BellaOnline Forums News and Politics Senior Issues Medicare D (Prescription Coverage)

Okay, I've had years of experience reading government forms, and I went to graduate school to help people find the resources they need.

And I STILL have a hard time understanding the Medicare D program!

How do you all feel about it?

Do You Understand Medicare D? single choice

Yes, perfectly (0%, 0 Votes)

No, are you kidding? (0%, 0 Votes)

I think I get the gist of it (0%, 0 Votes)

What's Medicare D? (0%, 0 Votes)

No Votes Yet Voting on this poll ends: 08/09/06 07:31 PM

Is Medicare D helpful to you? single choice

Yes, I've saved lots (0%, 0 Votes)

No, I haven't saved a penny (0%, 0 Votes)

I've saved a little, but it could be better (0%, 0 Votes)

What's Medicare D? (0%, 0 Votes)

No Votes Yet Voting on this poll ends: 08/09/06 07:31 PM

I will be 65 on October 3rd. My last insurance coverage was under my parents' roof 50 years ago and I have always taken care of my own health with the help of some MD friends for scrip writing if necessary. So, I need to make Medicare decisions. I do not speak insurance at all. In Louisiana where I live, I think we have only two choices re a medicare supplement package that requires no payment: Tenet choices 65 and Humana.

My partner has retired military insurance and I see what she has to go through to get even an dr's appointment. Do I have any choices? Do I even need medicare? Seems as if I have it regardless.

help.

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Hi Jan,

Thanks for stopping by. Yes, wading through Medicare coverage is a pain in the a...uh, neck. It's a good idea to have at least basic Medicare, because the older we get, the more things seem to go wrong that require medical intervention. Meanwhile, the costs of even the most simple tests and medications are skyrocketing. Medicare won't pay for everything (if you go into the hospital for a week, for instance, you'll still have a whopping $952 coinsurance to pay), but it is better than nothing.

As for choosing a Medicare D insurance plan, it makes sense. You may not be spending much on prescriptions now, but if you get an expensvie diagnosis on down the road, it can come in handy. And if you don't sign up when they first give you a chance, you'll have to pay a penalty.

I'm not familiar with Tenet choices 65, but I have had several clients with Humana who were, shall we say, much less than satisfied.

If you can afford to pay a little extra, AARP has excellent "Medigap" insurance, and I think they offer Medicare D policies as well.

Hope this helps. Sorry you're having to deal with all of this.

Come back and visit any time.

AARP medigap is not available in Louisiana. I guess we are too litigious around here. We do have more lawyers per capita than other states. Insurance companies avoid us like the plague.

Thanks for you help.

Soldiering on.

Jan

I'm sory AARP isn't available in Louisiana. Probably the best you can do at this point is to look both plans over carefully and decide what makes the most sense for you. You might also try talking to friends who have signed up for one plan or another and get their feedback.

Best of luck!

So far, Tenet Choices is the best of the two, but that's not saying much.

Jan