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Post by conniefromct on Jun 28, 2019 16:22:51 GMT
We both have regular Medicare with a supplemental plan. My understanding is that once you go on a Medicare Advantage plan, Medicare supplemental plans can refuse to cover you. We're happy with what we have and have had no issues. I'm guessing we pay more than with Medicare Advantage but then we never have co-pays and we seem to be seeing more specialists the older we get.
I was very impressed with Kamala Harris last night. I agree I think Biden's time has passed and I think he may have a hearing problem. Also it turned me off when they had the first show of hands about a topic and he lowered his hand so quickly (can't recall what the question was). I loved that Bernie brought up the trillions we're spending on the military industrial complex. I've been very excited about Mayor Pete for quite some time, and I LOVED his calling out the evangelicals, but overall, he seemed underwhelming last night.
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Post by nashville11 on Jun 28, 2019 16:25:43 GMT
If pharma did not make big profits it would impact R &D for new drugs. I don't have a problem with them making big profits. Every business has to make profits, and I'm all for that. But when you can buy the exact same drug in Canada or in Europe from the same manufacturer but at a much lower price than what you are paying for it in the U.S. there's something wrong somewhere. You know they aren't selling that drug in Canada or Europe at a loss. They're making a profit in those countries too, yet it is illegal for us to buy that drug in Canada or Europe as long as we are living in the US. At least I think I'm right about those rules for buying drugs out of the country. Maybe some of you who live near the Canadian border know more about that. Maybe Linda's pharmacist son might have a good insight on that as well.
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Post by nashville11 on Jun 28, 2019 16:31:40 GMT
I have become so disillusioned since this JA took office that sometimes it's hard for me to see the positives anymore which normally is definitely not my nature. In the past I would have classified myself as an optimist, or at least a pragmatist; but, now more and more I'm finding myself feeling pessimistic about our country and our citizens. So this excerpt from a FB friend this morning encouraged me in regards to the debates. "Many of these candidates made me feel we can not only defeat Trump and start repairing the damage he's inflicted, but we can address crises like climate change, health care, immigration and gun safety. I really didn't expect to be so inspired." (My FB friend) That encouraged me that she was feeling inspired. That's what we really need is a candidate who can inspire us once again. Kennedy did it and so did Obama, and that's what our country really needs again. We ARE better than this, but I have feared we were forgetting that.
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Post by nashville11 on Jun 28, 2019 17:08:30 GMT
Kamala says she misunderstood the question about private insurance, and that she would not abolish it. However, I thought I remembered her saying once before at a rally or something that she would do away with private insurance. Am I remembering that wrong?
"I am supportive of a Medicare for All policy, and under a Medicare for All policy, private insurance would certainly exist for supplemental coverage," she added on CBS. -- CNN website
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Post by amyrs on Jun 28, 2019 18:03:53 GMT
I may be luckier I have Medicare aND MEDICAID. I AM in a managed program thet pays for caregivers for my left leg that help dress and undress me and help me shower. 6 days a week. I pay no premium and just some copays 3 dollars for medications. But often no copays. the program also gives me free medical rides to appointments.
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Post by lani on Jun 28, 2019 18:05:48 GMT
nashville11, I just saw the same thing about Kamala vs. doing away with private insurance. Says she misheard the question during the debate.
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Post by lani on Jun 28, 2019 18:07:57 GMT
amyrs, I'm "liking" that you have adequate health care, not your health challenges. But you knew that.
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Post by luanne on Jun 28, 2019 18:11:41 GMT
I was being (sort of) funny about my Medicare experience. So far I have had to call on every claim as my Medicare statement keeps saying I have other primary insurance and Medicare is secondary - wrong. (I am covered under DH's Cobra for vision and dental, that is my secondary insurance). They tell me it has been corrected (again), always after the date of the claim, call your provider and have them resubmit. But I am admittedly being nit-picky about this. My real concern is the sheer scope of implementing this countrywide. I do feel that it should not be either or, there should be a private insurance option. I know, everybody hates the insurance and pharmacy industries. If pharma did not make big profits it would impact R &D for new drugs. There will always be gaming of the system by some no matter which system is in place. You said your secondary is the Cobra for vision and dental. Do you not have a supplemental plan for your medical? I do believe that Medicare is supposed to be primary, but then the supplemental plan is secondary. I know that I get statements from my supplemental plan showing they have made payments on various claims for me.
