked if there's another supplier, like Libre, that she could try.  My Mom's ready to give it up alltogether and go back to nothing,

 I currently have the AARP UHC Plan G Medigap Policy. I have been hit with some hefty increases over the first year and a half of having the policy over 17%. If it wasn't for a previous condition I would most likely switch companies or plan. My wife is now coming up to Medicare and we have to get her a policy. I know a lot more now and was researching plans and history of rate increases. Most states have a website with a database to research rate price increases over time. When I went to our website in Florida to research I found that UHC does not show any rate increase history since 2017. All you see is asterisks. The reason that is noted is they do not show this information because of trade secrets. Amazing that they are hiding this information from consumers trying to research who to pick when the state has to approve it and is public knowledge. Example Mutual of Omaha shows their rate increase history.  remember once you sign up you can't get out of a plan unles

Hi. I have Kaiser Senior Medicare Advantage and am enrolled in the Silver & Fit free gym membership program offered under that plan. I am having issues getting Silver & Fit to add the gym nearest me to their list of locations for me even though that gym tells me they participate in the program. I find this very odd. If others here are enrolled in Silver & Fit, can you share notes on your experience with the program, in particular if you’ve had similar issues accessing a gym facility near you?Thanks so much for anything you can share. 

$450 for a prescription that other providers sell for $11 to $16? This is price gouging on a scale that sent Martin Shkreli to jail. I've got a new job and with it, new insurance, a high-deductible policy with an HSA for the first time. Under my old policy, I had been making $25 copayments for 90-day supplies of my one prescription. I had no idea what it might cost without coverage. When I refilled it for the first time under my new policy, CVS Caremark (my new insurer's only supplier of 90-day refills) called to authorize the sale at $450. I would not be eligible to make a $30 copayment until my deductible was satisfied. I was shocked, but I concluded that this must be the regular price for my prescription, a price I had never paid in full before. So, I agreed. Only later did I think to look at other prescription drug providers, even if my insurance would not cover them. For the same prescription, CostPlusDrugs.com would charge $16, delivered. Amazon Pharmacy would charge $11 with fre

I am 68; less healthy than I used to be; and worth less than I used to be.I did have Wisconsin Badger Care and Medicare a, b, and d.Recently, I did a renewal and I am NO LONGER eligible for Badger Care because my assets (less than $3,000) are 'too high'.Now I have NO dental or eye coverage.THIS seems ludicrous.  As we age our eyes and teeth and hearing worsen.  It's a given!I want to write to whom ever I can in local (state) government but - need to know who.I can manage but I can't imagine the 1000s of people that are affected by this.Seniors who have paid a life time of 'dues'.Help.

As a result of all the changes taking place next year because of the Inflation Reduction Act and other rule changes, it is gonna be MOST important to review your Part D and Part C plans for 2025 so that you are assured they meet your health needs in the best possible ways in 2025. The new plans will be available around the 1st week in October for open enrollment between Oct 7 and December 7.   Premium hikes as a result of these changes are expected - get more; pay more.  In fact, some or all of the zero premium Part D plans might just go away.  There will be formulary changes, so check your medication needs against the newest list from the drug plans.  You can also do this on the Medicare.gov site.  Tier classifications might change on the meds you are taking, so check that too as well as any special considerations like “prior approval” (PA) or “quantity limits” (QL) or step therapy (ST).   Your total out of pocket will change ( $ 2000 for 2

I understand healthcare costs have increased, however to dupe citizen's into buying a supplemental healthcare plan then changing the terms of agreement and increasing the monthly premiums mid-year sets a precedent that is fraudulent. As a company who puts their name behind an insurance career, I hope you will re-evaluate your allegiance with United Healthcare. 

Today I received my new premium notice breakdowns with due dates and noticed the premiums were $200 higher!My Policy is set to renew this week and according to the declarations page, they raised my dwelling coverage $177,000! When I called to get an explanation of why, he went into a canned sales pitch about how high construction costs are to rebuild! The new dwelling they have for me is the current market price!!!Also, there was NO prior notice of the raise.I just filed a complaint with NYS Dept of Insurance.Check your Policy!

