My new life, I hope

[marvholly]

Pat

Hate to be a Debbie Downer BUT after all those years apart being together 24/7/365 is VERY difficult to adjust to. You will both need outside activities/friends multiple days/week to keep out of each other's hair.  Been there.  Done that.

[tcu2003]

Congrats on the great news, pat! Happy for you!

[wvugurl26]

Pat not sure on the Premarin dose. I found it as preferred brand on a handful of standalone prescription plans in your state. The random dose I picked had copays starting at $29 and going up towards $50. Others did it as a percentage starting at 20%.

The other one only 4 plans in the whole country cover it. Might have to pay for that one.

[Blonde Granny]

How we do it. We each have Medicare @ $104.96 per month taken from our SS checks. Mutual of Omaha Plan F for supplement....  I no longer have to carry supplement and DH pays $185/mo.  DH has no Part D as his drugs all come from the VA.  I also do not carry Part D as my Medicare supplement and  drugs are now covered by the VA.

I did have the Walmart/Humana Part D plan.  I paid $17/mo with a $300 deductible.  I normally would try to arrange it that I would have a big order in January, pay my deductible and get it over with for the rest of the year.

What you need to be careful of with Part D is getting yourself into the donut hole, then all bets are off and you will be paying extraordinary high prices for ALL your drugs. 

[Blonde Granny]

The ChampVA program is medical coverage for spouses and children of 100% disabled veterans. When someone like me has Medicare, ChampVA becomes secondary. Their drug plan is called medsbymail. There is no cost for spouses or children for the medical coverage or drugs gotten by mail. If I need to use a local pharmacy for a quicken Rx, I pay 25% of the discounted cost and ChampVA pays the balance.

As for Plan F even my $80K knee replacement was done with no out of pocket costs for me.  Everything start to finish, including 2 months of PT was covered between Medicare and Plan F.  Take a look at Mutual of Omaha online, that is who our supplement was with.  If both of us were covered and it was deducted automatically each month we received a discount.  I believe Plan F is far more comprehensive than Plan G.  Take a look also at AARP & United Health Care supplement.  We have friends that have it and been very satisfied.  No matter what company you decide to go with, all plans across the board, regardless of the company MUST offer the same coverage, only the price will differ.

[Tennesseer]

Reading all of Pat's posts about Medicare coverage and Parts A-XYZZZZ, I am so not looking to forward to figuring it all out in the next six months when I am eligible for Medicare come May.

[Blonde Granny]

You can apply 3 mo before your 65th birthday. Call your local BCBS offices and ask if they have any Medicare seminars that you could attend. We knew we wanted original Medicare, our biggest questions were about the supplement. We also quickly ruled out Medicare Advantage plans....large deductibles, confusing restriction, just not worth the effort.

During your first 12 months ONLY you can undo any mistakes etc. and change plans. After the first year exemptions to the rules, you may have to go through medical underwriting to change supplement coverage. Be sure you understand all the rules. Finding a reputable agent who sells supplements is worth their gold....(even though they don't charge). They can also help you to find the best Part D plan for you.

It may seem confusing now, but as you learn a little more, it does start to make sense.

[bean29]

Great News Pat!

Can you get off the Premarin? I take it myself, but I thought at some point they try to get you off of it. I know it is expensive, but my insurance pays a little bit of it.

I have to shop for supplements for my in-laws soon too. FIL uses insulin, and I wonder sometimes how they manage. We have them on an AARP United Healthcare Supplement.

As far as your DD goes, I am lactose intolerant and I can no longer eat anything made with corn including corn oil, corn starch, corn chips, corn tortillas and popcorn. I get horrible uncontrollable diarrhea accompanied by horrible gas/stomach pain usually about 2 am.  It may have to do with GMO corn, as I have always had corn in the past.  Dad's family are Illinois Flatlanders and we always had lots of corn in the summer and DH's family has always served meals with tortillas and corn chips.  Popcorn was the first thing I realized I could not eat, then I realized I could not digest any corn.  I was researching Gluten intolerance on the internet and the info on lots of people having issues with corn due to (they think) GMO corn popped up.

