Beverly, this was hysterical and I want to share it with many others. I felt this way too exactly. Fortunately I had some wise persevering friends that had already worked through it and would help me.
Here's my short take. Basic Medicare is the somewhat bare bones. It involves taking $100+ (I forget exact amount but it's set) out of your social security. It doesn't cover everything AND it depends on you finding doctors and specialists who will accept Medicare. (They have to agree to take what the government reimburses them). I am not sure how hard this is but it would worry me a bit. An advantage plan adds some perks and costs extra money. You can choose the specific extra coverage you want. More costs more. I think AARP looks pretty fair for this possibility. If I had not found the plan below, I'm pretty sure I would have chosen one of the plans under AARP. But there are some plans that will take the place of Medicare. They get your basic Medicare money. And then they put in place their own coverage. Kind of like a managed health care plan. I am sure they vary in terms of cost and effectiveness. But my friends steered me to a senior plan locally which built on the health care they already had through their school district (and my own long ago.) And I have to say it is quite wonderful. I pay nothing extra in terms of monthly costs except my regular social security deduction. My co pays are almost all $10.00 and some referrals are even free. I get dental and vision at no extra cost. It is more than I would get from any advantage plan. And I love it. Have had lots of medical tests and specialists this first year of retirement concerning my asthma and none of it has cost me anything virtually. So I'm not sure what is available in this regard other places but it is worth checking out Good luck and hope this is helpful. Sally On 6/13/11 3:29 PM, "Jan Sanders" <[email protected]> wrote: > >> Oh, Ellin, Ellin, Ellin ... and Jamika! I think I *understand*. I so >> wanted you both with me the past few days as I've tried SO HARD to >> UNDERSTAND Medicare, Parts A, B, C, D; BC/BS/ United/, formularies, >> original >> medicare, Advantage plans, PPO, LMXYZ and whatever other letters could be >> strung together to make nonsense!!! Jamika, I'm with you, girl! I could >> barely restrain myself from saying to the 43rd (or so) chirpy Senior Health >> Insurance Information Program counselor: "But, none a y'all ever say what >> make sense mean." >> >> chirpy lady: Well, honey, there are two parts: do you want Original >> Medicare or Medicare Advantage? >> me: I don't know. That's why I called!! (you and the other 12 girls: an >> aside) Could you help me understand what the difference is between the >> two? >> chirpy lady: Well, dear, the Original Medicare is what was original. And >> Medicare Advantage is an advantage. Now do you understand. >> me: No, I don't. Could you please give me an understanding of what would >> make one choose one or the other? >> chirpy lady: Well, it would depend on whether you wanted Original Medicare >> or Medicare Advantage. Would you like me to send a booklet to you? >> me: No, I have several books. I've read them all three times (true!) and >> I >> don't really understand the advantages of each. What kind of a person >> would >> want Original rather than Advantage? >> chirpy lady: Well, I guess that would be someone who wanted the Original. >> I have some website links I could send you after I get them from my office >> assistant. Would that help you? >> me: Well, let's see. Could you please tell me what characteristics about >> a >> person would make them take Medicare Advantage? It would really help me if >> you could tell me with different words, because I DON'T UNDERSTAND!!! >> chirpy lady: You know, it just occurred to me that a counselor from >> western >> Nebraska would be able to help someone like you more. >> me: Well, let me get my boots and spurs on and I'll ride on over to the >> office. Of course, it is 250 miles away. >> chirpy lady: Well, you could come to Grand Island, that part of western >> Nebraska, would that be closer? >> me: Well, I think my map would indicate that GI was not even in the >> western >> TWO-THIRDS of the state. It would be a 320 mile trip, and that might take >> me and my steed a few days. >> chirpy lady: I have an idea!! I could send you a diagram of Original >> Medicare and Medicare Advantage. Do you think a diagram would help? >> me: I HAVE DIAGRAMS!!! I need more words. I DON'T UNDERSTAND!! >> not-so-chirpy lady: SWEETHEART, let's review!! Now, what is it again that >> the Original Medicare is for? Original Medicare is for people who want >> original Medicare. Who would want original Medicare? People who want >> Original Medicare. What People? Yes, people who want Original Medicare. >> Did that help? >> me: NO!!!!! I want to know what OM is!! Then I would also be able to >> figure out Medicare Advantage! >> very-little-chirpiness lady: (sigh) All right. I'll review that one more >> time. If you can say it with a 13 % error rate, you'll UNDERSTAND. Okay, >> get ready. Medicare Advantage plans are wanted by people who want Medicare >> Advantage Plans. Who would want MA plans? People who want Medicare >> Advantage. What people? Yes, people who want Medicare Advantage. Now you >> get it. >> me: *WHICH PERSON AM I?????????????* And why? >> very-chirpy-lady: Oh, my goodness, darling, look at the time. We here in >> eastern Nebraska go to lunch at Central Daylight Time 12:00. It's only >> 11:00 way out there. You know, Mountain Daylight Time. Do you understand >> it's not regular Mountain Time? Oh, look at the clock. Let me give you >> someone to help you that's in your ZONE!! Thanks for asking; I was very >> happy to help you today. GO HUSKERS!!! >> >> Jamika, Jamika, Jamika: Where are you when I need you? I tried to tell >> them that "none a y'all ever say what make sense" but they just don't get >> it. >> >> Well, I'd better get back to my book. I'm going to outline the *Medicare & >> You*, and make a glossary. And I think I'll make myself some little >> flashcards, too, so I can remember the vocabulary. If I still don't get >> it, >> I think I'll put it on my IPod so I can listen to it more. I guess I just >> haven't read it enough. >> >> Or, Ellin, could you please just tell me which one to take?? _______________________________________________ Mosaic mailing list [email protected] To unsubscribe or modify your membership please go to http://literacyworkshop.org/mailman/options/mosaic_literacyworkshop.org Search the MOSAIC archives at http://snipurl.com/MosaicArchive
