Help me pick a supplemental insurance to cover 20% after Medicare

Bump - I am trying to sort through this as well.

Ask me anything if you want, I'm an agent and will be happy to help....NOT a sales pitch!!!

Start at Medicare.gov KNOW what your priorities are in your particular life situation.

Be glad to help if you have any questions.

Ask me anything if you want, I'm an agent and will be happy to help....NOT a sales pitch!!!

Start at Medicare.gov KNOW what your priorities are in your particular life situation.

Be glad to help if you have any questions.

Ok thanks - I also need a plan with dental but do not want to wave the one year waiting period. I am in SE Michigan. My indecision has left me with straight Medicare the past 2 years.

Are you dense. Dental and optical are things elderly people need. They don't need cosmetics.


Hearing, dental and optical area absolutely necessary along with rides to/from medical appts. in case abilities go.

Bump - I am trying to sort through this as well.

Ok thanks - I also need a plan with dental but do not want to wave the one year waiting period. I am in SE Michigan. My indecision has left me with straight Medicare the past 2 years.

Always start on the SSA site and make sure every I is dotted and T is slashed.

Apply for Extra Help prescription help first.

Then go to the State and apply for Medicare. I know sounds stupid but trust me just do it.

You are looking for help in programs with Medicare part A and B costs mostly. If not you will need Medicare GAP help.

Also you can have a Medicare Supplement Part D and that is the website we are talking about for comparing.

And then you can add another Supplement that pays everything and you have no worries like AARP or Medicare Program Step Up.

I think I got this right. Correct me if I am wrong.

You can actually analyze (without actually applying)to see if you might qualify. They have tools on the website. Most do not qualify but as you say, there is no reason not to check.

BULLSHIT! I retired 7 years ago as a federal employee and carried over my high-option insurance... which I never used. Over the years they've gradually raised my contributory premiums until they are inline with other carriers - and I still have a $2,000 deductible. What most people don't realize is that there's a very good reason Medicare doesn't cover that 20% - it's for procedures/tests that most people will NEVER need... and that supplemental plans won't cover either until your deductible is fulfilled!

Most people are worried about high prescription costs, but FREE discount cards are available that drastically reduce those costs. Seniors are TARGETED by Doctors who use them as Guinea Pigs to test new, expensive drugs because they get a kickback from the pharmaceutical companies to do so; patients are actually acting as test subjects which save those criminals the costs of conducting their own clinical trials. In the process, your body is subjected to potentially toxic drugs they DON'T NEED while your Dr. prescribes more and more to take care of new symptoms you never would have had if you'd never gotten on that diabolical merry-go-round! WHY so you think in TV ads for new drugs there is always a long litany of potential hazards rattled off or in print you cannot read WARNING users of the risks? This is also why there are so many other ads for class-action suits for people who've suffered after taking them.

In the meantime, President Trump is fighting tooth-and-nail to reinforce Medicare and Social Security even though he's spent that past two years dealing with the pack of wolves that've been snapping at his heels to keep things just as they are.

I did extensive research before I retired and quickly discovered that most Medicare supplemental plans were a SCAM. They push vision/dental and many non-essential options in trying to suck you in with shit you don't really need like pet-walking services, gym memberships and home-meal deliveries... all things that the majority of people will never use. It's ALL about scare-tactics!!

Since my teeth were in rough shape, before I retired I had them all pulled and replaced with full dentures and I haven't needed to go to a dentist since [any relines I do myself with $5 home kits and they work just fine!]. There are many places that offer great deals for Seniors on Dentures or other basic dentla services - made even cheaper because Dentists that are in-network in those insurance plans charge three times more for their work!

At the same time I bought five pairs of glasses from an major online manufacturer whose name starts with a "Z". I'm lucky there, since my eyesight has changed very little in the past 20 years and I have a fairly stable prescription. Those glasses cost me from $40-75 pair [including bifocal, transitional lenses with the best coating available + snazzy frames]. It's been 5 years since my last eye exam and even though I don't need one, I'll get one this year just because. I still have three pairs I wear from my initial purchase and today there are several local companies offering similar deals... so again, that insurance coverage is NO bargain!

I just cancelled my federal employee coverage and will now just carry Medicare parts A&B; I'll take my chances on the 20% they don't carry, because -after all- that's what insurance is ALL about! Just like religion, you are gambling on something that is totally uncertain.