[Tennesseer]

Nov 17, 2015 15:21:08 GMT -5 Blonde Granny said:

You can apply 3 mo before your 65th birthday. Call your local BCBS offices and ask if they have any Medicare seminars that you could attend. We knew we wanted original Medicare, our biggest questions were about the supplement. We also quickly ruled out Medicare Advantage plans....large deductibles, confusing restriction, just not worth the effort.

During your first 12 months ONLY you can undo any mistakes etc. and change plans. After the first year exemptions to the rules, you may have to go through medical underwriting to change supplement coverage. Be sure you understand all the rules. Finding a reputable agent who sells supplements is worth their gold....(even though they don't charge). They can also help you to find the best Part D plan for you.

It may seem confusing now, but as you learn a little more, it does start to make sense.

Thanks, Blond Granny. I appreciate the info.

[NoNamePerson]

Nov 17, 2015 17:45:34 GMT -5 Tennesseer said:

Nov 17, 2015 15:21:08 GMT -5 Blonde Granny said:

You can apply 3 mo before your 65th birthday. Call your local BCBS offices and ask if they have any Medicare seminars that you could attend. We knew we wanted original Medicare, our biggest questions were about the supplement. We also quickly ruled out Medicare Advantage plans....large deductibles, confusing restriction, just not worth the effort.

During your first 12 months ONLY you can undo any mistakes etc. and change plans. After the first year exemptions to the rules, you may have to go through medical underwriting to change supplement coverage. Be sure you understand all the rules. Finding a reputable agent who sells supplements is worth their gold....(even though they don't charge). They can also help you to find the best Part D plan for you.

It may seem confusing now, but as you learn a little more, it does start to make sense.

Thanks, Blond Granny. I appreciate the info.

What BG said. It's really not all that confusing. I spent about an hour researching the plans offered in my state and then had to check if offered in my county. Found several of them were holding seminars and was able to attend. You just have to focus on what is appropro for you and remember that what goes for someone in a different state may not even be available to you. So take all that info with a grain of salt.   

There are all kinds of stuff if you are still working and eligible for medicare and your employer offers insurance but only if that is your case. If not don't concern yourself with it.

I guess if one has lots of doctors, medications that they have to take into account it might be dauting but heck, I picked a plan that practically every doc and all hospitals here take and it includes prescriptions also.

Good luck and just take a deep breath and you will be OK     

ETA: I also made sure I didn't have to have a primary doc to refer me to a specialist. My friggin knee hurts I don't need to go to a PD to tell me to see an ortho doc. Hell, I'm an intelligent adult with a working mind - it's old but it ain't dumbed down.

[marvholly]

Nov 18, 2015 21:09:23 GMT -5 @patstab said:

They measured me 5'7"  say what, I used to be 5' 9 1/4".  Man have I shrunk, no
osteoporosis so break down of back and feet I guess.

Pat

It does NOT have to be osteoporosis.  Know all those cushions between the vertebrae in your spine?  Well over time they do wear down & lose a LOT of elasticity.  Hence: shorter.

[wvugurl26]

Nov 17, 2015 21:33:01 GMT -5 @patstab said:

Ok, after finding out we don't have to do means testing I calmed down.

I called for our letter of credible coverage and it  will be coming, DH

is going to try and make sure he can get a reduction in force form,

he seldom does.

I can do this if I don't chose another option.

DH

Part B $104.90

Part D  $19  for the Silver script coverage and

our pharmacy takes it, he takes no meds

Supplement Aetna  $110

So total of $233, and that is plan F with $166

annual deductible.

May take another company, I'm still looking AARP/ United

premiums were $177 not sure what different they offer

if anything.  I still would like to at least get some of my

scripts paid, eventually premarin will stop but the others

wont, wonder why they wont pay for arthritis meds?