If you are still working at 65 and have delayed signing up for all the parts of Medicare because you have Employer Group Coverage,  some changes ahead may disqualify your plan.  Then the late enrollment penalty would apply because the employer plan no longer meets the equal to better (credible) benefits offered in Medicare.    Kiplinger.com - A Medicare Upgrades Could Disqualify Your Private Plan What a mess - somebody just forgot about this when writing all the new Part D rules.     

31% over last year. ($800) No tickets or accidents. Perfect credit. Disappointed in Hartford and the AARP.  Enough said.

I don't understand the big deal about the new hearing aid directive. AARP should be fighting for hearing aids to be covered by Medicare. Since we need the hearing aids as we age, it is insane for Medicare not to cover this. Why is AARP silent on this topic but make a big deal for over the counter ones. Just another way to take advantage of the aging population. 

FROM THE ARTICLE - SEE ARTICLE FOR MORE!!! 64 Medicare Prescription Drugs That Are Getting More Affordable. The coinsurance rates for certain Part B medications are being lowered temporarily. Here’s why. By Rachel Nania, AARP. Published July 03, 2024. Some people with Medicare will pay less for their prescription medications from July 1 to September 30, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced.   The agency identified 64 drugs — used by more than 750,000 Medicare enrollees annually — whose prices have risen faster than the rate of inflation. Under the prescription drug law passed in 2022, the coinsurance rates for these medications will be adjusted to match the inflation rate, meaning some people with Medicare could pay less out of pocket through September. What’s more, the makers of these drugs will face penalties for the price hikes in the form of a rebate to Medicare. https://www.aarp.org/politics-society/advocacy/info-

 Is AARP involved in any work or discussions with Congress to eliminate the Doughnut Hole in Medicare?  It costs seniors, who are quite vulnerable, money that we can not afford to lose. Congress MUST eliminate this sinkhole that we seniors can not afford to pour money into.  I write to my elected officials constantly, yet no one does anything to address this abomination of a rule.

To: United Healthcare, Optum, the South Carolina Department of Insurance, AARP, BBB, Current & Prospective Future Enrollees in AARP UHC Medicare Advantage Plans I am writing to make the entities above aware of the experience that my wife and I have had with United Healthcare (UHC) and Optum over the past 3 ½ years relative to their Medicare Advantage Plans. To say the least, it has been a VERY frustrating and disappointing experience.   When I retired in January 2021, my wife and I enrolled in one of the AARP United Healthcare Medicare Advantage Plans offered in South Carolina, where we live. I retired as an executive with over 40 years in the managed healthcare industry, so I am very familiar with Medicare Advantage plans and how they are supposed to work. (The company from which I retired is not currently licensed in the state of South Carolina). My prior Group Plan coverage terminated on January 31, 2021. As I have said over and over again to representatives

I'm coming up where I'll be adding Medicare part B soon.   One of my concerns is that I'm on Trelegy and it's a bundle without having a prescription plan.  I've been considering Blue Cross Blue Shield's advantage plan to get the prescription coverage.  I'd appreciate any advice people can give.   Thanks!    

To: United Healthcare, Optum, the South Carolina Department of Insurance, AARP, BBB, Current & Prospective Future Enrollees in AARP UHC Medicare Advantage Plans I am writing to make the entities above aware of the experience that my wife and I have had with United Healthcare (UHC) and Optum over the past 3 ½ years relative to their Medicare Advantage Plans. To say the least, it has been a VERY frustrating and disappointing experience.   When I retired in January 2021, my wife and I enrolled in one of the AARP United Healthcare Medicare Advantage Plans offered in South Carolina, where we live. I retired as an executive with over 40 years in the managed healthcare industry, so I am very familiar with Medicare Advantage plans and how they are supposed to work. (The company from which I retired is not currently licensed in the state of South Carolina). My prior Group Plan coverage terminated on January 31, 2021. As I have said over and over again to representatives

