Here's How Much We Paid With Medicare | Medicare Supplement vs Advantage

[@Theretirementnerds]

2 minor corrections: The 1st Part A - Medicare paid amount should show $8,000 - not $7,000. A note comes up as we write it. Luckily, this number is not consequential for the purpose of the video. 2. The date on the final picture should say: 1953 - 2024 Thank you!

[@Matlockization]

I didn't know where this video was going, but I'm glad that your costs were relatively minor. I'm sorry for your loss. Diet is important. What are your thoughts about the Burzynski’s cancer clinic ?

[@goodlucking244]

I’m so glad to hear your mother succeeded so long while having cancer as a potential part of life. Thank you for sharing your family’s personal example as a clear view of a particular case and how things work under different coverages and plans.

[@debbiedebbie9473]

I'm sorry for your loss. Thank you for the information.

[@jenatsky]

Why didn’t you cover MC Hospice coverage? You’ve painted an incorrect picture to viewers!

[@Theretirementnerds]

@@jenatsky she wasn't on hospice until the final hours of her life. As in... 3 hours.

[@scot60]

I’m sorry about your mom. She was a brave soul to battle cancer for so long. God bless her memory and those she leaves behind.

[@Theretirementnerds]

Thank you 🙏

[@braincramp1000]

Having just retired and signed up for Medicare I researched Medicare extensively. This is the best video I've seen. It makes everything very clear.

[@Theretirementnerds]

Thank you so much! So glad it was helpful!

[@cgilleybsw]

seriously? I'm not criticizing the video, but this is not "care" in any sense of the word. This is government malfeasance.

[@lindamacfarland8468]

I agree totally about this video! I just finished signing up in March. I'm just seeing this video today. I'm accomplished with my Medicare choices and this video confirms. I will use this video to show friends and family that I assist in their medicare choice.

[@c.m.303]

@@lindamacfarland8468 Just make sure you look into those advantage plans if that is what you picked...they have thousands of complaints of refusing to treat patients. They get X amount from medicare for each person, and it's all profit if they don't have to pay for care. It's a horrible experience if you have an emergency and find out they won't approve services and you'd have to get them to "release" you if you find out the hard way and want to return to original medicare. But they just can't seem to find that request.

[@bwhiteman1]

I agree with you, the very best video. RIP peace dear mom......

[@BillGreenAZ]

I had heard of people going bankrupt due to medical bills even after having Medicare. This presentation showed me how having supplemental insurance on top of Medicare could help me prevent that from happening. This is the best presentation on how to avoid this that I've ever seen.

[@Theretirementnerds]

Thank you so much!

[@Timeless80]

You cannot go without a supplement.....you'll lose the house...

[@RobinRockefeller]

Having already gone through surgery to remove my cancer and then chemo only to have my cancer return. Then a stronger chemo drug and five days a week radiation treatments. After a year that ended. Then monthly checks and finally remission. But not cancer free. The tumor us still there,it's just no longer growing.Then find out I have muscular dystrophy. And of side effects from the chemo and radiation treatments. Fun when you have neuropathy in your legs and muscular dystrophy. Just turned 65. I will most certainly be getting a supplemental plan.

[@debrabolton7748]

We lost my mother on Christmas Eve 2021, ending an 8 month battle with cancer. We went through chemo, transfusions, and hospital stays nightmares all during this fight. The doctors never gave us the true facts on her condition. They kept giving us hope that she would recover up till the very end. My heart goes out to you and your family.

[@Theretirementnerds]

Thank you, Debra! 🙏

[@H2SO4H20]

Medical science is not exact and the power of hope not understood. My mother was told in her hospital room in my presence that she had at best six months to live due to colon cancer. She instead lived another 20 years during which she survived hip replacements, shoulder surgery and breast cancer (twice) only to die of heart failure in 2021 at age 95. She might still be alive if she had gotten the heart valve replacement she wanted but she was excluded because of her age.

[@dr.nigelcool3771]

It's a terrible shame, something similar happened to my dad. I don't think the doctors are deliberately trying to do excessive treatments and surgeries just to make a buck, but there is always some pressure to bring in more money, and this has to influence their decision-making at least subconsciously.

[@whodidit99]

@@dr.nigelcool3771 Yes they are. The more they intervene the more money they make.

[@Riprazor]

First, I am very sorry for your loss. As a 63 (as of this month) semi-retiree, I have been searching for a video just like this. I am sending the link to a dozen of my friends who have been looking for something like this as well. I cannot tell you how much I appreciate all the work that must have gone into this during a very difficult time.

[@Theretirementnerds]

Thank you so much for watching and sharing ❤️ Your kind words mean a lot 🙏

[@eleonorabartoli2225]

Yes, this video was great. I signed up last month with Original Medicare and a High Deductible Plan G: the broker I went to never mentioned it but it was on the Medicare site for my state and I first heard about it in YT videos like this.

[@tioswift3676]

@@eleonorabartoli2225 Probably because there’s no point to have a HD plan, it makes no sense.

[@eleonorabartoli2225]

@@tioswift3676 It is actually because the HD plan premiums are much lower(around 40$) than the G plans (around 175$), so the broker commission is much lower. My liability is limited at about 2800$ a year and I have money for food to keep me healthy. It makes perfect sense to me.

[@eleonorabartoli2225]

@@tioswift3676 Actually, it is because the premiums are so low that the brokers do not make much in commission. HD plans make A LOT of sense for people who do not have an extra 200$ a month but who still want to be protected from impossible to pay bills. My HD -G plan premium is about 40$ a month and gives me a maximum out of pocket liability of 2,600$ a year. You need to inform yourself!

[@64intrepid]

This must’ve been a very difficult video to make.I admire you for still wanting to help people with this information it had to be a little painful.

[@Theretirementnerds]

It's been almost 2 months. Keep everything together pretty well until I see those pictures or random things will trigger memories. I'm glad she's not suffering anymore. Will always miss her. Thank you for watching and taking the time to write your comment 🙂

[@donreinholz8121]

So sorry for your loss. Excellent video. Cancer sucks. God Bless.

[@saraw112]

I’m sorry for your loss. Thank you for this info.

[@tonydugal5275]

My condolences about loss of your dear mother. Thank you for sharing her Medicare information as a teaching opportunity. Your videos are among the very best, as you present with clarity and authority.

[@angeli1332]

My condolences on the passing of your Mom. 🙏 Thank you so much for taking the time to make this video. Its really helpful. New subscriber here.😊

[@cybergal99]

Wow, this is one of the best pre-Medicare videos I've seen. I'm 64.5 and 6 months away from Medicare and this was EXTREMELY useful!! Thank you!

[@Theretirementnerds]

So glad it was helpful! Thank you so much for spending some time with us!

[@kennethward4985]

If you have any serious illness, then get the G plan. I pay $ 203./month but almost nothing else. Plus I can see any doctor I wish.

[@anthonymedeck7081]

@@kennethward4985 You actually pay $380.00 per month because of part B taking their cut out of your SS. Wish someone could track where the billions go that come out of everyone’s SS for that part B cost. Around 11 billion is taken in from that part B rape of our SS.

