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LoneWolf7254
Contributor ⭐⭐
January 21, 2025

No help for Seniors

  • January 21, 2025
  • 7 replies
  • 2614 views

     The increase of 2.5% for Seniors this year, was an unfunny joke.   Medicare ripped us off for more money, and Medicare Advantage raised Co-pays across the board.  Can't afford it, Congress say's, as well as the Senate.  Then How can this Government give Billions to other countries constantly ??   They do not have the guts to change the "Formula" for Social Security.  It's to hot a Topic in Washington.  They can't take a chance on not getting re-elected, with pay raises on the horizon.  They can spend Billions on illegal aliens, but not Seniors.  Third World Countries look after their elderly better than the United states.  The plan is to make excuses.  That is always the plan.

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    7 replies

    GailL1
    GailL1
    Community Champion ⭐⭐⭐
    January 21, 2025

    @LoneWolf7254 

    What do you mean “Medicare ripped us off for more money”?  Medicare Part B and D premiums are based on the cost of the various programs - IOW, if we use more of the programs it cost more in premiums - UTILIZATION.  

     

    Medicare Part B cost are divided out between beneficiaries and the government.  Beneficiaries in their premiums cover about 25% of the cost of the program and the government pays the other 75% out of the General Fund (meaning all tax payers money).  Higher Income beneficiaries pay a higher rate of premiums in IRMAA surcharges.  

     

    Medicare Advantage plans (MAPD) as well a Medicare Part D free standing plans had a lot of changes in 2025 due to the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA)  and if their cost went up and they did with the IRA, these cost are just past along.  Those who are talking higher cost meds are the winners here.  

     

    Even if the COLA was based on the Consumer Price Index for the Elderly" (CPI-E),  rather than the CPI-W it wouldn’t make that much different - The CPI-E has been about 0.2% higher per year.  So as in this year, 2025, we got a 2.53% CPI-W.  with a CPI-E, we would have gotten 2.73%

     

    As to where government spends all the money - I am sure we all have different opinions - perhaps the best thing to do is IF you need more help see if you qualify for what is already available.

     

    Medicare.gov - Medicare Savings Programs - this saves seniors money in Medicare premiums and copays and other cost.

     

    SSA.gov - Apply for Medicare Part D Extra Help program - saves on drug cost

     

    then there are others too .

    Who knows how things will change in the next several years.

     

    IT‘S ALWAYS SOMETHING . . . . .. . . . Roseanne Roseannadanna
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      LoneWolf7254Author
      Contributor ⭐⭐
      January 22, 2025

        Have You ever tried to get in touch with Medicare or SSA ??   Good Luck.   It's hard to have a Medicare savings account, when You cannot even make ends meet. Do You know how low the income limits are for help of any kind, for a couple in their Seventies with Disabilities and Major health issues ??    You have to be practically living in the Park.   You may know all about these programs, but not many disabled Seniors do.  Do You really think the COLA is fair, when Medicare takes a huge bite out of it, the Medicare Advantage Companies keep  raising co-pays and drug costs across the board. 

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      LoneWolf7254Author
      Contributor ⭐⭐
      January 25, 2025

      You are very clever with Your Word Salad. Are You retired ?   You actually think the the COLA formula is fair ??   You must be independently wealthy.  If You love the government agencies so much, why don't You go to work for one ??   How about letting some other members comment on post's before You dive in. If anything, You are annoying.  AARP does nothing to influence what goes on in Washington. 

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