I just started medicare in April and so far I'm satisfied with what I chose. It was a a nightmare leading up to it but finally my mailbox isn't full of insurance company ads all looking like official medicare mailings. I knew I wanted to keep my doctor and go to the best hospital in Fresno but besides the $127 monthly that's deducted from my widows benefits for Part B, I didn't have much to spare for a supplemental. My Dr. Recommended A company they use a lot and it's also taken at St. Agnes Hospital. It's a PPO but it has all I need and the cost is $0. So far I've saved about $200 a month in Dr bills and meds. I'm already ahead even with the $127 Deducted. Anyway, my wellness test starts in July with an EKG and a urine sample. I also have to have bloodwork done, many tests that I couldn't afford before, so I may call medicare and make sure they are all covered. Is this something those of you on medicare already had to do?
They will do one of these wellness checkups for you every year, at least that is how it works out here in Alabama. The doctor know which tests are supposed to be part of the checkup; so you should not have to worry about them doing anything that is not covered. They may want to do a colonoscopy and a mammogram, an eye test, and a bone density test. We have a medicare advantage plan through Cigna Healthsprings, and it covers medications, and also includes a fitness center membership. If you are interested in that, you might want to ask your agent if it is included in your plan, too. We also have a little booklet that we can order about $25 worth of OTC stuff, like cold meds or aspirin, things like that. I always forget to use mine; but it is part of the program.
That's what I'm going through right now. I turn 65 on August 16 so I am still trying to decide what to choose.
Yes, my dr mentioned those tests also...but think she said stool sample instead of colonoscopy, at least I'm hoping that's what she said. I get $50 a month for OTC but I haven't ordered anything yet, just looked through the catalogue and noticed things were priced high so won't get as much as I would at Walmart but at least it's free. I didn't see the fitness thing mentioned but if I do want to join a gym, I can pay with what I saved. I used to belong to GB3 here in Fresno and think I could get my membership back for $20-$30 a month. They are building one even closer to my house so may consider it.
Good luck, Ken....you will need it. It's not easy and there are so many choices and decisions to make. I based mine on money for my supplemental. Most can be very expensive, I was lucky that my Dr took the PPO. I think it's called Care1st or something like that.
Yes, you'll have to find one that suits your needs as they do vary in what they cover and cost. Is your wife on medicare yet or is she younger? My copays are very small with my PPO and I'm happy at the moment but who knows what the future holds and how my needs will change.
She's a few years younger. My main concern is that I have a plan that is accepted by local medical facilities so that I don't have to drive seventy miles to Bangor to see a doctor, as some people here do, and that I have a reasonable deductible so that I can afford to see a doctor when I need one. At this point, the only prescription medication that I'm taking is Crestor so a barebones prescription plan would be sensible, as long as it fits the requirement so that I don't have to pay a penalty later.
Yes, that would be a top priority with me. I have drs close but I've been going to this one since I moved here 13 years ago and I didn't want to switch, so when my Dr was talking to me about medicare, she mentioned them. She's about my age and very understanding and she knew my financial concerns, so in a way she made the choice for me which so far has been the best one. My meds before medicare weren't that expensive except one that was $88 a month and now I paid $3.33 for that one.