I too want to make sure there are no referrals, that is a

pain in the tush.

My premiums will be the same except for scripts.

I consider that very affordable. 

Lots of arthritis meds are covered just not that one. I finally got the plan finder to let me input drugs today. There is a generic for Arthrotec. That's why they aren't covering the brand. It's Diclofenac Sodium/Misoprostol.

Look for Magellan RX Medicare Basic PDP, plan number S4607. It covers Premarin and the generic Arthrotec. Monthly premium is $35.

[wvugurl26]

Nov 19, 2015 9:50:26 GMT -5 @patstab said:

I take the generic arthrotec, I will check that one out but I'm thinking its not offered in Indiana. I will search it now.

Thank You

I put in a zip code for Indianapolis when I did my search. No guarantee its offered in your zip code but they are somewhere in Indiana.

[wvugurl26]

Glad the plan worked out. I know trying to select a plan can be confusing. I work with it every day and trying to compare gap policies for my mom's husband is making me crazy.

[TheOtherMe]

When I turn 65 in October, my Part B premiums will be higher than that because I will not be receiving social security.  Still going to take it.  With my insurance, I am to sign up for Part A, which then becomes primary and the insurance I have from my former employer is secondary.  By signing up for Part B, I will have no co-pays.  All I will have to pay is the premiums and co-pays for prescriptions.  Right now, we do not have to use Part D.

[Ombud]

@patstab, you don't pay for Part A.

Why would your widow's benefit take a 25% cut?

[Blonde Granny]

OK, you don't have to fuss about referrals if you are on original Medicare and carry a regular supplement (regardless of what the AARP ads tell you). If a medical provider accepts Medicare, they automatically accept your supplement....in fact, the supplement gets billed and the paperwork sent to them only AFTER Medicare has paid the initial claim, and it is Medicare that sends the claim to the supplement company.

As for your widows benefit, I'm not sure I understand what you're talking about. DH and I both took SS when we turned 62 and we are the same age, he is 7 months older than I am. I had the necessary requirements to take my own SS, but it was far less than the 50% or so that I would received from taking mine on his SS record. If he dies before me (likely) I lose my SS payment each month and I would then receive his full payment each month instead. I will also lose his ENTIRE VA disability payments, which means I have a large size gap to fill in from our investments.

Once again, don't borrow trouble and don't make it so difficult for yourself.

on edit: if he gets into a wreck, the auto insurance would likely pay his medical costs.  Stop borrowing trouble.

[CCL]

Nov 21, 2015 16:00:00 GMT -5 Blonde Granny said:

OK, you don't have to fuss about referrals if you are on original Medicare and carry a regular supplement (regardless of what the AARP ads tell you). If a medical provider accepts Medicare, they automatically accept your supplement....in fact, the supplement gets billed and the paperwork sent to them only AFTER Medicare has paid the initial claim, and it is Medicare that sends the claim to the supplement company.

As for your widows benefit, I'm not sure I understand what you're talking about. DH and I both took SS when we turned 62 and we are the same age, he is 7 months older than I am. I had the necessary requirements to take my own SS, but it was far less than the 50% or so that I would received from taking mine on his SS record. If he dies before me (likely) I lose my SS payment each month and I would then receive his full payment each month instead. I will also lose his ENTIRE VA disability payments, which means I have a large size gap to fill in from our investments.

Once again, don't borrow trouble and don't make it so difficult for yourself.

on edit: if he gets into a wreck, the auto insurance would likely pay his medical costs.  Stop borrowing trouble.

Auto insurance may not cover much in medical costs. Ours is $5k. That won't go far. If it's the other guy's fault he might have more, but don't count on it.

[seriousthistime]

Nov 21, 2015 13:45:12 GMT -5 @patstab said:

We just want to make sure he has coverage, I will so that's one of us.  He said well a month

without wouldn't hurt, I says get in a wreck and tell me that, it could bankrupt us.

