Do you review your Medicare supplement

Rick, I want to thank you so much for the information you gave me on the phone today. To everyone on this forum...heartily recommend you contact Rick for a "second opinion" on your medicare health care related choices. He's a fountain of knowledge and this forum is lucky to have him in its arena!

Thanks again, Rick. So much appreciate it!

Ditto
 

We've gone back and forth with this before but it won't be Medicare for all, it will be MEDICAID for all. That way we all equally have terrible access to care.

Sure Dude, because that's exactly what has happened in Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Luxembough, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Russia, Serbia, Spain, Switzerland, United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Mexico, Peru, Hong Kong, India, Israel, Japn, China, Taiwan. Belgium, Greece. Right?
 
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Sure Dude, because that's exactly what has happened in Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Luxembough, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Russia, Serbia, Spain, Switzerland, United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Mexico, Peru, Hong Kong, India, Israel, Japn, China, Taiwan. Belgium, Greece. Right?
You missed Venezuela. You are aware that many of these countries are going bankrupt and/or cutting services? Denmark, Finland, etc. are going back to private insurance because they can't afford that much socialism. The UK has a terrible lack of doctors and nurses. Russia?

And please don't call me "Dude." It's a put down and not worthy of you. You might want to apologize.

Rick
 
Rick, wouldn't you have a bias against universal health care (medicare/medicaid for all) considering what you do for a living?

And, by the way, I have family in Austria that has universal health care and from all reports that they are being served and cared for very well. The only thing is my cousin went to Hungary to get tooth implants. Cheaper there. Only private dentists in Austria, from what I understand.
 
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Rick, wouldn't you have a bias against universal health care (medicare/medicaid for all) considering what you do for a living?

That would be a reasonable assumption but I'm quite consistent in my beliefs about all socialist programs. While I make a good living helping people with their Medicare choices I firmly believe it is unconstitutional. I see no authority for the federal government to provide medical care for anyone. But it is here and I do my best to help people make the right choice for them.

As far as healthcare being cheaper elsewhere once you factor in higher taxes and wait times the differential is not as great. BTW, I'm not opposed to the taxpayers providing catastrophic benefits which would reduce the cost of insurance (despite my Constitutional feelings).

The cool thing is (despite one person attacking me) we can have different opinions and still be friends.

Rick
 
Rick, wouldn't you have a bias against universal health care (medicare/medicaid for all) considering what you do for a living?

And, by the way, I have family in Austria that has universal health care and from all reports that they are being served and cared for very well. The only thing is my cousin went to Hungary to get tooth implants. Cheaper there. Only private dentists in Austria, from what I understand.

We have several members that live in countries with universal health care. Canada, Australia, and the United Kingdom that I know of. It would be interesting to hear their take on it. And if any of them would like to trade systems with us. I doubt many would.
 

Somehow my earlier post got all goofed up. It looks like it came up blank. Must have pushed a wrong button or something.

I meant to post that many people I know here have had a lot of trouble with everything Humana. AND I don't trust (and wouldn't buy) anything AARP sells. Just my opinion.
 
Somehow my earlier post got all goofed up. It looks like it came up blank. Must have pushed a wrong button or something.

I meant to post that many people I know here have had a lot of trouble with everything Humana. AND I don't trust (and wouldn't buy) anything AARP sells. Just my opinion.

I'm certainly not a fan of AARP's political stance. They backed Obamacare and then asked and received an exemption because "it's too expensive". However, unlike MA plans where each company can have different networks and copays, all Medicare supplements of the same letter are identical. So I use AARP (UHC) when they are the least expensive supplement for my customers.

Companies are not evil although there are some that go out of their way to increase rates dramatically (like Mutual of Omaha).

Rick
 
Well, I have a friend in Canada right now that is suffering - needing an abdominal hernia operation that her doctor has cleared her to get, but she told me she has no idea how long she will have to wait... when she can get it because its "not life threatening". No matter that she gets sick as a dog sometimes when she eats. Have heard that same thing about standing in line and waiting from other "universal" health care countries. Guess you just get used to whatever health care you have, when you have it!

Told her if that happened here in the US, there would be picketers lined up all around the White House...lol.
 
Well, I have a friend in Canada right now that is suffering - needing an abdominal hernia operation that her doctor has cleared her to get, but she told me she has no idea how long she will have to wait... when she can get it because its "not life threatening". No matter that she gets sick as a dog sometimes when she eats. Have heard that same thing about standing in line and waiting from other "universal" health care countries. Guess you just get used to whatever health care you have, when you have it!

Told her if that happened here in the US, there would be picketers lined up all around the White House...lol.

But it's "free."