[@Mickey-jn8hz]

After 2 visits to hospital and an operation for bowel cancer…my mother in law started to have pain after…she was told her cancer had returned. She refused more interventions and chemo. Not very long after she went to an end of life facility and passed away peacefully under pain medication. I believe that once there is really nothing they can do except pile on expenses…it is Ok to put a stop to all extra expenses especially for people that do not have all that extra $ to pay. May God rest her brave soul, I truly miss her but she did the right thing.

[@Theretirementnerds]

So sorry to hear this. A part of me wishes my mom would've pursued a similar fashion and avoided the problems with treatment.

[@richardlarson2969]

I am sorry your mother in law had to go through that but I am happy that SHE made the decision on her end of life pathway, not some algorithm constructed by an insurance company.

[@daveshoemaker7137]

@@richardlarson2969 When you get to know your body you know what you can survive and what you won't do! The night my mother was in a coma dying 2 Neurologists came in to examine her and left and said we'll be back tomorrow! My sister said I'm going home because I'm tired! The nurse came over and said where's your sister? We said she went home for a while! She said call her to come back it's getting close now! Those doctors just wanted to get their charges in before she died! I told my sister to report them but she didn't!

[@texaszag8748]

Another elephant in the room is that the advantage plan typically requires the private insurance (advantage provider) preauthorize treatment and increasingly cap treatment based on algorithms that in many cases disadvantage the patient. This caveat cemented my decision to pony-up for a supplement plan and just budget for those premiums.

[@papacharlie-niner148]

100%. The Prior Authorization (PA) requirement for Advantage will be a deal-breaker for me. Nobody should have to play Russian Roulette with their health and that's what the PA system is. People have died from routine PA denials. Only eligible medical treatments are covered by the OOP max, and guess who gets to decide what is eligible or not? The insurance company. Kafka himself couldn't have come up with a more absurd conflict-of-interest setup.

[@texaszag8748]

@@papacharlie-niner148 It’s quite sad here in the US that in so many cases we have the fox guarding the henhouse. You can see from the way capitalism in the US works that the system was always rigged for the capitalists.

[@MaryC-ug4pf]

@@papacharlie-niner148 I've had an Advantage plan for over 10 years and have never been denied a single thing. I went through stage 3b colon cancer treatment.

[@NoSpam1891]

If you think Advantage is good look up Clover Health.

[@MJFisher76]

The MA plan would deny the approval 1-2 months after hitting the max out-of-pocket.

[@easternacademy]

With original Medicare, it's much easier to determine what will be covered. There are no guarantees with the prior authorization process. Although there are new rules to speed the process, imagine the stress of having to wait for the determination and the real possibility of denials and appeals. I worked in healthcare for 50 years. I've seen what that added stress does to the healing process. When I went on Medicare, it was a simple decision based on eliminating for-profit insurance companies from my healthcare decisions.

[@tombkk1322]

Did you have a supplement plan G?

[@tioswift3676]

Supplement plans are for profit insurance companies.

[@Kiskadee8388]

I'm glad you wrote that ! I saw my Mom struggle with worry about her medical care with her HAP when she was sick. Worried about losing her insurance if she went outside her plan even when I paid out of my pocket to get her 2nd opinions. Her worrying about her insurance status wasn't conducive to her getting well. Stressful for everyone in our family.

[@buggsy5]

Supplement plans make their money from monthly premiums plus whatever your OOP maximum may be. The advantage plans make a lot of their money out of denying care, which they know most people will not fight. Both types of coverage are provided by for profit insurance companies. @@tioswift3676

[@buggsy5]

I think that out-of-network bills plus possible denial of care are the two major fears of people on advantage plans.@@Kiskadee8388

[@1man2many]

Thank you so much for doing this comparison. I was caught by a Kaiser Advantage plan Oct- lot of diagnostics, no hospital stays and hit my MOO of $6500 with MRIs + biopsies. As you say MOO reset with the calendar year and I got another hit up to MOO. Thankfully- at the end of it all: there was nothing 'wrong' with me, just inflammation! And it left me $13,000 poorer! I still think it is criminal that 70 year olds are supposed to 'figure out' their best gamble. Maybe if ALL public office holders were limited to original Medicare coverage, things would change.

[@Theretirementnerds]

Thank you for sharing your experience. Happy to hear you are ok. Sad to hear the cost 😳

[@kristiG5259]

Pay $25/month.

[@cgilleybsw]

explain please @@kristiG5259

[@cgilleybsw]

completely agree with you. Put those SOBs on Medicare as long with the entire federal workforce.

[@c.m.303]

@@kristiG5259 Great solution, I hope this person reads this comment!

[@canadiangirl]

My husband is battling Cancer in Canada. He is also 70. So far we have been charged $45.00 for an ambulance which I can claim on my income tax. He has spent 3 weeks in hospital so far, has had ultrasounds, MRI’s CT Scans, radiation and chemo treatment.

[@Theretirementnerds]

Thoughts and prayers headed your way 🙏 Hope all goes well and thank you for sharing!

[@johnl5316]

The gove can can put him down for free in Canada

[@paleghost]

@@johnl5316 under an advantage plan they could decide not to approve the treatment or stall until you died. I was in London UK recently and was treated by their national health plan for pneumonia. I cannot overstate how much better the level of care was compared to the US. At my local hospital I'm lucky if I can get through the checkin paper work within a couple of hours. At Queens Hospital in London all they needed to see was my passport and I was being treated by a Doctor within 20 minutes. As I was checking out of the hospital I asked how I would be billed. No charge.

[@CraftEccentricity]

No you haven't. You and others have paid taxes all their life to cover it. So, how much have you really paid?

[@Vicki1930]

We are so fortunate 🇨🇦and now basic dental . Great legacy from Tommy Douglas 👏 🇨🇦

[@douglasvoncannon3073]

Clear as mud. Insurance has always made my head spin.

[@utubeisboobtube]

Overall insurance is a corrupt system that they have leveraged into everyone's life. When they are good, they are good, but they make many poor choices at the altar of greed.

[@christopherg.115]

@@douglasvoncannon3073 This was actually well done. Slow down the video. If you have to it’s pretty clear.

[@1bluensx]

Thank you for doing this video. I am a 55 year old physician. I graduated when I was 25. So…. Yea, 30 years in medicine. I still have zero idea how this works. None. I worked as an hourly salary employee all of my life. I don’t think any of us understand Medicare. This is why we all get taken advantage of. Even with horizon, I was turned down on so many things that were approved, only to then be denied. I was sent to collections, and argued for 2 years, before breaking down and paying. It’s so corrupt.

[@Theretirementnerds]

Thank you for watching! It's a very complicated system on all levels and each silo blames the other so it seems to be getting worse.

[@GordonMillar-q4q]

I’m 72 years old and retired, live in the UK, in Jan 2019 I had an MRI scan which showed tumours in my spine. After various tests I was diagnosed with Solitary Plasmacytoma of the bone and Multiple Myeloma. They gave me radiotherapy daily for five weeks this was followed by keyhole surgery to clean the tumour from my vertebrae, and injecting orthopaedic cement into my vertebrae to repair it. After this I had five months of chemotherapy, this was followed 5 months later by a stem cell transplant in December 2020 which required a 4 week inpatient stay in hospital. Since then I have to take low dose chemotherapy daily and have been in remission ever since. Due to our healthcare system in the UK I have paid nothing for my medical care other than our usual taxes.

