healthcare/medicare plans

[judi]

Since I will be traveling for a year I called my healthcare provider/medicare advantage plan for information. Here's what I found out:
MODA - my medicare advantage plan insurer - I am fully covered in all states if I use a provider on the PHCS network. PHCS stands for private health care systems. If I see a provider not in the network I will be covered as under my plan for out of network. Canada or other countries I will be covered for emergency only, will need to pay up-front, and then file for reimbursement. Since I'm an RN and can usually tell if I need care I think this will work for me. Finding out that I don't need additional insurance is a big relief for me!

[mitch5252]

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Good news for you!
Now you can get sick with peace of mind!
Just don't get sick in Canada...better still - don't get sick at all.
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[judi]

OK my signature photo is GIANT!!! How do I make it the right size?

[VickieP]

OK my signature photo is GIANT!!! How do I make it the right size?

Squint?
Mitch will have to help you with that, I never can remember how. I'm a Doofus, ya know!

[judi]

And all this time you led us to believe that Mitch was the dufus.....
I'm going back to photobucket and try to do it that way.

[judi]

Success! I love it when I manage to follow instructions.......

[mitch5252]

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Okay, I hate to be a killjoy, but can you make it a tiny bit bigger?
I can barely see it...

And you're right, VICKIE is the Doofus, not me.
I always forget that you all don't know that.
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[judi]

Oh man...ok I'll try a bit bigger.

[etexlady]

Judi, you are so wise to double check your medical coverage before you take off on an adventure. Not entirely on topic but I dealt with a Medicare problem all day yesterday and just want to warn everyone: Please enroll in Medicare Part B when you become eligible! Yes, you have to pay a premium but, if you don't enroll and then decide you need it a few years down the road, there is a penalty for late enrollment that adds up in a hurry and you have to pay it in addition to the Medicare premium every month for as long as you have Medicare. The lady I was helping said she and her spouse didn't enroll because their health was good at the time and they believed their teacher retirement medical insurance would cover them but that has not been the case. So much misinformation out there. Be careful and check and double check as Judi has done.

[mitch5252]

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Call me dumb, but what is Part B? Is that the hospital coverage part?
I guess since I'm fast approaching THAT age, I should look into it more, so I reach 65 as an Informed Consumer Old Person...
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[judi]

There are lots of resources to help with medicare decisions. Here in Portland, and I'm sure everywhere, there are volunteer experts that will meet with you and make everything clear. And remember, you are eligible on the first day of the month that you turn 65 - for instance my birthday is on the 27th of my birthday month, but I was eligible on the first of that month. The advisor I met with also helped me choose a medicare advantage plan, and it has all worked out just fine.

[etexlady]

Mitch, I don't know of any one who would call you dumb - well, maybe one . As for your question, Part A of Medicare generally covers hospital care, skilled nursing facility care, hospice care and home health. Part B covers ambulance services, doctor visits, diagnostic services like lab tests, surgeries, durable medical equipment, and preventive services like flu shots, mammograms, etc.

[JudyJB]

Good reminder. There are some exceptions, however, such as if you are still working full time and have employer-provided healthcare equal to or better than Medicare Part B past age 65.

However, I think you still have to go online and fill something out, and be able to prove your situation. I worked full-time and got regular employer benefits until I was 69, so I did not apply for Medicare Part B, C, or D until after I retired just before my 69th birthday.

Also, it is a good idea to keep almost forever those documents that prove you had that employer-provided healthcare so someone does not later claim you were without coverage for a period of time. When you leave one insurance provider, they should send you a document that says you had coverage for such and such a period.