Social Security

[etexlady]

Please be careful. Medicare "supplement" policies are also known as "medi-gap" policies. These policies fill the gaps that Medicare does not pay such as when one is admitted to the hospital, etc. There is another kind of Medicare policy called an "Advantage Plan" and these type of policies are usually sold by big insurance companies such as Humana, Aetna, etc. These policies are sometimes referred to as replacement policies in that they replace Medicare. I even had an insurance salesman tell a lady who had just enrolled to throw her Medicare card away! These policies are not "supplements" to Medicare but a replacement of Medicare. If you decide to enroll in one of these replacement policies, read, read, read the small print and read it again. Most important be sure your doctor accepts it. I work with a home health agency and I cannot tell you how much time I have spent with our patients trying to help them deal with these replacement policies. These poor folks were promised everything to get them to enroll and now they are stuck with it for a year and cannot get the care they need. Just be careful. End of rant.

[oregonrambler1]

Thank you etexlady .. I will remember your words, the key phrases being 'oh, throw away your medicare card', or 'replacement policy' or something of the sort. It's a wonder anyone can navigate and understand small print. I'm just really hoping that by the time I'm 65 insurance will be simpler than today. I'm a real optimist. In the meantime though .. I will remember your words of caution and may not jump into any supplemental or replacement plan at first.

[snowball]

I had always just assumed that when DH died I'd get his SS boy was I shocked when I went to SS after he died to find out that cause I was not yet 66 wouldn't get his full SS and if I signed this paper I never would get it all...but it's like I was between a rock and a hard place as the retirement was cut in half and no way can I live on less than 900 for the month had to have the ss even if it was lower...and it doesn't increase when you reach that magical number...
as to supplemental went with AARP one of there programs and so far it's been good when he was released from the hospital into hospice care all of it was covered by medicare took away a lot of stress
sheila

[JudyJB]

Good rant! You did a better job of explaining it than I did.

I have a Medigap plan (Part C) that really does supplement Medicare Parts A and B, so I get to keep them AND my Medicare card. It is very confusing, so make sure you ask a lot of questions and even get help from someone who can work through the fine print with you.

[lak99]

Sheila,

I, too, am widowed. And I was only 52 at the time. I took widow's benefits the
minute I qualified. But two things will happen. You WILL get any increases that
SS allows most years. The other thing is if you worked and your own SS becomes
more than his at any point you can switch and take yours.

Like you, I took what I could get because I needed it.

[etexlady]

Just remember, Medicare + Medigap (supplement or Part C) + Drug policy (Part D) is typically the best (albeit not the least expensive) set up for most people. Not all of the Advantage or Replacement plans are bad but don't go into one without thoroughly understanding what it covers and what it doesn't and how that will affect your particular circumstances.