[@ChatGPT1111]

So is your purpose in commenting on the U.S. healthcare benefits to gaslight all of us? Isn't there a U.K. Channel you can troll?

[@jmash7751]

@ChatGPT. Goodness! A little touchy, aren't we? There is nothing wrong in his pointing out the obvious lunacy of the American healthcare benefit system.

[@herrickinman9303]

@@ChatGPT1111 You're the troll, and you're misusing _gaslight._ According the Merriam-Webster, _gaslighting_ is 1) psychological manipulation of a person usually over an extended period of time that causes the victim to question the validity of their own thoughts, perception of reality, or memories and typically leads to confusion, loss of confidence and self-esteem, uncertainty of one's emotional or mental stability, and a dependency on the perpetrator. 2) the act or practice of grossly misleading someone especially for one's own advantage. It is a fact that our healthcare system in the U.S. is the most expensive in the world, but not the best. Let me guess. You're a Republican, you voted for Trump in 2016 and 2020, and you're going to do it again in 2024.

[@ChatGPT1111]

@@jmash7751 If we includes you, you are 100% right. So I suppose you're another foreigner who has no problems. Why do we have to pay for your defense and security? Because you're too pussified to hold a weapon, boo-hoo. Get a life.

[@shadowguard3578]

@@ChatGPT1111​​⁠what a bizarre comment.

[@mpare49]

By contrast, my wife lived with stage 4 ovarian cancer for 8 years. During that time, she received countless amounts of chemo at excellent hospitals in Ontario, Canada. Her care and the various drugs extended her life well beyond her projected life expectancy. The only expenditures for which we were responsible were the hospital parking fees.

[@rb239rtr]

Ontarian here, A fellow Ontarian emigrated to USA with her husband- at 60 she was diagnosed with terminal cancer. Her insurance company refused to pay for anymore treatments due to the terminal nature. Her oncologists believed with good care, she would have 2 or 3 years of quality living. She hired lawyers, sued her insurance company to continue treatments that although won't save her, will giver a couple good years of life. So now she is in palliative oncology care, covered by her thieving insurance company, enjoying the start of a second year of EOL. Why so many people want this system in Canada staggers me.

[@os2958]

@@rb239rtr Agree. Imagine if someone did not have the money for lawyers. The corporations are very good at marketing and persuading people

[@chelsea_1961]

Because Canada protects its citizens from being gouged by the wealthy class.

[@tapps1010]

@@rb239rtr Usually comes down to "sticking it to the libs" idiocy.

[@commonsense6967]

@@tapps1010Actually, it comes down to having choices, and the ability to be seen far more quickly for cancer diagnosis and treatment than in most socialized medicine countries.

[@tripflycfi]

I just subscribed to the channel. I have watched three of your videos and then was presented this one by YT. This is such a powerful video. Your mom is helping so many other people and you are continuing her tradition- right now, we need folks like you and her more than ever. Condolences and heartfelt thank you

[@Theretirementnerds]

Thank you so much! Appreciate you so much! ❤️🙏

[@845karolewithak]

I'm sorry for the loss of your mom. Sounds like she was a real fighter. Praying for peace and comfort for your family. God bless you all.

[@Theretirementnerds]

Thank you so much!

[@Steve-nb9kg]

Very good example of Medicare options. My mother's ICU stay of 11 days was billed at over $500K and she paid only $1800. She had a Medicare supplement plan.

[@Theretirementnerds]

Thank you for sharing Steve! Do you know what supplement plan she had? Paying $1,800 for something on a supplement plan is rare. Maybe she had a High Deductible plan G?

[@jimshoe402]

I was in ICU for 13 days + PT place for 2 weeks = ZERO BILL .Been retired 2.5 years ZERO BILLS..ALOHA

[@gailrodgers3079]

@@Theretirementnerds I agree. Sounds like some kind of mistake.

[@Corkfish1]

Which plan???

[@Steve-nb9kg]

@@Theretirementnerds I think it was United Health, a plan she got through my Dad's company he retired from. I don't know much more than that.

[@QbnAmCan]

I work in healthcare. Many doctors just abused the system. I just had an 86 year old patient going through Chemo that has Aortic Stenosis (valve doesn’t open enough) and her doctors are trying to talk her into having it replaced. They want to do the surgery before she dies of cancer. I have had patients with Dementia, Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s al with the same valve issue and they DO THE SURGERY! All to prolong the misery of both patients and caregivers and to enrich themselves. DISGUSTING!

[@annlanham211]

Sad that this happens.

[@rlarsen000]

Having an advance medical directive and medical power of attorney in place before need is important. So is letting the hospital know these things on admission. My wife was a nurse and knew what she was heading into, so she had all this in place (as do i). She made sure before her last hospitalization that I knew to specify DNR and no intubation. She had been fighting cancer for six years. I respected her decision and the hospital did also without any question.

[@6789uiop]

@@rlarsen000 Respect. Thanks for sharing that.

[@jhmstagg9104]

On the other hand, I was planning to live to be a 104. At 86 that replacement might come in handy for me.

[@janicenunn8525]

gotta pay for the golf club memberships somehow, and the wife needs a new Mercedes every 2 years....

[@carolynknaack4484]

What a comprehensive comparison! Thank you SO MUCH. How mind boggling for seniors to make decisions.

[@Theretirementnerds]

Thank you so much for watching!

[@gailrodgers3079]

It is mind boggling and since so much of it is online, for those seniors who are not online it is even harder. I ended up on disablity in my mid 40s and when I had to sign up for MC and it was the first time that MC-D (the prescription plan) was availbable. I was on a lot of meds and so I was very careful to be sure I signed up for a plan wherer my meds were covered and that I wouldn't fall into the donut hole. I used to sit waiting for my script to be done at the drugstore and several times I saw a senior get told that their medication cost was suddenly $200+ as they had fallen into the donut hole. I wanted to cry for them. Someone helping them, if anyone, wasn't on their toes at all.

[@jaindeau772]

Yeah, and the worst part is that we’re essentially stuck with the decision we make at age 64/65.

[@PorscheSpeedster-kz6nc]

Thank you for sharing this personal loss and turning it to a valuable lesson for all of us. A gem that carries on!!!

[@Theretirementnerds]

Appreciate you taking the time to watch and comment. Thank you!

[@mikehenderson2039]

Thanks for helping others, despite what you're going through! I always learn something from your videos...I have two uncles in their 80s who have Advantage Plans, but I'll share the info on Hospital Indemnity to help save them a lot of money and stress! Your mom would be SO PROUD of you!

[@brian_atc]

Three things: 1. Use caution. Some hospitals are not accepting Advantage coverage anymore. 2. Just look at these insane prices listed here! The costs for health care and its complex nature are criminal. We have to switch to a single payer system. 3. Your helping others in such a personal way is heroic. Thank you!

