Facility fee?
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 45,880
Likes: 5,402
From: Loveland, CO
We went that route as well. $203.00 annual deductible for doc visits/tests, and around $1500.00 in hospital deductible. That deductible can kick in every 60 days and there can be other co-insurance charges for longer stays. If we had health issues, we'd upgrade to a better supplement which would be about $100.00/month more, and that can be done any time of the year, effective the next month. This is with Blue Cross of MA, not all plans offer upgrades during the year. You'd have to wait for open enrollment.
We pay $148.50/month for Part B with Medicare, approximately $100.00/month for the supplement. We opted for inexpensive Part D coverage as all meds are generics, if not we use Good RX or shop it around.
So for just over $250.00 each I'm not unhappy with our coverage at all, though there are doctors who don't accept Medicare and others who can send you a balance bill for what Medicare didn't pay, based on some kind of formula. However, as mentioned, meds can really be pricey, there is the donut hole and so many other issues if you get into the higher cost drugs. There are Part D plans that range from $ to $$$. Again, homework is required to see what works for you. However, compared to paying $750+/month for a single plan, which was my premium on COBRA, Medicare is a huge bargain!
Patricia, keep in mind the coverage has to start within a certain time from when you reach age 65. And no one should opt out supplemental coverage and Part D. If you don't purchase when eligible, there is a penalty when you do purchase, based on how long it's been since you should have purchased the coverage, and that penalty does not go away. It's yours forever. If you opt for Advantage plans there may be some drug coverage, and if you are covered in retirement by your previous employer, your options will vary.
We pay $148.50/month for Part B with Medicare, approximately $100.00/month for the supplement. We opted for inexpensive Part D coverage as all meds are generics, if not we use Good RX or shop it around.
So for just over $250.00 each I'm not unhappy with our coverage at all, though there are doctors who don't accept Medicare and others who can send you a balance bill for what Medicare didn't pay, based on some kind of formula. However, as mentioned, meds can really be pricey, there is the donut hole and so many other issues if you get into the higher cost drugs. There are Part D plans that range from $ to $$$. Again, homework is required to see what works for you. However, compared to paying $750+/month for a single plan, which was my premium on COBRA, Medicare is a huge bargain!
Patricia, keep in mind the coverage has to start within a certain time from when you reach age 65. And no one should opt out supplemental coverage and Part D. If you don't purchase when eligible, there is a penalty when you do purchase, based on how long it's been since you should have purchased the coverage, and that penalty does not go away. It's yours forever. If you opt for Advantage plans there may be some drug coverage, and if you are covered in retirement by your previous employer, your options will vary.
Thread Starter
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 65,340
Likes: 4,648
From: Smalltown
You are welcome. I was so done with HMO's. If one of us has medical needs which I feel would be better served by the hospitals/doctors in Boston, I don't want to have to ask permission to go there.
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 30,687
Likes: 4,733
From: Medina, OH
Last year I paid $144.60 for Medicare A & B, $147.34 for my supplemental insurance and $14.20 for Part D prescription. My deductible is somewhere near $5000 with no co-pay. My Part D was chosen so that I have no or very little co-pay. I use a broker to determine which plan is the best for me. We go over everything each year and make whatever changes that need to be made.
Now what really pisses me off is that because I am on "government plans" I cannot get drugs at reduced prices that the companies allow. When the +1 goes on Medicare in a few years she will have to pay full market price for her cancer drugs where now she pays very little due to the manufacturers assistance plan. What is wrong with our government that puts a restriction like that on us?
Now what really pisses me off is that because I am on "government plans" I cannot get drugs at reduced prices that the companies allow. When the +1 goes on Medicare in a few years she will have to pay full market price for her cancer drugs where now she pays very little due to the manufacturers assistance plan. What is wrong with our government that puts a restriction like that on us?
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 4,365
Likes: 1,336
From: Worthington, Ohio
And, these IRMAA charges are not necessarily small.
For example, the basic Part B premium for 2021 (with no IRMAA) is $148.50 per month per person.
However, it can go up to $504.90 with the highest IRMAA, per month per person based on income.
There is also IRMAA for Part D. It is on top of your other premiums for drugs. It ranges from $12.30 to $77.10 per month per person, based on income.
I really wish that we did not have to be on Medicare. However, our supplemental plan is through my husband's former employer, and we are required to have Medicare.
