For anyone considering Medicare

[Really]

Making the Most of Medicare: What You Need to Know
July 18, 2024 - 12:00 PM EDT
Complimentary Online Presentation
Hosted by: R. Miller & Associates, a private wealth advisory practice of Ameriprise Financial LLC

https://www.ameripriseadvisors.com/team ... /event/41/

[chunkyfrog]

"We will only use the information you are providing to send offers we believe are relevant to you . . . "

It would be nicer if the presentation were available to view anonymously, like on youtube.
My info is already being used by enough of the wrong people.
I am actually considering a shredder attached to my mailbox,
because the junk mail far exceeds the "real" mail.

[Janknitz]

You can get FREE counseling about all the Medicare supplement plans available in your area, how much they cost, whether they cover your doctor and your medications, and anticipated out of pocket costs from your state's SHIP (State Health Insurance Assistance Program)--or in California it's called HICAP (Health Insurance Counseling and Advocacy Program). This is a federally funded program at NO cost to you, and they do NOT sell insurance or put you on the mailing list for other solicitations. As open enrollment approaches in November, they will give free seminars around your county, too.

You can find the number on the back of your "Medicare and You" booklet if you've already received it, or by going online to Medicare.gov.

When considering a Medicare Supplement Plan, if you are choosing an advantage plan (don't!) check to see if your CPAP machine will be on a capped or perpetual rental. Advantage plans can charge you monthly for LIFE.

[Sheriff Buford]

"We will only use the information you are providing to send offers we believe are relevant to you . . . "

It would be nicer if the presentation were available to view anonymously, like on youtube.
My info is already being used by enough of the wrong people.
I am actually considering a shredder attached to my mailbox,
because the junk mail far exceeds the "real" mail.

Shoot, Froggy, I went to medicare dot gov, to see if I could get a cheaper pharmacy plan, and right after I did, and I mean within hours, I started getting robo calls trying to sell me stuff. Beware!

Sheriff

[chunkyfrog]

"We will only use the information you are providing to send offers we believe are relevant to you . . . "

It would be nicer if the presentation were available to view anonymously, like on youtube.
My info is already being used by enough of the wrong people.
I am actually considering a shredder attached to my mailbox,
because the junk mail far exceeds the "real" mail.

Shoot, Froggy, I went to medicare dot gov, to see if I could get a cheaper pharmacy plan, and right after I did, and I mean within hours, I started getting robo calls trying to sell me stuff. Beware!

Sheriff

Sheriff, I wonder if you didn't accidentally click on a copycat site.
Yes, they are really sneaky.
I call SHIP every year--but I specify in person consultation. They usually steer me right.

[prodigyplace]

"We will only use the information you are providing to send offers we believe are relevant to you . . . "

It would be nicer if the presentation were available to view anonymously, like on youtube.
My info is already being used by enough of the wrong people.
I am actually considering a shredder attached to my mailbox,
because the junk mail far exceeds the "real" mail.

As part of being able to offer a plan, they are required to offer this “free information”

[prodigyplace]

"We will only use the information you are providing to send offers we believe are relevant to you . . . "

It would be nicer if the presentation were available to view anonymously, like on youtube.
My info is already being used by enough of the wrong people.
I am actually considering a shredder attached to my mailbox,
because the junk mail far exceeds the "real" mail.

Shoot, Froggy, I went to medicare dot gov, to see if I could get a cheaper pharmacy plan, and right after I did, and I mean within hours, I started getting robo calls trying to sell me stuff. Beware!

Sheriff

Both political parties and much of the government has turned into a huge marketing machine, abusing any personal information and selling it where they can. That is why you get a barrage of Medicare mail every year from private companies.

[Sheriff Buford]

"We will only use the information you are providing to send offers we believe are relevant to you . . . "

It would be nicer if the presentation were available to view anonymously, like on youtube.
My info is already being used by enough of the wrong people.
I am actually considering a shredder attached to my mailbox,
because the junk mail far exceeds the "real" mail.

Shoot, Froggy, I went to medicare dot gov, to see if I could get a cheaper pharmacy plan, and right after I did, and I mean within hours, I started getting robo calls trying to sell me stuff. Beware!

Sheriff

Sheriff, I wonder if you didn't accidentally click on a copycat site.
Yes, they are really sneaky.
I call SHIP every year--but I specify in person consultation. They usually steer me right.

I want to say I didn't, but who knows? I went to Medicare dot gov thru my online medicare account. Also, I'll sometimes humor myself and find out what they are selling. It's usually an advantage or retirement plan. I'll tell them I'm 30 years old, and they will hang up on me.

Sheriff

[chunkyfrog]

"30 years old"----
I may steal that.

[Pugsy]

"30 years old"----
I may steal that.