[@Theretirementnerds]

Thank you 🙏

[@bordereau1]

I picked a Supplemental above my Medicare. I have cancer and my premium is $278 a month. They pay my Medicare premium and that which is not covered above Medicare 's payment. My best decision ever....a set premium, no surprises.....Your mom was a warrior.....condolences...excellent video

[@Theretirementnerds]

Thank you 🙏

[@eduardooramaeddie4006]

Wow ! 😢I'm so sorry about your mom, but that bill was huge, thank you very much Eddie

[@Theretirementnerds]

Thank you Eddie. Appreciate your support for so long!

[@eduardooramaeddie4006]

You're welcome ​@@Theretirementnerds

[@catmo3462]

This was why i chose traditional medicare and supplemental when i became age- eligible. I finally have decent insurance, generally easy to navigate and i dont fear losing my home to catastrophic car accident or illness.

[@Theretirementnerds]

Thank you for watching and sharing your experience!

[@kingkong-zi7vn]

My dad was diagnosed with stage 4 prostate cancer. When it came time to pick one of the medicare plans, I did a thorough research. I concluded that the supplement plan, especially plan G, was the best route. Thank God I was right. He has access to some highly advance cancer treatments out there with little cost out of pocket. As long as you are paying your monthly fee, you will be taken cared of.

[@Theretirementnerds]

Thank you for sharing. I hope he is doing ok

[@synovium]

This is a very helpful video that explains Medicare, Supplemental, and Advantage programs. this well. While the Medicare Advantage program may initially seem appealing as a contracted service under Medicare, it can, in reality, become significantly more expensive, particularly for individuals managing chronic illnesses. It is for this reason that it should be rebranded as Medicare Disadvantage. Such patients might ultimately incur unexpectedly high costs for their care. I personally have Medigap with my Medicare, and as you pointed out, it has been the most beneficial in the long run. And to think that specific individuals in Congress want to eliminate Medicare. That is why it will be essential to VOTE this year

[@ptg01]

Well done !!! From what I gather, the bottom line is if one is on medicare and have some serious illness, supplement plans are a no brainer in order to get care anywhere vs being restricted to in-network providers for Advantage plans....

[@buggsy5]

Among other reasons, yes.

[@SillyPutty3700]

The complications of this process are staggering!

[@michaelmiddleton3311]

Cheers to your mom! I lost both my folks within 10 months of each other. Signing up for SS next week and Medicare shortly after. This has been very helpful!

[@Theretirementnerds]

So glad it was helpful! Thank you for watching!

[@buggsy5]

If you are age 65 or older when you start SS, then the government will automatically sign you up for Medicare Parts A and B.

[@chrismarchetti-olson6632]

First and foremost, I am so very sorry for your loss and for your advocacy in trying to help others. Your mom must be so proud of you. I am a nurse practitioner specializing in geriatric care for 8 years now and I am appalled at how most of these plans strip this population of everything they have without ever explaining things and bottom line, with advantage, the only ones benefitting are the companies which is disgusting! I will do my best to pay what I learned from you forward and to explain things in a way people can actually understand which, like in your case, should only come from those who have zero financial interest from the choices people make. Knowledge is so powerful and again, thank you and you have gained a subscription from me because I intend to learn as much as I can! 🙏♥️♥️

[@Theretirementnerds]

Thank you so much for watching and taking the time to share your kind words!

[@bookoobeans]

I lost my dad to cancer too. Sorry about your mom. I'm sure she would be glad to know you provided this information to others and is proud of you. Super helpful!

[@Theretirementnerds]

Thank you so much for watching! Sorry to hear about your dad. It's not a fun way to go.

[@mariaaguado-c9n]

Thank you, for helping us understand. My mother died and it was pretty devastating. God Bless you during this difficult time.

[@user-ol4pi4oh7c]

This is insane. Thank you for explaining what most retired or soon-to-retire Americans DO NOT UNDERSTAND. Your chart and explanation shows how complicated and convoluted our healthcare payment system is at every level and in every circumstance. We need a national healthcare system.

[@Theretirementnerds]

Thank you for watching!

[@chelsea_1961]

Stop electing wealthy people & things will change.

[@edennis8578]

Oh, sure. Then we can have the feds messing up everyone's healthcare, not just the vets' or Medicare. Forget that.

[@edennis8578]

You do realize that Medicare **is** nationalized heathcare?

[@buggsy5]

Just making advantage plans illegal and have everyone use original medicare with supplemental plans would greatly simplify the medicare system.

[@brettster3331]

I am so sorry you lost your lovely Mom, Thank you for you hard work keeping us informed about Medicare we all its complications.

[@Theretirementnerds]

Appreciate you so much!

[@kathleenmatthews1737]

Please accept my condolences for the loss of your mother. Thank you for the great visuals as they applied to your mother. It helped me understand what is best for me and I'm sure it has helped others.

[@Theretirementnerds]

Thank you so much Kathleen. Appreciate your kind words and I'm glad this was helpful. Just responded to your email :)

[@sw23971]

I would suggest to anyone looking at what type of coverage would work for you is to understand that the Advantage plans promote free dental, hearing and vision coverage. An actual medical need for those issues would be covered by the insurance but the Advantage plans promote those benefits which are just eye exams and low cost prescription glasses, dental plans in usually restrictive hmo networks and hearing plans which are for a yearly hearing test and discounts on hearing aids. The point is the cost of an annual dental cleaning or eye exam shouldn't blurr the actual need for a serious medical insurance plan which is laid out quite well by the presenter.

[@lyndayoung8761]

You already made my comment for me. Dental in my county in CA is preventive only. Hearing aids are crummy with copays same as Costco. Big whoop. Yet these benefits grab beneficiaries. Sad.

[@angiegunsauls1486]

I’m an agent that deals in Medicare plans and this is solid information. I wish all the Advantage plan badgers could see this. Such a sweet tribute to your mom too.

[@Theretirementnerds]

Thank you for taking the time to watch!

[@brucemcclelland904]

My experience confirms your opinion. I somehow survived a sudden cardiac arrest that required 9 days in the CCU, and then a couple of years later, I was treated with radiation (8 weeks) and hormone therapy (2 years) for prostate cancer (now ‘cured’). I think the total retail bill was close to a million dollars for the two cases, yet aside from regular premiums for Part B & Supplement, I think I only ended up paying a couple of thousand overall. The takeaway for me was how important it was to have had some good advice to make the right choices when I became Medicare eligible. This video contains a lot of the same good advice, so thanking you on behalf of all who watch this and listen.

[@Theretirementnerds]

Thank you Bruce! Glad to hear you are cured!

[@buggsy5]

When shopping for insurance, beware of agents that try to sell you advantage plans. Their commissions are much higher than what they get with Supplemental (Medigap) plans.

[@c.m.303]

@@buggsy5 Exactly! advantage plans should have been banned a decade ago, but it costs medicare less so they ignore all the complaints of being denied services.

[@buggsy5]

@@c.m.303 Actually, advantage plans cost Medicare far more than the standard supplemental plans. With advantage plans, Medicare pays the plan a fixed amount every month, regardless if whether the subscriber needs care or not. That is an additional incentive for the advantage plan to require pre-approval, which delays treatment. It also incentivizes the plan to deny care - even when the proposed care is obviously appropriate. But my biggest objection is that the plans, with their pre-approval requirements, are actually telling physicians, that they know better than the subscriber's personal physicians on how to treat any illness. They should be required to pay for any care that Medicare has deemed appropriate and paid - just like advantage plans do.