What about COBRA?  If he's covered by his employer now, and there's a gap before Medicare takes effect, he should accept COBRA coverage.  You can look this up, but my understanding is that within so many days of getting notification that COBRA is being offered (at an outrageous monthly price, of course) you have to let them know whether you want it or not.  If you do, the coverage starts retroactively from the first day you were not covered by your employer. So you can wait until the last day of the decision period to decide.  If no medical catastrophe happens in that time, don't take it.  If there is a catastrophe, pay the outrageous price for the months you need it.  Compared to paying for a medical catastrophe entirely out of pocket, paying for COBRA premiums out of pocket for a few months is much less expensive.

Again, check on this.  The regulations change all the time.  

[NastyWoman]

Nov 22, 2015 13:17:20 GMT -5 seriousthistime said:

Nov 21, 2015 13:45:12 GMT -5 @patstab said:

We just want to make sure he has coverage, I will so that's one of us.  He said well a month

without wouldn't hurt, I says get in a wreck and tell me that, it could bankrupt us.

What about COBRA? If he's covered by his employer now, and there's a gap before Medicare takes effect, he should accept COBRA coverage.  You can look this up, but my understanding is that within so many days of getting notification that COBRA is being offered (at an outrageous monthly price, of course) you have to let them know whether you want it or not.  If you do, the coverage starts retroactively from the first day you were not covered by your employer. So you can wait until the last day of the decision period to decide.  If no medical catastrophe happens in that time, don't take it.  If there is a catastrophe, pay the outrageous price for the months you need it.  Compared to paying for a medical catastrophe entirely out of pocket, paying for COBRA premiums out of pocket for a few months is much less expensive.

Again, check on this.  The regulations change all the time.  

   if I read it correctly you will have 60 days after loss of insurance to sign up and coverage will be active from day one of losing coverage. So if something big were to happen you would just sign up that very day and pay the hefty premium, if not -> you can keep that money in your " visit DGS" again fund.

Calling NomoreDramaQ1015 to weigh in since she has looked into this less than a year ago when she lost her job. She'll be able to confirm/refute my statements with more certainty.

[seriousthistime]

The COBRA premiums are a killer but are not financially devastating as a major health crisis would be. For short term coverage between one insurance coverage and another it can't be beat.  If you have a medical event within that 60 days and wish you had coverage, sign up for it.  If nothing has happened in that 60 days, don't sign up.    

[msventoux]

I don't have anything to add to the health insurance discussion, but that's a wonderful picture of you and your family @patstab. 

[resolution]

I love your new profile picture!

[Ombud]

Tried to paste it here but lost it. What it said was it takes 30-60 days to process Medicare applications. If that's true you won't need Cobra

[CCL]

I love the new pic and such a cute baby!

[Ombud]

I've hated quickbooks online since the September update. Hope yours isn't that version

[TheOtherMe]

Love your avatar, Pat!

[Value Buy]

Glad to see he's coming home.
When there was the attack on the Raddison Hotel, for some reason he came to mind, and I thought, with Africa the way it is anymore, it is not worth being there right now. 
I was sure he was not in Mali, but with workers travelling between countries for various reasons, you just never know.

Time for him to come home, and smell the coffee. 

[Value Buy]

Just realized, he can go to Florida with you.
Just make sure it does not become a Chevy Chase American Vacation!

[Value Buy]

Nov 25, 2015 8:42:29 GMT -5 @patstab said:

Looks like the SS wasn't accepted said some information was different, this

is so not good. It even asked if someone was helping you and I said yes.

Him trying to apply from there likely wouldn't work, we lose communication

a lot, guess I will try to call and see what it says I don't have the confirmation

number so need to see if we need to start over or what, damn. I'm going

to have this screwed up I guess.

No. it probably has something to do with the years working overseas, but as long as you have reported his income,paid taxes, even the IRS, Social Security Administration, as hard as they try, cannot screw it up. They just make it a little harder and a few more hoops to jump through. 

Question: I assume the company he works for paid into Social Security all these years......