Need dummy''s guide to Medicaire

[janinegirly]

Hi, my father is now at the age where he qualifies for Medicaire. I''m trying to help him through the process--but it''s confusing. As he tellls me he needs 2 cards, one for doctor visits and one for hospital visits with each costing about 150 per month.

I had no idea it would be so expensive and how does one know which program is the one to apply for (supplemental, Medicaire advantage, prescription). Are these the sorts of applications which can be done on line?

Just thought maybe someone here could explain it in layman''s terms or maybe had also recently helped a parent through it (or qualified themselves).

thanks!!

 

[packrat]

I don''t know much of anything about it, but what I would do is look for..I don''t know exactly what it''s called-Aging services? We called one when my MIL needed to go to the nursing home and we didn''t know what do to. Maybe the Social Security office? Or google it? The cards..I''ve only ever seen 1 card, and the number is usually the person''s SSN with A after it for hospital coverage, and then the number again with B after it for Medical coverage, for when you go to the Dr. If you have nice front staff at the Dr''s office, maybe call them and ask how to start the process. I don''t do insurance at work, but we''ve had people call before to find out how to get on Title 19 and ask about the different Medicare plans. A nice pharmacist might be able to help decide which prescription plan would be best.

 

[NOYFB]

Medicare Part A is for inpatient hospitalization only. Medicare Part B is for outpatient services. Medicare Part D is the prescription drug coverage, for which open enrollment is in November of each year. You can get a lot of information by going to www.medicare.gov It''s a good idea to have some sort of secondary insurance, such as Medicaid or AARP, but whatever you do, do NOT let him sign up for any type of Medicare Replacement program. They will instantly strip him of his Medicare benefits and will make it nearly impossible to get any type of healthcare. Those programs target elders and make it look like the benefits are wonderful, so elders are scammed into losing their Medicare benefits. And you NEVER want to lose your Medicare benefits.

BTW, I am a hospital social worker. That''s how I know this stuff.

 

[Imdanny]

Date: 4/8/2010 4:29:03 PM
Author: Lil Misfit
Medicare Part A is for inpatient hospitalization only. Medicare Part B is for outpatient services. Medicare Part D is the prescription drug coverage, for which open enrollment is in November of each year. You can get a lot of information by going to www.medicare.gov It''s a good idea to have some sort of secondary insurance, such as Medicaid or AARP, but whatever you do, do NOT let him sign up for any type of Medicare Replacement program. They will instantly strip him of his Medicare benefits and will make it nearly impossible to get any type of healthcare. Those programs target elders and make it look like the benefits are wonderful, so elders are scammed into losing their Medicare benefits. And you NEVER want to lose your Medicare benefits.


BTW, I am a hospital social worker. That''s how I know this stuff.

Yes, I was just going to say, go to Medicare''s website. There is a lot of misinformation about Medicare out there.

 

[janinegirly]

thanks Lil! So that''s alot of programs to sign up for (looks like at least 3 for decent coverage)--and it adds up! Does that sound accurate that it''s about $100+ for A & B?

 

[Girlrocks]

Date: 4/8/2010 3:33:13 PM
Author: packrat
I don''t know much of anything about it, but what I would do is look for..I don''t know exactly what it''s called-Aging services? We called one when my MIL needed to go to the nursing home and we didn''t know what do to. Maybe the Social Security office? Or google it? The cards..I''ve only ever seen 1 card, and the number is usually the person''s SSN with A after it for hospital coverage, and then the number again with B after it for Medical coverage, for when you go to the Dr. If you have nice front staff at the Dr''s office, maybe call them and ask how to start the process. I don''t do insurance at work, but we''ve had people call before to find out how to get on Title 19 and ask about the different Medicare plans. A nice pharmacist might be able to help decide which prescription plan would be best.

Each person only receives one Medicare number that is used for all of their Medicare coverage. The letter after the number is completely different...A or B for example are for the primary and secondary person on the plan.

Most people do not pay a premium for the Medicare A coverage if you or your spouse has contributed 40 working quarters over your lifetime into Medicare. Medicare A covers inpatient stays - hospital, nursing home, skilled nursing, etc.

Medicare B covers outpatient services - doctors visits, physical therapy, etc. This premium is under $100 per month for 2010.

Whichever you choose to get, you will only receive 1 Medicare card which will state on it what coverage you have (Medicare A or B or both) as well as the effective dates.

I strongly recommend that you also enroll in a secondary insurance-Blue Cross or AARP seem to be the best from my experience. Medicare B only covers 80%, and the 20% will be the responsibility of the patient if you do not have a secondary insurance to pay it. If your father ever finds himself in a skilled nursing facility, the co-pay for days 21-100 of the stay are $137.50 per day which is the patient''s responsibility if you do not have a secondary insurance to pick it up which could be $11,000.

I own a billing service that does consulting work for skilled nursing facilities; I bill Medicare over 700 claims per month so I am an unofficial Medicare expert!

I strongly recommend getting a

 

[Girlrocks]

Go to www.medicare.gov, top left corner click on FAQ, and the first one is co-insurance and premium information for 2010.