[@c.m.303]

@buggsy5 Yes I agree. Sorry it wasn't very clearly written. According to the testimony I heard, in the long run Medicare does pay less with that one lump payment and it is done. The second part that encourages denials is the appeal process just goes back to the same process that denied it. There is no oversight by Medicare or any other agency. And they have been aware of the refusal to treat for over 10 years. It's a terrible plan that only works if you don't get sick or injured.

[@theodorejay1046]

Thanks for this. Makes me want to stick with my United AARP Supplement plan 🙏

[@cf7045]

Thank you so much! All of the stuff gives me a headache, but you do an excellent job in explaining it. You have my deepest sympathy for the loss of your mother.

[@Theretirementnerds]

Thank you so much 🙏❤️

[@rkb9155]

I’m so sorry that hear that you lost your mother. I lost my wife and best friend to breast cancer in January of this year as well. She was just 54. I know this video was difficult and trust me I know your pain and grief and my prayers are with you and your family. Grieving the loss of a loved one is so very difficult. I still cry daily. I’m 62 and retired so this is really setting a fire in me to get my act together. Thank you for educating all of us. This is your gift.

[@Theretirementnerds]

Thank you for watching. I'm so sorry to hear about your loss. It's a different kind of pain when it's your sweetheart, and I can't imagine what you've gone through. Thoughts your way 🙏

[@theresarowe1656]

Just to note that while Medicare Advantage plans may say they offer dental coverage, finding a dentist that actually accepts the coverage is next to impossible in our area.

[@Theretirementnerds]

Where you live and the company definitely matters on that one. There are some plans that just offer dollars rather than a network. Others have what you're describing. Thank you for watching and sharing your experience!

[@stephaniecruvant9130]

Yes when I had Medicare Advantage three years ago, my dentist simply would not recognize it. I was fortunate to be accepted into Supplement Plan G when I learned about it the following year. Yes, I have to budget each month as I am low income, but the coverage is more than worth it to me.

[@americangirl8970]

also, you DONT need to go through Medicare Advantage to get a dental plan. Find the dentist you want and then see what plans they take, then contact the insurer directly.

[@utubeisboobtube]

@@americangirl8970 Many of the dental offices are an outlet for a larger operation, check with them for their plans. There are companies like Neo, Aspen, PDS, Delta, etc., each one has different options.

[@beoz658]

Sorry to hear your mother passed away 🙏 And thank you for this great video. SuppG saved and saves my brother a bunch of money. 16 visits a month for light therapy 11 days in icu. I start on Medicare with Supplement G tomorrow 3-1-24

[@Theretirementnerds]

Congratulations on the move to Medicare. Thank you for watching and sharing your brother’s experience. Appreciate you!🙏

[@Quackamoley8]

Thank you for sharing your personal story. You made things very clear. Loved the photo at the end!

[@Theretirementnerds]

So glad it was helpful! Thank you for taking the time to watch and comment! I love that photo as well :)

[@lynnpardo]

I have worked in medical billing and this a concise explanation. Thank you so much. I can recommend this as viewing for everyone beginning Medicare.

[@Theretirementnerds]

Thank you so much!!

[@williamfrench9973]

So sorry to hear about your mom’s passing. How proud she must have been of you.

[@Theretirementnerds]

Thank you 🙏

[@m.mickeypayne9811]

This is outrageous. I now understand why I met 88 year old folks working full-time at Disney World while on Social security. Cheap insurance .

[@ej2953]

Another source of relatively cheap insurance would be to go back to college and sign up for student insurance.

[@enjoystraveling]

@@ej2953 maybe they have an age limitation on health insurance

[@beverlysnow9315]

I’m so glad I went on Medicare when I did and was able to get a Supplemental Part F. I went through cancer treatment, including surgery, 4 months of chemo, and 20 radiation treatments and did not pay anything. Medicare realized how much $$$ they were losing by offering a Part F, so do not offer any Part F anymore. Luckily, those who did enroll in a Part F when it was available, were are grandfathered in. I can’t imagine how to keep up with all these choices.

[@Theretirementnerds]

Plan F is a beast! Glad to hear you are better and still with us!

[@cgong415]

how much does it cost now to purchase Part F if we want to have it?

[@AdrienneKushner-qi6cl]

I also have cancer and paid nothing with Part F. Extensive surgery, 6 days in the hospital, numerous surgeons, doctors, medications, and a visiting nurse. I didn't have to pay anything.

[@cgong415]

I only heard of supplement plan part G and part N, what’s part F?

[@buggsy5]

You can no longer get Plan F, but Plan G is almost identical and Plan N is a close third. The difference in annual premiums for the G and N plans might well cover the slightly reduced coverages they provide. @@cgong415

[@ocean694]

Thank you for an excellent illustration of how things work under medicare !

[@Theretirementnerds]

Appreciate you tuning in!

[@MariaSantos-vp5iy]

You are very kind and thoughtful, honoring your mom’s memory by helping others in possible or similar situations. God bless you.

[@Theretirementnerds]

Thank you so much for watching 🙏

[@tjevans3025]

I did subscribe to your channel, and appreciate the information and analysis. I am 15 months shy of 65, and this is my first foray into looking at Medicare. This video has been quite an eye opener. Since you're selling your products, I also will continue to do further research and get additional information. What is already clear is: There is no way that I can actually retire, and that I will need to plan accordingly for the medical part of the last chapter in my life journey. My last medical stay was in-patient, and the bill came to a little over $400,000! I had Blue Cross Blue Shield, employer sponsored PPO that cost me about $140 a month and had a max of $5000 out of pocket. Thanks for making this information available. Until now, I did not realize how incredibly expensive senior medical expense can be, and the complexities of navigating a plan.

[@Theretirementnerds]

It gets a bit nuts. That you for watching and subscribing. Hopefully our other videos make it a little less intimidating

[@holgermessner851]

That’s completely insane! As a German, I am always shocked about the US hospital and insurance stuff. My aunt had to call an ambulance for herself after she opened the bill from the hospital in Denver CO. Her husband who died after 8 days in hospital, had 8 days earlier an emergency and was rushed to the hospital. So my aunt who wasn’t feeling well, losing her husband, opened the envelope and just broke down, without switching to the last page. $547,000!! for 8 days hospitalization! If the USA isn’t switching to a maximum $$$$ cap on medical and hospital bills (pharmaceutical companies and hospitals can charge people) this will not end well. Luckily my uncle was a lifetime member of the army, the bill was paid in full. With older people, this bills can be a shock. But what was my aunts thoughts & reaction after living 38 years in the USA? She sold everything and moved back to Germany. She was scared to death of getting old and ending up only for one week in the US hospitals!

[@Birdylockso]

She didn't understand how these bills work. It is like a "list price" that no one ever pays. If you have insurance, it will argue for you and pay for you at a discounted amount, because you have paid monthly payments to the insurance company. If you have no money, many would just ignore the bill. Then the hospital would send the bills to a "collection agency" to hopefully get the money back. Hospitals have budget to allow "non-payment" each year. That is why also they mark up the prices, knowing full well, they can only get fraction of that money anyway. It's really crazy.