I was diagnosed with an "incisional hernia" which caused almost no pain. But it would not get better. My surgery was scheduled almost immediately. I needed a hip replacement but pain was pretty well controlled with medication. I had the OPTION of surgery. I wonder if any government would love to pay for something not absolutely necessary.

We used to have the best system here until the government decided they know more than we do about our own health. Hence, Obamacare was born. Now everyone has high prices (without taxpayer assistance), higher out of pocket costs, and more difficulty finding doctors. But at least my 31 year old son can get a "free" breast pump.

Rick
 
Rick...its not free. Here's what one site says:

https://pocketsense.com/government-grants-people-klinefelters-12182418.html
Canada's health care system is often mistakenly thought of as "free." In fact, Canadians pay for health care through taxes, low monthly or yearly premiums, and in some cases, out-of-pocket payments for non-insured services. Under the Canada Health Care Act of 1986, Canadians have universal access to health care, irrespective of income, employment, status, age or state of health. The administration of most services is provided provincially however, and differs from province to province.
 
It's interesting how all the "experts" on how awful the universal health care sysytems of other countries are happen to live here in the US. While I have yet to hear an actual resident of those countries say that they think the US system is better than theirs. As I said earlier, I would like to hear from some of the forum members that are actual residents of countries with universal health care.
 
Actually I think you tend to get used to what you've had. I've had conversations with others in different countries and lets face it they don't live in the US, we do, so they aren't normally qualified to compare the two systems personally. Also think you get used to the system you've grown up with or lived with all your life so it is what it is. What I do hear is the drug costs can be an issue sometimes with them.
Ironic since Canada does ship cheaper drugs into the USA.

We had a business and had dealers in Canada. They often came across the border to get things "cheaper" and said the cost of living in
the US was less expensive overall than Canada. They used to sometimes complain when the dollar exchange wasn't in their favor - like we were supposed to charge them in their own money and not the USD for goods we manufactured for them?! I don't think so.
 
I've had conversations with others in different countries and lets face it they don't live in the US, we do, so they aren't normally qualified to compare the two systems personally.

Applying that same logic disqualifys anyone living in the US from comparing the two systems also.
 
Am not comparing them. Am repeating what I have directly heard from those living in the countries, a couple of which are very good
friends I've known for years. One is a "dualie" (that is a person who carries dual citizenship for 2 countries), she tends to get her yearly exams and medical issues taken care of here in the US.
 
Actually I think you tend to get used to what you've had. I've had conversations with others in different countries and lets face it they don't live in the US, we do, so they aren't normally qualified to compare the two systems personally. Also think you get used to the system you've grown up with or lived with all your life so it is what it is. What I do hear is the drug costs can be an issue sometimes with them.
Ironic since Canada does ship cheaper drugs into the USA.

Most people discuss their "feelings" about which system is better. Statistics show that wait times for non-emergency services are much higher elsewhere. Many times people just die waiting - again this is fact not opinion.

Drug prices are suppressed by the Canadian government. If USpharm companies don't comply Canada won't honor their patents. This causes consumers to pay more for medication here to make up the difference. (And I'm NOT defending big pharma - they are ripping people off). But I'm waiting for all the medical breakthroughs from Canada vs USA.

Yes, many people need help but it's not my responsibility to pay for everyone else. ANYTHING THAT REQUIRES THE LABOR OF OTHERS IS NOT A BASIC HUMAN RIGHT. Healthcare is a service, not a right.

(BTW, it's so much nicer on this forum now that I put one jerk on ignore. He should really be removed for his attacks).

Rick
 
But it's "free."

I was diagnosed with an "incisional hernia" which caused almost no pain. But it would not get better. My surgery was scheduled almost immediately. I needed a hip replacement but pain was pretty well controlled with medication. I had the OPTION of surgery. I wonder if any government would love to pay for something not absolutely necessary.

We used to have the best system here until the government decided they know more than we do about our own health. Hence, Obamacare was born. Now everyone has high prices (without taxpayer assistance), higher out of pocket costs, and more difficulty finding doctors. But at least my 31 year old son can get a "free" breast pump.

Rick

Maybe for you we had the best system, but not for those of us who weren't covered by an employer or government program. As a small business owner my (crappy) coverage was over $2500 per month for my husband and me - two people with no pre-existing or health conditions.

If Obamacare was so dreadful why didn't the president, Senate and House overturn it when the Republicans had majorities in all three places? I'll tell you why: because the previous system SUCKED far worse than Obamacare.

If our government hadn't become so ridiculously partisan and stubborn, Obamacare could have been refined as time went on, but instead of doing what a government is supposed to do, both sides dug in. That's really why we're where we are.

BTW, many foreign doctors don't pay the extraordinarily high tuition bills that US schools charge, nor do they receive extraordinarily high remuneration. Our system is broken on a lot of levels. A doctor I knew long ago once pointed at his medical degree and said to me, "Do you know what that is? It's a license to steal." I never forgot his words.

