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MBC and Going on Medicare soon, any advice.
Breast Cancer | Last Active: Mar 26, 2024 | Replies (50)Comment receiving replies
Blue Cross Blue Shield is a non-profit, at least according to the Internet.
My Medicare Advantage Plan does not require referrals. Imaging (not x-rays) requires pre-authorizations but nothing else.
Most people I know on regular Medicare have expensive supplements and Rx plans. Again, I pay $79/month for everything, it is a PPO, and in 7 years have not run into any problems with coverage. I have "more than 5 serious health conditions." so am not a light user.
Half of people over 65 are on Advantage Plans. Every hospital financial counselor advised me to be on this plan (4 in all). I cannot generalize from state to state or company to company. I am on MA BC/BS.
I think we just need to be careful about the information we post. My info is admittedly specific to state and plan. Let's be specific- and accurate- about our info. This is a big decision and we need to take care with our advice.
ps for me the annual cap on out of pocket was a big factor
Replies to "Blue Cross Blue Shield is a non-profit, at least according to the Internet. My Medicare Advantage..."
Supplemental to Traditional Medicare cost is directly linked to your reported income of the year before. I believe there are 3 levels. Add to that I pay a $240 Deductible once a year and $ 26.00 monthly drug plan ( Part D). I schedule an appointment with any nationwide doctor who accepts Medicare without any prior authorization.
This plan works well for me. I’m very happy that your plan works well for you. That said, I’m recently hearing , from friends and acquaintances, that their doctors are opting out of Medicare Advantage plans… many now corporate run “ advantage” plans are popping up and using only those docs in their system ( which can often be regional).
By buyer beware, I suggest checking in with your Medicare doctors and see if they have Medicare Advantage Plan exclusions. Nobody wants a surprise when it comes to medical bills!
Anyway… glad each of our different choices are working out for us. Thank you
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Supplemental to Traditional Medicare cost is directly linked to your reported income of the year before. I believe there are 3 levels. Add to that I pay a $240 Deductible once a year and $ 26.00 monthly drug plan ( Part D). I schedule an appointment with any nationwide doctor who accepts Medicare without any prior authorization.
This plan works well for me. I’m very happy that your plan works well for you. That said, I’m recently hearing , from friends and acquaintances, that their doctors are opting out of Medicare Advantage plans… many now corporate run “ advantage” plans are popping up and using only those docs in their system ( which can often be regional).
By buyer beware, I suggest checking in with your Medicare doctors and see if they have Medicare Advantage Plan exclusions. Nobody wants a surprise when it comes to medical bills!
BCBS MASS. Just paid an 11.3 million severance to one of their top people. It makes me wonder about non profit titles, which they absolutely state on their information.
Anyway… glad our choices are working for us. Thank you