[@sideler7057]

This video didn't cover expensive Rx drugs either as mom didn't need them. That can be thousands extra just for those depending on insurance plan. And these expenses are for folks without a job, i.e. retired. Not sure why Americans tolerate this insanity, but they do.

[@Maruman_man]

Yet you can't convince Americans who have never traveled that other countries have better Healthcare systems

[@GUITARTIME2024]

All insurance plans have a "maximum yearly out of pocket" amount. No insurance plan would have made her pay that whole amount.

[@tommyhaynes9157]

As an American , I agree. This county could afford to have single payer universal medical care . Our republican party is why we can't have better health care and free college education

[@Spucky50]

So brave to make this video. Thank you, its very helpful. Your mom must have been very proud of you.

[@Theretirementnerds]

Thank you so much! ❤️

[@J_Neighbor]

This is an excellent testimoney for high-deductible plan G, if a column were added in. I haven’t done the math yet, but it appears on the face that it would be the lowest total cost option, and eliminates the medicare advantage issues of doctor-choice and the long waits for insurance companies to make treatment decisions.

[@Theretirementnerds]

Different example, but we did a similar video a while back with High Deductible Plan G: kzbin.info/www/bejne/g4jVf5uQjJ2NmbM

[@71suns]

Insurance companies are a legalized protection RACKET

[@TM-rq8lf]

@@Theretirementnerds Will premiums go up more than normal if there are a lot of people going with Plan G?

[@Theretirementnerds]

@TM-rq8lf more than normal is tough. There isn't really a normal. Increases are based off of how an individual insurance company is running within their plan. If insurance company A has a year where a lot of people have high costs, but insurance company B has fewer people with high costs... typically, A will see a higher increase. But the next year, that could flip flop. Plan G attracts more people with higher costs because of the coverage, which means it is more likely (but not guaranteed) to see more consistent and possibly a higher percentage increase than N or HD G.

[@TM-rq8lf]

@@Theretirementnerds Thanks for the thorough explanation!

[@ericboncuk5303]

I’ll be 65 next month so my wife and I are navigating all the options available. Thank you for sharing your Mothers and families experience and pain to the benefit of others.

[@Theretirementnerds]

Appreciate you taking the time to watch and comment 🙏

[@sherwoodstolt1027]

The $4000 difference between the supplement plan and the advantage plan is equal to about two years of supplement plan premiums. If the analysis is expanded to include just a few prior years, the supplement plan savings might turn into a loss (depending on other ongoing medical expenses).

[@Theretirementnerds]

We made a video on that here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/epjThJKIoaZnnc0 Thank you for watching!

[@CC-kl4nh]

My mother has cancer. Her bill was initially 6 figures. $100k plus. Nuts!

[@Theretirementnerds]

Hope she's doing okay!

[@boogieondown5824]

People forget that the US taxpayer helps other countries by protecting them militarily--they don't have to pay taxes on a giant global war system. Their European taxes can go into health care instead of the military. US Defense budget was over $800 Billion (not counting likely black budget or SAP). The UK spent $54 Billion. The UK spent about $200 Billion on health care.

[@nenevz2948]

@@boogieondown5824 This is not some benevolence by the US. It is to protect and profit our oligarchs here and abroad. The same ones who corrupt our government to keep from paying taxes and to receive subsidies from those who do pay taxes

[@kentclizbe]

Excellent point, Boogie. All the foreigners bragging about their "free" healthcare, or education, etc, and complaining about the cost in the USA, just ignore the billions and billions of dollars that we've shoveled into their countries since WW2. Our dollars covering their defense costs, as well as other costs, allow them to spend freely on health, or schools, or other perks. We Americans are really dupes--and NOT because we have a healthcare system that requires us to pay insurance. We're dupes because we've funded the unappreciative foreigners for decades. Israel is the best example. They offer their citizens free everything--healthcare, education, and more. They can do that because we send them $10 million A DAY, and have for the last 50 years.

[@davidhawkins7138]

I live in Canada and am undergoing cancer treatment. I don't pay for anything, not even parking, and the care has been outstanding. It's so sad to see your mother's treatment cost in the richest nation in the world.

[@angelasoWA]

My uncle is battling pancreatic cancer in Toronto and his oncologist there won’t step up to allow him to take meds outside of what Health Canada recommends. In the US, the cancer treatment is way ahead. Yes it’s expensive but your life, more life is priceless.

[@rb239rtr]

@@angelasoWA Ontarian here, 37 years ago, PMH oncologists and OHIP pulled me from the grave due to curing me from a stage 4 cancer. The Health Canada system is good for a population of 40 million people, a bit more problematic for a single individual. In the USA, every new drug is embraced by paid doctors, driving costs up. Health Canada, on the other hand asks how does this drug improve outcomes, if not much is seen, the drug is not approved. Ultimately, these drugs do get approved, but at a much lower cost. All of the doctors that I have dealt with have been strongly ethical in my treatment, whether they were my GP in my home city, my ocologists at PMH, or at a Sunday walkin clinic that I recently went to. I would hope that your uncle's doctor was not being lazy, but instead acted on more ethical beliefs regarding this new drug. Each province does have a fund for un-approved procedures, as well as the pharmaceutical companies, who obviously have an incentive to have these drugs approved in Canada.

[@chathammkm]

If I may be so bold to ask, how much do you pay for your health care through your taxes?

[@rb239rtr]

@@chathammkm It's complicated. Healthcare cost per person in Canada for 2023 was approximately $6000 USD per person, with nearly 100% of the population covered. Most of the funds come from general tax revenue, which includes federal and provincial sales taxes, income taxes and excise taxes, and in some provinces an additional tax levy. Personal income taxes are half of government revenue, sales, excise and business taxes are the other half of government revenue. So, 1. if you are a street person pushing a cart, earning zero dollars, you have zero taxes, therefore you pay zero for your healthcare 2. If you suffered a tragic accident and can no longer work, you will get government stipends for disability, you will pay taxes, likley at under 10% of your income, some of that would go for health care. 3. If you are an adult student in college, earning minimum wage, some of your taxes will go to healthcare. 4. If you are well paid, you are taxed at high rates, a bigger portion of your taxes goes to health care 5. If you are retired, you are earning less income, you pay less taxes, so less of your taxes go to healthcare Under the health care laws, every member (virtually 100% of Canadians) get medically necessary coverage, they cannot be kicked out of the system, there are no co-pays, there is no loss of coverage if unemployed or moving to a different company or province, and there are no insurance administrators talking with your doctor about your healthcare. Unregistered Canadians are usually those who do not apply when turning 18 yrs. Well paid people do pay more in taxes, so they do contribute more to the health care of others. Basically, well paid people carry the burden, they are actually paying forward for healthcare in their old age. Right wing think tanks in Canada say a couple earning $150k CDN has about $11k USD of taxes for a family of 4 directed into the health care system, but they never say that disadvantaged people benefit also. Comparing this to USA, Medicare costs $940 Billion USD, which is a tax of $2800 for each man, woman and child, so, likely Americans and Canadians pay the same taxes for healthcare, except that if you are under 65 in the USA, either you or your employer have to handle your own insurance. Total health care costs in the USA are 60-70% higher than in Canada. All that being said, it is a great system to handle the health needs of an entire population, from the modestly rich to the poorest. But if you are wealthy, you do have to wait your turn.