LOL - what’s the world coming to ?  But I guess crime has been around as long as civilization -     APNEWS 06/27/2024- Justice Department charges nearly 200 people in $2.7 billion health care fraud schemes crackdown   

FROM THE ARTICLE - SEE ARTICLE FOR MORE! By Kimberly Lankford, AARP. Published June 14, 2024. Medicare has never been a family plan, in contrast to employer-sponsored health insurance. Each spouse pays separate Medicare premiums, and married couples don’t get a discount. If both spouses are enrolled in Medicare Part B, they each pay $174.70 a month in 2024; more for couples with high incomes. https://www.aarp.org/health/medicare-qa-tool/does-marriage-affect-medicare.html

  Is AARP doing anything to address the doughnut hole in Medicare, and how to eliminate it completely? I just spent almost $500 for insulin to keep me alive.  I am on Social Security and Medicare and I do not   know in I will be able to afford this life saving medicine when I need to refill it.

I had a wonderful dentist who partnered w his patients; his staff could tell you to a nickel what the share was for each visit. He tried to hold costs down. Unfortunately he passed away, and I’ve not been unsuccessful at duplicating the experience. One dentist provided me w a treatment plan, but I could not pin her down on what the actual cost would be. Lasers for pockets, a back tooth implant w a graft, etc. I didn’t want any of it. Thousands! My current dentist’s staff puts a clipboard in front of you while you’re in the chair and makes you sign responsibility for the ‘estimate.’ Fine, OK, but he just did an onlay that cost $1200 above the estimate, now I’m on the hook for $1700. My dental insurance paid $85 would have covered 50% of a crown had he done one. No one in my retirement planning told me to have $40,000 in an account held in reserve for dental care. I’m at a loss in more way than one. It’s costing $3000 a year for dental care and I have insurance. How can seniors advocate

After 45 years of using the same insurance company, we decided to look into Hartford. What a mistake! I set up auto pay for Auto insurance when I took out policy. I verified all info in system was correct, yet they failed to take payment and cancelled policy without notifying me. I found out when I checked bank statement and saw it was not withdrawn. No problem, I thought. I called and called and could get noone to help me. AARP members are lowest on priority. Finally, after hours of being shuffled around, I talked to a live person that informed me there was nothing they could do. It was cancelled due to non-payment and it could not be reinstated. She advised that I call and get coverage right away with another company. I also have my homeowners with them, so now they leave me stuck to get coverage and also change my homeowners since it is too expensive without bundling. I wish I had never changed. They are the worst company I have ever dealt with and it is not worth switching. How can

On 04.26.2024, HHS issued a whole lot of new rules on health care coverage -HHS.gov-HHS Issues New Rule to Strengthen Nondiscrimination Protections and Advance Civil Rights in Health CareThis is just one small part of it -For the first time, the Department will consider Medicare Part B payments as a form of Federal financial assistance for purposes of triggering civil rights laws enforced by the Department, ensuring that health care providers and suppliers receiving Part B funds are prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, sex and disability.By just reading this very short statement, I am sure everybody would say, That’s great - but then when you get down to reading all the fine print which one only finds in reading the whole rule in the Federal Registry do you understand that there is gonna be a lot of cost to this for Medicare Beneficiaries to absorb in their Part B premiums and by proxy, into their Medigap premiums if one has chosen this way

 If you have Original Medicare, your doctor should let you know if you are - An Accountable Care Organization (ACO) is a group of doctors, hospitals, and/or other health care providers who work together to improve the quality and experience of care you get. Medicare.gov- Accountable Care OrganizationYou could be in one of these through Original Medicare if your doctor belongs to one.You could be in one of these if your Medicare Advantage plan with your doctor has placed you within one.CMS.gov - Accountable Care and Accountable Care Organizations YouTube Video from CMS.gov on ACO (Accountable Care Orgaizartions)  

Looking for a way to estimate the total annual dollar exposure I will have arising from Medicare's 20% Part B Coinsurance.