You will like this story. A while back my husband got a phone call (scam call) about "my" bill for a hospital stay
from 2 years ago. It was a scam for sure.
1...Neither I nor he haven't been hospitalized in years

2...when asked the name of the hospital he was told the name of a place/hospital that doesn't exist

So he likes to play with these scammers and this particular one calls about once every couple of weeks so my husband likes to yank their chains.
He now tells them that the bill won't ever be paid because it was supposed to enlarge his penis and it didn't so they promised something and didn't deliver.
This always prompts the scammer to have a long pregnant pause right before they hang up on my husband.

[MyIdaho]

(snip)
When considering a Medicare Supplement Plan, if you are choosing an advantage plan (don't!) check to see if your CPAP machine will be on a capped or perpetual rental. Advantage plans can charge you monthly for LIFE.

Hi Jan! You were a lifesaver for me when I started cpap therapy. Your article on how to tame the Mirage Quattro was exactly what I needed to adapt to cpap and avoid leaks. Thanks!

I think we have to very careful with a blanket "yes or no" relative to advantage plans. I have been on an advantage plan for three years through Blue Cross of Idaho and have been very happy with the plan. They did supply a new s10 for me with the terms clearly defined. Paid a very modest rental fee for only 11 months. You are correct, it is always wise to check the details in advance before signing up for an advantage plan. I live in a modest size city (70,000) that is the regional shopping center for a five county area. We have a large pool of doctors and three hospitals which helps with competition. BCI has a large share of medicare and non-medicare health insurance policies in our area. Lots of items will differ between locations and result in a yay or nay being the wise choice relative to an advantage plan.

[bwexler]

IF we get that far I let them know my birthday was in 1845. After they confirm what I said a couple times the line goes dead.

As to advantage plans I have used them successfully for 14 years. I do a spreadsheet every year where I attempt to determine my needs for the year, Doctor visits, DME, Labs, Glasses, Chiropractic etc. I have found the best plan this year may be not even in the top 10 next year.
I have even convinced my Advantage Plan to pay for 80% of the used ASV machine I bought last Thanksgiving. I only had to explain it would be less than their share of 2 months payments for a new ASV machine.

[prodigyplace]

IF we get that far I let them know my birthday was in 1845. After they confirm what I said a couple times the line goes dead.

As to advantage plans I have used them successfully for 14 years. I do a spreadsheet every year where I attempt to determine my needs for the year, Doctor visits, DME, Labs, Glasses, Chiropractic etc. I have found the best plan this year may be not even in the top 10 next year.
I have even convinced my Advantage Plan to pay for 80% of the used ASV machine I bought last Thanksgiving. I only had to explain it would be less than their share of 2 months payments for a new ASV machine.

Sharing the format of your spreadsheet columns may be useful to others here.

[bwexler]

My spreadsheet format is very simple.
Left column lists all of the typically covered items, as can be found at Medicare.gov. You can add in anything you like such as DME details (mask, headgear, filters, etc), Chiropractic, Dentist, Optical.
Next a column for how many of each item.
Then 2 columns for each plan being considered. One for cost per incidence, one for the annual cost. I total the annual cost columns at the top just below the name of the plan. That makes it easy to scan across The top of the page and choose the plan with the lowest number.
Be aware one company may offer several plans in your area. Also the "same" plan in different counties can vary dramatically, great here, terrible there.
Now it's time to dig into details are all of my practitioners and suppliers covered by the plan?

I find this takes the guesswork out of choosing a good plan.
In my experience the greatest plan one year may not even register for consideration the following year.
I also filter by my prejudices. For example Kaiser will never get a spot on my spreadsheet no matter who says the are great. I have had both personal and observational experiences with Kaiser of the past 70 years, that will keep them off my list.

[prodigyplace]

My spreadsheet format is very simple.
Left column lists all of the typically covered items, as can be found at Medicare.gov. You can add in anything you like such as DME details (mask, headgear, filters, etc), Chiropractic, Dentist, Optical.
Next a column for how many of each item.
Then 2 columns for each plan being considered. One for cost per incidence, one for the annual cost. I total the annual cost columns at the top just below the name of the plan. That makes it easy to scan across The top of the page and choose the plan with the lowest number.
Be aware one company may offer several plans in your area. Also the "same" plan in different counties can vary dramatically, great here, terrible there.
Now it's time to dig into details are all of my practitioners and suppliers covered by the plan?

I find this takes the guesswork out of choosing a good plan.
In my experience the greatest plan one year may not even register for consideration the following year.
I also filter by my prejudices. For example Kaiser will never get a spot on my spreadsheet no matter who says the are great. I have had both personal and observational experiences with Kaiser of the past 70 years, that will keep them off my list.

Thank you.

I am currently covered by my employer’s plan but expect to retire soon.