Interesting, Irish. I'm sure you're right that Medicare isn't what is was when it started.
Medicine has experience astounding changes in the past 54 years. My grandmother had terrible knee problems. She would have benefited greatly from modern knee replacement surgery, which was first patented in 1974, the year my grandmother died.
I don't have any alternative to Medicare, which of course isn't perfect. I was a Director of HR for several types of employers, both large and small, all private. And I know first hand that health insurance is extraordinarily complicated, outrageously expensive, and every employer has shifted more and more costs of medical coverage to employees.
By the way, I had Medicare Advantage plans for many years. I wasn't aware I needed a Supplemental Plan, instead of an Advantage plan. Supplemental Plans are almost always more expensive than Advantage Plans, as well.
Medicare Advantage Plans are designed by Insurance companies, who contract with Medicare to manage medical care using the Medicare revenue transferred to the company from Medicare. Any given insurance company may offer a wide range of Advantage Plans and they differ from state to state. The plans offered, and contributions required can change from year to year.
Medigap or Medicare Supplement Plans were designed by Medicare and adopted by many Insurance Companies. There are 9 Plans, and the coverage under each plan is exactly the same from one insurance company to the next. Only the cost differs.
The Supplement plans have alphabetical names A-L, and there are TWO F plans. The F Plan I have covers everything with no deductible, the other is a high deductible plan. Why they are both plan F designations escapes me!
A few years ago the Medicare Advantage Plan I had in NC, the specific plan, was CANCELLED. And that event, which is called a 'qualifying event', made me and my husband eligible to choose ANY plan, including Medicare Supplement Plans. The insurance company that cancelled my Advantage Plan, had many other Advantage Plans I could have chosen from, but I did my research and gratefully took Plan F, no deductible.
The past May I was hospitalized with what is called a pseudo intestinal blockage.
Last week I was evaluated in a Duke Urgent Care facility and then sent to Duke Raleigh Hospital, where I had a CT Scan and was diagnosed with pneumonia, a collapsed lung and bronchitis. In that time (end of May to July 2) I had TWO IVIG infusions, in my home, billed at $15,000 each.
Yesterday I saw my Primary Care Physician for my annual visit.
Each time, I showed my ID, my Medicare Care and my Supplement Card. I paid nothing. I will never see an itemized bill.
With either an Advantage Plan or a Supplement you must be treated by doctors and institutions that accept Medicare. Not everyone does.
Like any new product or service you purchase,Kathy, you will have lots to learn.
Best wishes, and keep us posted!
Regards, Elaine