My results -as they say- may not be typical since I've always been blessed woth excellent health... mainly because during my life I HAVEN'T run to a Dr for every little thing.
They know -as I do- that given a chance your body will heal itself with very little external intervention and the introduction of toxic compounds [and ALL pharmaceuticals are TOXIC to some degree - if they weren't none would carry contraindicators!] that only make its job more difficult. EXAMPLE: when you break a bone, you have it set, put into a cast and your body does the rest. Just don't ever expect your Doctor to admit you don't really NEED him or his remedies! Instead you'd be far better of investing in a few good medical books - the MERCK manual is a good place to start since every Dr. has one in his office!

BTW: before you do your own research, be advised! If you go online to research the different supplemental plans [even those listed on the Social Security and Medicare official werbsites] after you enter your e-mail address you will likely get a phonecall back from a hotroom hustler within a minute or two after you logoff! I was amazed that I got one within FIFTEEN SECONDS of leaivng one website. The guy started hustling me immeidately using scare tactics by telling me I could did tomorrow without his fucking coverage. Needless to say, I gave him a few choice words of my own. FYI: whenever you get one of those calls, ALWAYS demand they remove your phonenumber form their calling list or you'll hear from them until you ARE ready for that Pine box!

IGNORE THOSE TV-ADS!!! There's a REASON you see so many on the air - because there are BIG BUCKS at stake for those companies!!!

No, no...no...that is nowwhere to be..not when you can get many of these plans for ZERO dollars. I know it sounds to good to be true but the way these companies are doing this is by going to the government, taking the monies we paid over all those years and the $135 monthly for Medicare part a and b and then take over adding all these additional benefits.

PLEASE tell me you do at least have BOTH part a and b!!! Medicare takes out $135 from your SS each month, right?

If so, give me your zip code and I will pull up plans for your area that are available. If you don't want to do that go here:

[link to www.medicare.gov (secure)]

and find the various plans for your area.

Also, if you have low income you may be able to get additional help. WE all paid for the stuff over our lifetimes...PLEASE take advantage of the benefits available to you.

Hell ya, I agree! Always check every program. But I apply, I want them to turn me down and get the letter. But also I got some I didn’t think I would get. Weird I know.

I am fifty one and was recently disabled due to an arthritic spine. I have no idea what any of the Medicare coverage means, I know they are taking 135 bucks a month out of my already pitiful check that I have to live on. Would you please advise me on what I should do? Does the money they are taking cover me? Thanks

I am fifty one and was recently disabled due to an arthritic spine. I have no idea what any of the Medicare coverage means, I know they are taking 135 bucks a month out of my already pitiful check that I have to live on. Would you please advise me on what I should do? Does the money they are taking cover me? Thanks

If you are over 65, on or going on Medicare, have an income under $1060 a month and limited assets then you probably qualify for Medicare/Medicaid QMB. If that's the case then everything in this thread is moot; you'll get all your medical covered for free.

If you are over 65, on or going on Medicare, have an income under $1060 a month and limited assets then you probably qualify for Medicare/Medicaid QMB. If that's the case then everything in this thread is moot; you'll get all your medical covered for free.

Not going to address all of this..just the last part about going to Medicare.gov and having some "sales person" call you after.... You can go there without an account...Medicare will NEVER have a sales person call anyone...EVER.

Actually this thread is not moot....there are what known as SNP-D plans for folks who receive both Medicare and Medicaid that ADD significant benefits to what they receive under the basic government coverage.

[link to www.cms.gov (secure)]

Yep you can get a SNP plan. A medicare/medicaid plan. Also may pay Part A and B and D for free, nothing out of pocket at all ever.

Ya, your like me. Read my posts ok.

You get child support taking out? Call SSA and get your kids Birth Certificate and get each child a check for half of your check and back pay ok.

When you say disabled do you mean legally disabled and receiving SS disability benefits? If so, you have would no doubt qualify for MEDICAID benefits.

[link to www.medicaid.gov (secure)]

Yes legally disabled and I do have Medicare.

If you're a disabled 51 year old you should be on Medicaid not Medicare and your coverage should be free.

You know I tried that with my kids but during the three years it has taken me to get approved they both turned 18. The worker told me that they would have to appl and that the money would go directly to them. I am ok with that, I am just ignorant about what the 135 dollars is covering. Is there a better way for that money to be used?

Not if disability income exceeds state poverty guidelines. People are given Medicare not Medicaid when put on disability.