California? .. i think states vary, possibly by quite a lot? CA is known for “free stuff.”Valerie:
My mother is thrilled with her Medicare and it seems to have improved for her.
She had $0 out of pocket plus is given an amount every month that she can use to get things such as vitamins for free!
this sounds-like a MEDICARE ADVANTAGE plan, i’m trying one this year.
if her income is low enough, it might be MEDICAID (?) ..
if MEDICARE, she would be paying ($135/mo or so) automatically deducted from her Soc Security.
(it’s easy to forget this.) if it’s not MED ADV, she would also pay a deductible each year (about $200?) ..
there are so many twists, it’s not easy to compare apples with apples.
Medicare requires the $135/mo auto-pay from Soc Sec, AND, the Med Gap can’t be avoided, either, no matter what form of supplemental coverage is chosen.
however! -
Not $0, i now pay $48/mo., mostly because of time spent with my out of state family, so, i would use POS (Point of Service) doctors, if needed. (if i continued with Plans G+D, i would be paying about $175/mo., plus the other obligations).
i must SAVE this money; in case of med problems, you need reserves for deductibles of $3-6,000.
for me, this is a serious unknown, but, i’m giving it my best try. yes! it would be a big help if it could be a true savings/extra money, but, that could be disastrous, “in the event.”
there are so many details to consider, not all readily available.
it’s a headache. i WAS looking forward to Medicare. but, i’ve found it expensive+confusing.
this plan allows $200 for dental. there’s an allowance for a gym membership. there are a few “extras” like that. i haven’t heard anything about vitamins. i do not know.
i’m keeping a list of all expenses this year. at the end of the year, i’ll try to judge if this was a good decision. i hope so.Valerie:
My husband is on Medicare & chose Humana- so his Dr. Co-pay is $15 (half of mine, with my health insurance plan which I have an around deducted from my paychecks) and his transplant prescriptions are less than they used to be. It has caused me too almost look forward to Medicare.
Medicare scare tactics have been around for many years. i try to ignore.Valerie:
Being a cashier in a drugstore I've had customers declare "Trump is going to cut Medicare" & they seem fearful.
if your mother is in CA, Trump hate is strong.**
i was told, in 2020, the (evil) MEDICARE GAP (DOUGHNUT HOLE) will be ended.
this sounds too good to be true! i’ve just started to read about it.
i presume, if it is ended, costs of other things will go up??! i do not know.
Gov waste is a BIG problem, on all levels, from humble “welfare moms” to illegals, to big banks and Wall Street.Valerie:
Waste seems the biggest issue.
What upsets me is seeing what most people purchase that lead to diseases that leads to higher costs for all. It is sickening how much junk people consume - refuse to give up! Or at least minimize.
It's also amazing to me the junk food the food stamp card will cover!
**One example of strong Trump hate in CA:
Nov 2016, when Trump was elected, i was told, businesses in the CA military products industry were “terrified” of their futures with Trump as POTUS.
ok. i admit, i totally “laughed out loud” at this.
i mean, seriously. i somberly advised, “give him 6 months.”