Jo Shiner: Do you need a Medicare 101?

Discussion

September 16, 2009

Special to Area Agency on Aging

Anonymous The Joplin Globe Wed Sep 16, 2009, 02:12 PM CDT

How long has Medicare been serving your health needs? Are you someone just turning 65, new to Medicare and full of questions that seemingly have no right answers? Are you an old timer who knows what Medicare can and cannot do for you?

Medicare has a long history, signed into law by Lyndon Johnson in 1965. President Johnson issued the first Medicare card to Harry Truman. President Johnson did not live long enough to benefit from the Medicare system.

Medicare has made so many contributions to our health care that it is hard to keep track of all the benefits. The system has grown far beyond the early expectations. Along with additional services, the cost to each beneficiary has risen over the years by large amount. However, today, for your $96.40 per month, the benefits go on and on.

Every year in October, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services mails a copy of a booklet called “Medicare & You” for the next year. In this booklet, you will find answers to almost all your questions concerning how to use the system as well as complete listings of what you can expect Medicare to pay and how much. Your out-of-pocket expenses will be clearly defined. Also there are pages giving the new prices for the Part D Drug plans and the Advantage plans sponsored by Medicare.

When using Medicare for part B, you may purchase a supplemental insurance policy which will cover the 20 percent of what Medicare approves. Some years you pay more in premiums than you get in benefits and other years your claims will far exceed your premiums.

Many persons opt to carry no insurance and pay the 20 percent out of pocket. If you have been paying 20 percent most of your working life, there are no surprises. The supplemental insurance comes at a high price and covers the deductible of going to the hospital ($1,068 for 2009) and a small deductible for other services ($130 for 2009).

Medicare Part A, for no additional premium, covers almost all hospital charges. Part B, with a $96.40 monthly premium, covers office calls for doctors, most testing and a long list which is in the book.

Part C: Advantage plans which can replace supplemental insurance, provide drug coverage with co-pays for each service.

Part D: Drug Coverage in Missouri has 48 companies that provide Part D Drug coverage. Drug plans differ in coverage and cost. It is advisable to check all your prescriptions to see what providers cover all your drugs. This should be checked every year as plans change and coverage may also change.

Following are some experiences of your fellow citizens who are residents of the four counties served by this Area Agency on Aging, Barton, Jasper, McDonald and Newton.

A “sandwich” generation person in this office has been a caregiver for many years. Medicare enabled her mother to have doctors’ visits, tests and hospital stays without a financial hardship on the family.

An 88-year-old resident of Newton County had a double valve replacement in her heart. A very expensive procedure, all covered by Medicare and her supplemental insurance.

A Jasper County couple have been battling cancer for several years. Medicare has covered all the testing as well as numerous chemo-therapy sessions. Without Medicare, these costs would have sent them to bankruptcy.

To finish your small foray into the mysteries of Medicare, take a look at the box below reminding us all of the possibilities of taking a bite out of the cost of your healthcare. There is help out here… Let your AAA help you plug into it…

There you have it. Count your blessings and look forward to the best in 2010.

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Jo Shiner: Do you need a Medicare 101?

Special to Area Agency on Aging

Joplin City Manager Mark Rohr wants the city to distribute weather radios to all Joplin homes that don’t have one. That’s 11,000 radios. Do you think that’s a good use of $300,440?

Joplin City Manager Mark Rohr wants the city to distribute weather radios to all Joplin homes that don’t have one. That’s 11,000 radios. Do you think that’s a good use of $300,440?

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