Re: Medicare and supplemental health insurance

[Guest guest]

For those of you on Medicare or about to be, an important expert and impartial source of information on Medicare is the Center for Medicare Advocacy.

http://www.medicareadvocacy.org/

Check it out.

Jerome

In a message dated 12/13/2010 4:21:03 P.M. Eastern Standard Time, NCSilverBear@... writes:

thanks for your reply. I only got two. <GRIN>

I've gone over my coverage with my benefits manager, and as nearly as can be seen right now, the coverage will basically remain the same with BCBS as it has been with CIGNA. I surely hope so, because CIGNA has been very good to me, (Knock on wood!)

I agree that my medication coverage is better than anything I've seen in looking over other options on the Internet. So, I'll stick with what is currently working.

However, no, I'm NOT on SSDI. I took early retirement at age 62 and began receiving SSI at that point. I did not qualify for SSDI then, as my OS's had not manifested themselves so boldly. But, now that I'm turning 65, SSDI is no longer an option, I'm told, even if I would qualify, health-wise, now.

I will be eligible for Medicare in January because of my age, not linked to my medical condition.

Thanks,

Jon Markle

Raleigh, NC

On Dec 12, 2010, at 1:44 PM, R. wrote:

Hi Jon,

It is really not possible to give you good advice without knowing exactly what your BCBS plan covers and what your medical costs are, but most employer health plan prescription coverage is more generous than Medicare Part D, if only because there is no coverage gap. Your benefits manager's advice is probably correct. I doubt that enrolling in a Medicare Advantage or Medicare Part D plan would be wise, as you have your BCBS plan to cover what Medicare does not cover, but again, this is difficult to say without knowing what the BCBS plan covers. My recommendation is that you contact your state-sponsored health insurance counseling program for seniors, the North Carolina Senior Health Insurance Information Program (SHIP) at 1-800-443-9354. Anyone with similar questions living in another state can find the State Health Insurance Information Program for their state athttp://www.workworld.org/wwwebhelp/state _health_insurance_assistance_program_ship_.htm#State_Health_Insurance_Assistance_Program_SHIP_ContactsFor your information (and to avoid confusing your health insurance counselor), I believe you are receiving SSDI (Social Security Disability Insurance), not SSI (Supplemental Security Income), as SSDI is linked with Medicare, and SSI is for people with very limited income and assets, which does not seem to be the case for you, as you are receiving retirement benefits from your former employer. One easy way to tell the difference is the date that you receive your benefits check or that it is deposited in your bank account. SSI checks or payments are received on or before the first of the month, and SSDI checks or payment are received on or before the third day of the month for long-time beneficiaries, or later in the month (depending on your birthdate) for more recent beneficiaries. Your original award letter and subsequent correspondence from t he Social Security Administration should state the name of the program under which you are receiving benefits.

Re: Medicare Advantage plans

Posted by: "Jon" NCSilverBear@... ncsil verbear

Sat Dec 11, 2010 1:55 pm (PST)I'm trying to sort my way through all this, and not having much luck at calming my confusion. I am currently approaching my 65th birthday in January. I am currently on SSI but not SSDI. So, Medicare will kick in. I have had some pretty good health insurance through my retirement package at work (I took early retirement at age 62). But, we are switching from CIGNA to BCBS in January, too. I'm told my coverage will be the same, including a very good (I think) prescription coverage managed by Walgreens Prescription Drug Program. That will remain the same.I'm told by my benefits manager that I do not need any additional coverage like Medicare Advantage or Part D because the coverage I currently have is better than those. So, between my policy through my retirement benefits and the Medicare basic, I'll need not to make any other choices. But, since I'm heavily engaged in treatments, medications, and not less than 9 doctors, etc., I'm a little leery about not exploring my options. Only I can't quite sort things out. So far everyone I see takes both BCBS and Medicare. I understand that Medicare will be the first biller and then BCBS. This year I exceeded my co-pays quickly. I expect that to happen next year as well. At that point, my insurance covered 100%, and the only out of pocket expenses have been co-pays on medications, which is pretty significant by themselves. But, not as bad as some have reported.Any comments would be appreciated.Thanks.Jon MarkleRaleigh, NC