This is now the time of year when Medicare starts mailing out information on every HMO and PPO that Medicare covers. Everyday handfuls of information will be in your mailbox. Does it make Medicare more confusing?
If you do not understand Medicare Parts A, B, C, D, and G you will not understand Medicare.
Part A is free if you qualify and it is inpatient in the hospital.
Everybody pays for part B which is all out-patient services doctor, ambulance, lab, x-ray, etc.
Medicare Part A and B is fine but it only pays for 80% of your medical bill. You are responsible for 20%.1556.00
This is good for 60 days
After 60 days the charge is $1556.00
The truth is the best Medicare coverage you can have is Medicare Part G a supplement. This, of course, is the most expensive. But if money is no object you can sign up for Medicare Part A and B and G when you sign up for the first time.
You pay monthly for the supplemental plan plus part D drug coverage.
If you have been on other Medicare plans and want to change to a supplemental plan you will have to answer health questions and might not be approved.
Advantage Plan -C- You can change your insurance plan once a year. Each plan is different. You pick your primary care physician, you get a referral to go to a specialist and authorizations for surgery, etc.
If you do not have extra money to spend on your Medicare plan and HMO plan is the cheapest way to go. The only thing is if you are hospitalized then it becomes expensive.
PPO is another option it costs more than an HMO but it does have some advantages.
No matter what you decide it is complicated. Medicare makes it that way to confuse the public. My book Medicare and Other Health Plans explains Medicare and it is something everybody needs to know.
Thank you for reading my article. Linda Meckler www.lindameckler-author-artist.com