[@sct4040]

The US is a 3rd world country.

[@tomphillips8739]

I got an acute leukemia in 2009, first 4 months of treatment was over $3,000,000 USD, total treatment lasted 30 months. I was younger with insurance coverage and my deductibles were $1500 each year. In the US, you need insurance but you can get help without, you need social workers to help, and they will. So, as he says with Medicare you should if at all possible get extra coverage. It makes it easier. It is not that you won't receive care, you will but you could end up in debt to the state and not have anything left. Great advice and thanks. I am approaching medicare age now and these questions and answers are so important to know. My insurance company paid a fraction of the billable amount I listed but without any kind of insurance it is devastating.

[@eartha911]

This retired airline worker thanks you! I'll be watching your videos.

[@Theretirementnerds]

Thank you so much!

[@counterflow5719]

All of that complexity and confusion comes at a cost. That complexity is in every aspect of our daily lives and is a huge factor in our inability to function as a stable society and civilization.

[@rickbruceroche2038]

Supplement plans… I served in and retired from the US Army. I have TriCare for life. Annual cost is $0. Deductible is $0. I spent 7 days in the hospital while I was on TriCare ($240 annually) and my bill was $55. Paid half and ended up with nothing else.

[@Theretirementnerds]

Medicare and Tricare for Life is as good as it gets. Thank you for sharing!

[@terrysmoak3691]

Excellent presentation, most practical I've seen to date. You are a brave man presenting a most painful, personal event. It was extremely helpful as I ponder retirement SS and M'care options. Thank you...

[@Theretirementnerds]

Appreciate you! 🙏 so glad to hear it was helpful!

[@Mitzi73]

Sorry for the loss of your beautiful mom. Thank you for this video.

[@Theretirementnerds]

Thank you 🙏

[@nellerue446]

I'm sorry to hear your mother had such a long battle with cancer. I know it was hard on you and her other loved ones. Thank you for the videos

[@Theretirementnerds]

Thank you 🙏

[@resortwearllc2535]

I'm SO sorry for your loss.😥Thank you for the video. You're amazing. Cheers!

[@Theretirementnerds]

Thank you so much ❤️ 🙏

[@janischristiansen6689]

My Medicare Advantage plan paid for my heart attack, subsequent stroke, 2 week in a hospital, 5 weeks in nursing home and all home treatment more than 120,000. I only had to pay 300 for ambulance!

[@lgp4960]

Will you say who your medical provider is?

[@buggsy5]

I have never seen an Advantage plan that did not have an out-of-pocket amount, usually in the thousands of dollars. You must have exceptional Advantage plan coverage. And where did you get ambulance transport/treatment for only $300 co-pay? Ambulance bills usually run in the high hundreds to thousands of dollars.

[@janischristiansen6689]

@@lgp4960 I had Blue Cross live in Minnesota and had my heart attack in 2015...

[@janischristiansen6689]

@@buggsy5 I was shopping right next to the hospital so don't know why if that was less. I had Blue Cross and live in Minnesota and this was in 2015. Not an expensive plan....

[@janischristiansen6689]

@@lgp4960 Blue Cross not an expensive plan..

[@Jody-kt9ev]

Very good video, sad to hear about your mom. The one thing not mentioned is that, more and more, there are places a Medicare Advantage patient cannot go due to the fact that the providers do not take Medicare Advantage. The Mayo Clinic and the hospital in the town I went to school in (Stillwater, Oklahoma) are two of these.

[@Theretirementnerds]

Excellent point!

[@g0989]

Hospitals in rural areas or smaller cites, along with some of the nationally-renowned treatment centers (like Mayo Clinic), are less likely to contract with Medicare Advantage, than hospitals in medium to large urban areas.

[@Jody-kt9ev]

@@g0989 Very true. I just saw that Scripps Health of California is dropping MA. I live in Texas and it appears that MD Anderson of Houston takes mostly Blue Cross and Blue Shield MA programs and original Medicare(from their website). I was just in the small west Texas town of Van Horn. There was an ad in the local newspaper stating that there was still time to switch from MA to original Medicare. From all of this, it appears that MA is not a good choice for seniors, especially rural seniors.

[@buggsy5]

I think providers are getting tired of all the hassles that come with advantage plans, although they net more income from them. They also dislike the plans denying treatments or having to get approval in advance. That is essentially the advantage plan telling the doctor how to practice medicine. @@Jody-kt9ev

[@tammymonaghan1114]

I'm so sorry for your loss, I lost my mom to cancer in 2007. I also wanted to say thank you so much for this video. I myself have Multiple Sclerosis and have part F as a supplement and so many people do not understand why. Over my life I've had to file bankruptcy twice for medical reasons and I've had my Part F since 2018 and it is extremely valuable for someone like myself that is in the hospital often, surgeries yearly and MRI at least once a year. I also have been on Ocrevus which is covered under B but it's $60k twice a year for the infusion so I recommend the F but usually you can't get on it after diagnosis. My diagnosis took about 10 years due to other diagnosis and I happened to get on the part F about 6 months before my confirmed diagnosis and it's basically the rainbow that I could find in the long journey. I can sit and see this in my mind but trying to explain to someone else is beyond my capabilities with my word finding and cog fog. So I will be sharing this video to those who have questions. Thank you so much.

[@Theretirementnerds]

Thank you so much for watching and your kind words. Losing mom is never easy. SOrry to hear about your own health challenges. Seems so hard.

[@markmedley6849]

I am so, so sorry for your loss. I can tell from the photos she loved you very much and you are very lucky to have had her as a mom. I agree with you. I love Medicare Supplement. I hope it stays as good as it is for many years to come. Great info and thank you for posting.

[@Theretirementnerds]

Thank you so much 🙏

[@butterflygirl2285]

IMO - Insurance for senior age people is absolutely awful and complicated. We have been thrown to the wolves. Prescription costs are atrocious. How did we get into this mess? Younger adults don't realize what is going to happen when they reach their "golden years" - they think Medicare is free for some reason.

[@rad608]

Condolences on your mom!........ The biggest downfall of the Advantage plans is eventually the costs will skyrocket, the same way the HMO's did 30 years ago. And when that happens, you'll be older and sicker and won't be able to switch back to Medicare.

[@buggsy5]

That is correct. The insurance company lobbyists talked congress into making it easy to go from Supplemental plans (Medigap) to advantage plans - but almost impossible to do the reverse. Once on an advantage plan, you are pretty much stuck there for the rest of your life.

[@kurtfischer2319]

Thank you so much for this video. God bless you and your mom.

[@Theretirementnerds]

Thank you, Kurt!

[@robertjohnson4401]

Condolences on your loss. What was eye opening about the comparison was the amount that Medicare paid for the chemotherapy. While they pay about 85% of negotiated rates of everything else, they paid only about 50% of the chemotherapy. I was considering Medicare only. Not anymore. You cannot rely on Medicare coverage being consistent. I will choose the Supplemental Plan G. Thanks for sharing.