My other question about Medicare for all is...........how will it be paid for? Those of us who have Medicare do pay for it. It either comes out of your Social Security benefits, or if you don't have Social Security I guess you pay for it yourself. Mine is around $130/month. For some people even that is out of reach. Again, I'll need to see exactly what is laid out to get a better idea of what it is that is being proposed.
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Post by luanne on Jun 28, 2019 18:13:11 GMT
We both have regular Medicare with a supplemental plan. My understanding is that once you go on a Medicare Advantage plan, Medicare supplemental plans can refuse to cover you. We're happy with what we have and have had no issues. I'm guessing we pay more than with Medicare Advantage but then we never have co-pays and we seem to be seeing more specialists the older we get. I was very impressed with Kamala Harris last night. I agree I think Biden's time has passed and I think he may have a hearing problem. Also it turned me off when they had the first show of hands about a topic and he lowered his hand so quickly (can't recall what the question was). I loved that Bernie brought up the trillions we're spending on the military industrial complex. I've been very excited about Mayor Pete for quite some time, and I LOVED his calling out the evangelicals, but overall, he seemed underwhelming last night. You have either a Medicare supplemental plan, or a Medicare Advantage Plan. So yes, if you have the Advantage plan the supplemental plan would no longer cover you.
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Post by luanne on Jun 28, 2019 18:14:19 GMT
nashville11 , I just saw the same thing about Kamala vs. doing away with private insurance. Says she misheard the question during the debate. They were discussing this on MSNBC this morning. This is the second time she's backtracked on this issue. It could be that she misheard the question.
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Post by nashville11 on Jun 28, 2019 19:39:30 GMT
It concerns me that she's backtracked twice on that question. I would think if it was a slip-up once, she'd be extra careful about it the second time. Maybe ask for clarification of the question or something? Didn't it trigger something when she saw that only she and Bernie raised their hands? I'm not ready to go fully in for her, but then again as I've said repeatedly I will vote for WHOEVER gets the nomination. Just get this FM out of there! amyrs , if sounds like you have some good healthcare coverage and the Medicaid portion I am assuming is coming through your state. Am I remembering correctly that you are in Conneticut? I wish TN had something such as you are describing. I just try not to think about what is going to happen if my mom, who has severe Alzheimer's and is 100% dependent for all aspects of care, out lives her funds to pay for the nursing home. Medicare does not cover nursing homes unless you are there for rehab purposes, and then I think it's limited to something like 100 days. I am terrified and probably paranoid that I will have trouble getting her on Medicaid. I have nightmares about it sometimes, but I know I shouldn't "borrow trouble" so I just do my best Scarlet impression and "think about that tomorrow." I'm glad you have good coverage.
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Post by amyrs on Jun 28, 2019 22:28:00 GMT
Wisconsin Joyce I live in Madison
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Post by doordie50 on Jun 29, 2019 0:03:03 GMT
luanne, Paying for Medicare for All goes something like this; If all the stars are aligned and a single yellow flower is simultaneously touched in all four corners of the globe, a pale moon will rise, a rooster will crow, and all will be covered. It's so convoluted. It reminds me of Trumps tax plan - don't worry, the corporations will pass their savings onto their employees. All they did was buy back shares of their own stock. I'm thinking we'll get different answers from different candidates. I forgot to mention earlier that Mayor Pete also did a great job last night. Love him! So even keeled.
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Post by conniefromct on Jun 29, 2019 0:35:22 GMT
You have either a Medicare supplemental plan, or a Medicare Advantage Plan. So yes, if you have the Advantage plan the supplemental plan would no longer cover you. I wasn't clear. I meant if you change your mind and the following year you want to switch back to regular Medicare after being on an Advantage plan, the supplementals don't have to accept you. In most states, you will be subject to medical underwriting.
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Post by nashville11 on Jun 29, 2019 14:37:39 GMT
I forgot to mention earlier that Mayor Pete also did a great job last night. Love him! So even keeled. He is even keeled, and gives me a feeling of confidence when he speaks. I like that he accepted responsibility for what happened in SB, and that he didn't try to cover up but was very honest about not being able to get accomplished what he wanted in terms of race relations there. I don't think anybody expects that politicians are going to be able to accomplish all their promises. I think we all recognize that a lot of it is a dream to be worked toward. But I think most people are like me and want to be able to feel like we are being given the dignity of a truthful answer, and that while the "dream" may not get accomplished it will at least be a goal to seriously be worked toward. Mayor Pete might be able to inspire if given the opportunity, but I suspect that his opportunity is going to be further down the road. If he doesn't make it this time, I hope he will stay in the fight and try again because I really do like him a lot.
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