For example, the basic Part B premium for 2021 (with no IRMAA) is $148.50 per month per person.
However, it can go up to $504.90 with the highest IRMAA, per month per person based on income.
There is also IRMAA for Part D. It is on top of your other premiums for drugs. It ranges from $12.30 to $77.10 per month per person, based on income.
I really wish that we did not have to be on Medicare. However, our supplemental plan is through my husband's former employer, and we are required to have Medicare.
Thread Starter
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 65,340
Likes: 4,648
From: Smalltown
Last year I paid $144.60 for Medicare A & B, $147.34 for my supplemental insurance and $14.20 for Part D prescription. My deductible is somewhere near $5000 with no co-pay. My Part D was chosen so that I have no or very little co-pay. I use a broker to determine which plan is the best for me. We go over everything each year and make whatever changes that need to be made.
Now what really pisses me off is that because I am on "government plans" I cannot get drugs at reduced prices that the companies allow. When the +1 goes on Medicare in a few years she will have to pay full market price for her cancer drugs where now she pays very little due to the manufacturers assistance plan. What is wrong with our government that puts a restriction like that on us?
Now what really pisses me off is that because I am on "government plans" I cannot get drugs at reduced prices that the companies allow. When the +1 goes on Medicare in a few years she will have to pay full market price for her cancer drugs where now she pays very little due to the manufacturers assistance plan. What is wrong with our government that puts a restriction like that on us?
Registered User
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 7,401
Likes: 1,104
From: Napa
For example, the basic Part B premium for 2021 (with no IRMAA) is $148.50 per month per person.
However, it can go up to $504.90 with the highest IRMAA, per person per month, based on income.
However, it can go up to $504.90 with the highest IRMAA, per person per month, based on income.
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 45,771
Likes: 8,282
From: Mish-she-gan
Patty those summaries come from meetings with Via Benefits which I will explain in a minute.
We have been fortunate in that the corporation I spent my career with has always offered a good health plan. Auto companies and others in Michigan have provided more benefits but we have been happy with what we have. Perhaps because we both have been healthy.
Still my wife had a better plan through the county, one of the good Blue Cross plans so we used that till she retired. As a retiree we were covered by a really crappy Etna retiree plan.
Thankfully, a few years ago we had the option to pick the health insurance company we wanted as the backup to Medicare. Even more importantly we had the free use of a company called Via Benefits that offered the annual service of finding the best insurance for health, prescription, dental, vision or what you want depending on how much you are willing to sign up for and pay.
As Scoots mentioned we have plans where we can go to any doctor we want anywhere..... Univ of MI, Cleveland Clinc, or whatever. We have prescription plans that were individually chosen. For example, I don’t even pay co-pays for my blood pressure pills.
We have been fortunate in that the corporation I spent my career with has always offered a good health plan. Auto companies and others in Michigan have provided more benefits but we have been happy with what we have. Perhaps because we both have been healthy.
Still my wife had a better plan through the county, one of the good Blue Cross plans so we used that till she retired. As a retiree we were covered by a really crappy Etna retiree plan.
Thankfully, a few years ago we had the option to pick the health insurance company we wanted as the backup to Medicare. Even more importantly we had the free use of a company called Via Benefits that offered the annual service of finding the best insurance for health, prescription, dental, vision or what you want depending on how much you are willing to sign up for and pay.
As Scoots mentioned we have plans where we can go to any doctor we want anywhere..... Univ of MI, Cleveland Clinc, or whatever. We have prescription plans that were individually chosen. For example, I don’t even pay co-pays for my blood pressure pills.
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 4,365
Likes: 1,336
From: Worthington, Ohio
Here's an important tip for a few that it might apply to. When I retired, we also sold our home for a tidy profit, beyond the non-taxable allowance. The following year, our Medicare (IRMAA) went to the max. But because I retired, I was able to protest my spouse's increase and get her deduction back down to the minimum. (she retired at age 59). That saved us several thousand dollars. Remember this if you retire and get a large payout, or have to exercise stock options etc and find yourself in a similar bind.
Registered User
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 7,401
Likes: 1,104
From: Napa
Be glad the RMD is large enough to raise your medicare costs. Sounds like a great pension!
If you want, send me all your retirement income and I'll pay your taxes on it. (never had anyone take me up on my offer)
If you want, send me all your retirement income and I'll pay your taxes on it. (never had anyone take me up on my offer)