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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 7 of 7. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by johnLA on April 14, 2014, at 20:02:32
hi all-
not sure if this is the right place for this...
since i went out on early retirement from teaching (after 28 years) i have been paying for private health insurance. it is about $600 per month. excellent insurance. blue shield ppo here in california. very 'rich' in coverage, but very pricey.
on a whim a friend said i should apply for ssdi. i felt a bit reluctant to do this. but, i had paid into social security for many years.
they approved my case. i am not sure how much i will receive from soc sec in disability income. there is a 'off-set' provision since i have a public pension plan. but!...
i am interested in the medicare. i researched it a bit and they even have some plans that you can pay extra and get into a ppo plan.
my question is; is medicare coverage bad? or, less good say than private pay insurance?
i am tempted to try it for a while. i think it will be much cheaper than the $600 i am paying now.
what are the costs of medicare parts a, b, and d?
sigh.
what a nightmare this all is. i never had to worry about insurance. i got coverage the first day is started teaching at 22...
thanks for any insight. i will also contact social security to find out more.
hoping we all get some peace.
john
Posted by Phillipa on April 14, 2014, at 22:06:15
In reply to is medicare insurance any good compared to private, posted by johnLA on April 14, 2014, at 20:02:32
John was on disability for a few years then turned retirement age. My coverage for both Disability and Retirement Medicaire is the same. I also pay for a supplemental plan. My total cost for both medicaire and supplemental is about $175 a month and includes medications. My pdoc recently got brand name valium for 1/4 of the cost. Approved by medicaire. I think California has some weird policies. Go to gov.org and that will give you the medicaire plane same as disability. I have a plan which allows me to refer myself to any doctor that takes medicaire. Don't get into one of the plans where you have to see someone in a special group. Good luck. I personally think medicaire is better than the private insurance BC/BS that my husband buys on his own. Phillipa
Posted by johnLA on April 15, 2014, at 17:50:03
In reply to Re: is medicare insurance any good compared to private » johnLA, posted by Phillipa on April 14, 2014, at 22:06:15
hi p-
did my homework...
spoke with a few doctor friends and the all said 'go for the medicare.' they prefer it over private insurance, wild.
i also checked w/my gp, ent, etc and they all take it.
yes, i will only get parts a, b and d. all for about what you pay. i will pass on the 'enhanced' coverage.
saving over $400+ per month will really help me.
thanks for your reply.
john
Posted by Phillipa on April 15, 2014, at 20:34:21
In reply to Re: is medicare insurance any good compared to private » Phillipa, posted by johnLA on April 15, 2014, at 17:50:03
You are more than welcome. Added note my husband saw a doc as he hasn't seen on in many years as his brother has prostrate ca and I went in with him. Somehow the topic of loss of taste came up and he disagrees with what the other docs said think there could be nerve involvement. Haven't made an appointment with him yet as switching internists. But the hope of maybe having something again is keeping me from going as he to hope again and have it not turn out is devastating to me.
Back to medicaire. Right now it's the best. For how long who knows but get the things done now you need to while it's available to you. P
Posted by johnLA on April 15, 2014, at 20:54:21
In reply to Re: is medicare insurance any good compared to private » johnLA, posted by Phillipa on April 15, 2014, at 20:34:21
p-
have you tried a 1 week or 2 week 'blast' of prednisone for your sense of smell? i think i asked you this before. my problem is sinus polyps. they have blocked the olfactory nerves.
the prednisone works amazing for me. it just makes me very anxious and sleepless. still, it works for a bit for me. i get a month or so of a bit of smell. i have read you can do it safely 3 or 4 times a year.
i am getting ready for a 4th sinus polyp surgery. argh.
don't give-up on the smell deal. it's like depression in many ways; war! ;)
thnx again for the help on the medicare. it's even cheaper than my work insurance and i had a hmo. we are lucky that we get it.
tc
john
Posted by Phillipa on April 15, 2014, at 21:02:20
In reply to Re: is medicare insurance any good compared to private » Phillipa, posted by johnLA on April 15, 2014, at 20:54:21
John when saw the first taste and smell docs two weeks of prednisone. I had one ENT a couple years ago say the only thing was a slight deviated septum. But that couldn't cause it as I'm betting most people have a slightly deviated nose. P
Posted by Zyprexa on April 17, 2014, at 21:33:51
In reply to is medicare insurance any good compared to private, posted by johnLA on April 14, 2014, at 20:02:32
I have medicare, on ssdi.I pay about$250 for it. Thats a b &d,through blue cross advantage plan. Most of my rxs are free for generics through the mail order. About$100 for b, a is free unless you are rich. I think medicare is the best.
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