Medicare

[trector1955]

Hello

    I just got approved for disability and received my medicare card. If any one has medicare which I am sure alot do, How do you like it ? any Suggenions for me I have not read up on It as of yet. I have insurance with aetna Thu my husband so aetna told me they were primary and medicare was secondary.

I have an apt with my rummy Friday Atena will take care of this but I was told Medicare will pay the co payment. Is that right. There seems to be alot of stuff at goes with medicare. I am thinking about their drug plan I live in Va. any comment here?

Thanks Theresa, I agree about the typing I also have a hard time with my eyes But I could not find how to make the writing bigger.

[Epson]

Good for you!

[Joe S.]

I am glad you could do what I could not.

[Joy Cox]

 
Congratulations 

A suggestion: On back of your medicare card is number to call to make inquiries. What you want to know is which is primary insurance now that you are on disability?

Look closely at front of card for coverage. It should use A is for Hospital, B is Medical and D, I think, is Drug.

Did the person you talked with at Aetna realize you are now on disability?

Maybe, someone on this website that has recently dealt with disability will come along and offer more help.  Joy

[Scottietottie]

Hi 

I can't help you about medicare but if you have a computer mouse with a wheel in the middle of it - hold 'control' down on the keyboard and turn the wheel and the writing will get bigger.

Good luck with the insurance issues.

Take care - Scottie 

[anita]

I have been on Medicare since 1998 and regardless of whatever company my husbands insurance was with, Medicare has always been primary (if based upon disability).  Give them a call and double check it out.  Aetna may not have realized that it is on disability...and it does make a difference.

Your RX coverage with Aetna will probably be better than anything you can pay for with part D, so hang to that...we all know how expensive our meds are:-)

Glad you got approved. 

[Bernice]

Look to your toolbar -

page- zoom Or text size

[Epson]

When I took care of my dad I had my first encounter with Medicare and I was astonished at what they would pay for and the simplicity of the program.  It's a government program that people can be proud of and I can even imagine what it was like before we had Medicare.  Thank you Lyndon Johnson.

[Calli66]

If you are eligible for Medicare, don't get talked into a Medicare Advantage Plan. A friend of mine did this by mistake. Medicare Advantage is actually private insurance and may not have the same rights, coverage, and available doctors as Medicare.

Calli

[eyeamdry]

I went through this with disability-both short term, then soc sec disability and insurance through my work.  My husband was on Medicaire some of that time and on my ins part of this time..  It is very confusing and can turn on a dme.  I remember getting into a "chat" with office assistant about which one was primary and one time she was right and another I was.  Just tread softly and carry a big stick and a pen and notebook.  Take names.  Lucy

[Billydude]

I have Medicare (which is great) as primary and United Heathcare as secondary.    I'm on my partners insurance for United Healthcare and its a retirement package but if he was still working it would have been United Healthcare Primary and Medicare secondary.

[beej]

My son is disabled and has had Medicare/Medicaid since birth.  He has Parts A, B and D.  This is the best you can get for coverage.  In my state (Arizona) he does not have to pay any co-pay, which is a good thing.  But every year it is a question as to whether or not he gets that little extra bit of benefit.  The biggest problem we have for him is just finding doctors that will accept Medicare.  Most do not.  Best wishes for you.  Sounds to me like having a regular insurance plan AND Medicare will work very well for you.

[Billydude]

beej?   are you really finding that most doctors don't take Medicare.   Where I am in California I haven't found a doctor that doesn't take it.  They all take it and seem relieved that you have it.

[anita]

Likewise here in VA Beej.  Everyone takes medicare.  I've never comes across a doctor or group that doesn't.  Now Medicaid is a different story I'm sure, but I don't have that.

Good luck.

[Joy Cox]

Know this is correct; Medicare is a Federal Program. If Medicare is your primary insurance, you can go to any medical facility or doctor that has a contract with Medicare.

Whereas; not 100% sure, though think Medicaid is a State Mandated Program in each state.

My secondary ins. is one that will pay where Medicare Pays. Chose this one in my School Retirement Package so I am able to go to any large facility (medicare approved, which most are) and do not have to have a referral. NICE...but I have to carry a separate drug policy.

Upon retiring, Hubby took the HMO type administered by United Health and he is limited to area docs. and facilities. If an illness that required him go somewhere else, he'd need to first go to Vanderbilt in Nashville, and then referred from there, if needed.

I do not need a referral to go anywhere in US. that is Medicare approved; whereas, hubby does. Referrals take time and sometimes time is precious!!