Health Boards
Mon-19-10-2015, 13:45 PM
Glenda, with the Affordable Act Plan now in place, I'm not totally sure how it would work for you once you can get Medicare. I've never even looked at the Insurance Marketplace so have no clue what options there may be. But, instead of opting out of Medicare you may want to look for a supplement if that proves to be a better option than paying for a different primary health plan. We have Blue Cross and I believe our cost is just under $500 per month for my husband to cover both of us. His company pays half so that would mean our policy runs around $1000 per month (yes, it's ridiculous!!) Our deductible is $2400 each (for those not familiar with our insurance that means you have to pay that much out of pocket before the insurance even starts to pay on anything, and then it only pays a percentage usually)
Actually I have plenty of bills so here's an example of one. Mr. Kat only has BlueCross and this is his bill for the anesthesia from his colonoscopy AFTER meeting the deductible.
Total cost $1688.00
Insurance write off (this is always a bit weird, it has to do with agreements between hospitals, doctors and the insurance company) -$1272.00
Insurance paid $332.80
Leaving Mr. Kat responsible to pay $83.20.
I have Medicare as a secondary insurance, so if that were my bill the Medicare would pay the $83.20.
Prescriptions and medicine is an entirely different thing though as policies differ so very much in what they will pay (and in some cases even allow) There are prescription plans available that can be used to supplement the insurance, but it's difficult to find one that is actually worth having that doesn't cost quite a bit. My mom had Medicare and supplemented her prescriptions and even then had to pay out of pocket about $300 per month for her medications.
I know that Glenda knows a lot of this already (having to deal with the US insurance) but thought it would help clarify the challenges that are faced here when it comes to our insurance.
But there are some who get free insurance here. It's usually a state program for those who are struggling (and sometimes those who just know how to work the system to be honest.) Then there are times when lawyers have you work the system as in my daughter's case. Her ex makes good money and he is responsible for medical expenses for their kids. He can carry insurance on them through his work however he knew my daughter would go back to college to finish her degree so in the divorce settlement she was REQUIRED to apply for state insurance for the kids. Since she isn't working she was approved and so pays nothing for their insurance which covers just about 100% on everything.
Insurance is extremely varied here!
Actually I have plenty of bills so here's an example of one. Mr. Kat only has BlueCross and this is his bill for the anesthesia from his colonoscopy AFTER meeting the deductible.
Total cost $1688.00
Insurance write off (this is always a bit weird, it has to do with agreements between hospitals, doctors and the insurance company) -$1272.00
Insurance paid $332.80
Leaving Mr. Kat responsible to pay $83.20.
I have Medicare as a secondary insurance, so if that were my bill the Medicare would pay the $83.20.
Prescriptions and medicine is an entirely different thing though as policies differ so very much in what they will pay (and in some cases even allow) There are prescription plans available that can be used to supplement the insurance, but it's difficult to find one that is actually worth having that doesn't cost quite a bit. My mom had Medicare and supplemented her prescriptions and even then had to pay out of pocket about $300 per month for her medications.
I know that Glenda knows a lot of this already (having to deal with the US insurance) but thought it would help clarify the challenges that are faced here when it comes to our insurance.
But there are some who get free insurance here. It's usually a state program for those who are struggling (and sometimes those who just know how to work the system to be honest.) Then there are times when lawyers have you work the system as in my daughter's case. Her ex makes good money and he is responsible for medical expenses for their kids. He can carry insurance on them through his work however he knew my daughter would go back to college to finish her degree so in the divorce settlement she was REQUIRED to apply for state insurance for the kids. Since she isn't working she was approved and so pays nothing for their insurance which covers just about 100% on everything.
Insurance is extremely varied here!