Get treated in a hospital and some doc that you didn't request and couldn't pick out of a lineup, supposedly pokes his head in your room, and you get charged $500 for his time - and have to pay out of pocket because he's out of network? Gimme a break.

I'm with Kaiser and can't imagine changing plans.
 
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Am not comparing them. Am repeating what I have directly heard from those living in the countries, a couple of which are very good
friends I've known for years. One is a "dualie" (that is a person who carries dual citizenship for 2 countries), she tends to get her yearly exams and medical issues taken care of here in the US.

I keep hearing the exact opposite from people living in those countries. In addition all the hard empirical data such as cost per capita, death rates, life expectancy, etc. is overwhelmingly in favor of the coutiries that have universal health care. No other country in the world expends anywhere near 17% of their GNP on healthcare. No other country in the world has anywhere near the rate of personal bankruptcies due to medical bills. The US system is failing tens of millions of it's citizens. And for 10's of millions of others like myself, who are not being failed, are tired of seeing so many of our fellow citizens being failed due to the out rageous and unconscionable greed of our Healthcare Industrial System.
 
Get treated in a hospital and some doc that you didn't request and couldn't pick out of a lineup, supposedly pokes his head in your room, and you get charged $500 for his time - and have to pay out of pocket because he's out of network? Gimme a break.

I know exactly what you are talking about. When my wife got admitted to the hospital last February we waited in the ER for several hours for "the doctor" to do whatever he or she had to do for her to be admitted. During that whole time I never saw this doctor. The only person I saw was a nurse. And then only a handful of times for a minute or two. Yet later when I looked at the bills from that admision, which my insurance paid almost all of, no less that four, count em four doctors had submitted bills for the time she was in the ER area. And they all got paid. For what?

And then during the time she was in the hospital the same thing. Although she only was seen by one doctor that I know of, and then only rarely, about six others came out of the woodwork from God knows where to submit bills. And they got paid too.
 
The reason the republicans didn't overturn in the 2 years they had the majority is because McCain hated Trump so much he was willing to screw the entire country by voting to keep it. Then he died. He wasn't covered by Obamacare. Plus the republicans have no "nads."

I was am still self employed. The insurance my wife and I had more than doubled in the years since Obamacare was passed. Our out of pocket went from $3,000 to $16,000. And I call BS on $2,500 for crappy health insurance. You either didn't shop the coverage or used an idiot for a broker.

Kaiser is an HMO. Many of us actually would like to have choices in providers. But if it works for you then great. As far as out of network, try to see a non Kaiser doctor.

Rick
 
Not going to argue politics with you, Rick. You and I obviously have very opinions of our government.

Try to see doctors out-of-network with any insurance provider. Don't forget your checkbook when doing so. The difference with Kaiser is that these docs don't wander into your hospital room and surprise you with a bill later.

I'm very happy with Kaiser coverage, thanks. They're non-profit, have excellent doctors, nurses and hospitals, and are highly rated by Medicare. They are my choice of provider.
 
Well, I have a friend in Canada right now that is suffering - needing an abdominal hernia operation that her doctor has cleared her to get, but she told me she has no idea how long she will have to wait... when she can get it because its "not life threatening". No matter that she gets sick as a dog sometimes when she eats. Have heard that same thing about standing in line and waiting from other "universal" health care countries. Guess you just get used to whatever health care you have, when you have it!

Told her if that happened here in the US, there would be picketers lined up all around the White House...lol.

A lot of people don't realize that we DO have to wait here for surgeries for non life threatening conditions. When I had my hips replaced (and they were so bad I could not walk) I waited several months to get on the schedule. You have to wait for a spot on the surgeon's calendar, and you also have to wait for an open slot in a suitable operating room.

I wanted the surgeries done by the surgeon I had selected, and he's very busy. He's very busy because he's the best in this area for hips and knees. I was willing to wait -- I suppose I might have been able to get it done earlier if I had been willing to have it done by whoever had the earliest time, but I wasn't. Maybe it wouldn't have mattered, because there are a finite number of operating rooms for orthopedic surgeries. And of course with a non life threatening procedure you are always going to be bumped if there's an emergency which takes precedence.

I guess it's like everything else -- you take a number and wait your turn.
 
Well, scratching my head over the "in network" and "out of network" doctors. As far as I know, with a medicare "supplement" you can go to any doctor you want to ...assuming they take medicare patients of course. We tend toward specialists...like we have a cardiologist who is basically our primary doc - as he does the intensive blood work and testing. I'm not understanding what an "out of network" doctor would be, maybe someone else here can explain, unless its a term pertaining specifically to certain "advantage plans"?
 


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