[@Theretirementnerds]

Thank you, Robert! 🙏

[@Granpi]

I'm disabled and on part A & B. During my 7.5 years on dialysis at an average of $130,000 monthly (was covered by Medicare). My kidney transplant in 2020 was $250k and the surgeon bill was $25K. I paid $516.00 for the surgeon and approx. 3500.00 for the surgery. My monthly IV cost $8k, I pay $416.00. Hospitals aren't regulated and can charge what ever they feel for their services. Also, there are different price tiers for patients depending on their coverage. If you have full insurance you will be charged the highest amount. An MRI here out of pocket with no insurance is $7k, with insurance it $15k and varies among hospitals. My main issue is that I can't qualify for an advantage plan because of my condition but thankfully my SSI disability covers my expenses. Part D is a scam and if you don't get it you're penalized a percentage that you may eventually have to pay when if you do get part D at later date. My meds cost less slightly without Part D.

[@c.m.303]

Actually, don't they charge the monthly penalty for the rest of your life? They did for my dad, he did restart it. I am curious is the fee only charged if you restart the part D? It is such a rigged system!

[@cgong415]

The picture of you and your mom together is so lovely and touching. Thank you for the video! I can only understand the fraction of the content. I also heard there is a Part D in medicare, not sure what that is.

[@Theretirementnerds]

Thank you so much. Yes, we have a few videos on Part D. Here is one: kzbin.info/www/bejne/m4jcZ6xtbMiMeK8

[@cgong415]

@@Theretirementnerds Thank you again!

[@adamniederklein6965]

Appreciate your thoughtful and thorough analysis. Admirable.

[@buggsy5]

Part D is drug coverage. That coverage is often included in advantage plans.

[@WildwoodSon]

The insane complexity of the American system is well described here.

[@Stilllookingood58]

Thanks for the great info as usual. Ive shared your site with everyone who asks about my retirement! You helped me tremendously❤

[@Theretirementnerds]

Appreciate you, Faith! So glad we have been able to help and appreciate you sharing. Thank you for your support!

[@dennysfradera1238]

Thank you for such emotional and instructive video. My condolences for your loss.

[@Theretirementnerds]

Thank you for taking the time to watch 🙏

[@joniboulware1436]

So similar to my 93 yo mother's who passed January 2024 after a 12 month period of 5 hospitalizations. Her government retirement insurance even paid her part B deductibles. Supplement plan was more like $250 per month. Most of her drugs were relatively inexpensive. But not a dollar of actual hospital bills. Such a blessing.

[@Theretirementnerds]

Thank you for sharing!

[@ronaldkemp3952]

I'm not a doctor, not giving medical advice, this is my testimony. I was diagnosed with stage 4 NHL large b-cell in 2017. I had months to live. I have insurance but the cancer was so advanced I doubt I would survive 2 weeks of chemo and radiation let alone 4 months of it. I couldn't walk, couldn't drive, could barely stand without being in extreme pain everywhere. I had tumors, one large on on the top of my head they removed to do a biopsy on, and had smaller ones growing on my neck, shoulders, arms, sides, chest and back. My lymph nodes were all extremely swollen. I was in so much pain and was too weak to even drive. He told me if I didn't go through their treatment most people don't make it beyond 5 years. I felt if I went through chemo and radiation for 4 months it was going to kill me. I asked him if there was a natural treatment for cancer that wasn't so evasive and he said he didn't know of any. I declined the chemo and radiation and went home. I did some research, and in less than 20 minutes found personal testimonies claiming dandelion root tea helped to shrink their cancerous tumors. I thought what the heck. I was going to put my trust in the people who tried it themselves before the advice of a doctor getting kickbacks from drug companies, and other agenda. So, I bought some dandelion root supplements in the form of capsules by Nature's Way and began taking them every day. 2 months later I made an appointment to see how far the cancer had advanced. My family doctor could not find any of the cancer cells in my bloodwork. He pulled up my shirt and looked all over my body for the tumors and they were all gone. There was nothing left but indentations in my skin where the tumors had once been, That was then and I'm still in complete remission. I take 3 in the morning (1.575 g) when I get up, before I eat, so it has enough time to digest before eating. It's been almost 7 years and feel so much better. I also try to stay away from artificial sweeteners and sugar. I notice when I eat a snack with sugar the cancer tries to come back. I ate a little debbie pie 2 days ago and I'm feeling it. So I'll take 3 capsules in the morning and 3 at night before bed and I'll be feeling normal again in another day or so. Sugar is so hard to quit, worse than the addiction I had to pain meds many years ago. All sweeteners and sugar should be outlawed. Too tempting. We've got to be strong and resist temptation. Edit: I didn't go back to see the oncologist and I saved myself from having to pay insurance co-fees or the gas to drive out of town every day, 60 miles to get treatment. The pills were delivered right to my door.

[@carolann4087]

Way to go! I would do the same, there are tons of natural cures for cancer. I never understood chemo anyway. If they give chemo to a healthy person, it will make them very sick, so how do they expect to give chemo to a sick person to make them well? It doesn't add up to me!

[@MeherScholar]

Thanks for sharing your experience. Do you allow fruit?

[@ronaldkemp3952]

@@MeherScholar Do I allow fruit to do what? I'm confused.

[@HulaShack1]

@@MeherScholar Fruit is sugar. Cancer feeds on sugar. Do the research.

[@ShellyWest-d8x]

@@HulaShack1 Sugar is a toxin, and yes cancer does feed on it. But the fructose in fruit is not unnatural to the body the way sugar is. Ok to have some fruit, just don't overdo it.

[@bluestripetiger]

In the USA, unless you are fortunate to be in the top percent, there are many life events that could spell your financial doom. Getting a serious illness is one of them, another would be getting divorced, yet another would be getting sued, another would be losing your job. Unfortunately, retirement can now be included in the list as there is a disturbingly increasing number of americans that can no longer afford to retire. Another life event: If you need to go into a nursing home institution then you will definitely be poor as the contract is usually that the institution gets to keep your monthly retirement check in exchange for taking care of you. You are given a pittance as an allowance out of your own money.

[@barrydraper]

Very sorry about your Mom. One thing you didn't mention, besides limited networks for Dis-Advantage Plans, these plans often don't approve doctor recommended treatment plans. You may be denied the BEST available treatment, because these plans are not required to cover all treatments that traditional Medicare (+Medigap) allows.

[@Theretirementnerds]

Thank you for your kind words. 🙏 On the other point, it does happen, but I guess we all have different feelings around often. Doesn't happen as often as most think, but does happen.

[@Walter37165]

Thank you for this. I recently turned 65 and had seen your videos before and literally yesterday I got approved for my plan G medigap supplemental plan.

[@jorasparents]

Oh my gosh. This video was amazing. My husband retires in four years. I hope you're still making videos by then! Thank you!

[@Theretirementnerds]

Thank you so much! We plan to! 🙂

[@jimbond8927]

This video will help many people. It is troublesome that a decision that is so important to so many people and their families is shrouded in complexity, technicalities, and jargon. I have no doubt at all that your mom was forever proud of you.

[@Theretirementnerds]

Thank you for saying this. Glad to know this video is helpful :)

[@Kiskadee8388]

Medicare medical care should not be so confusing or difficult to deal with. I read an AARP article saying CMS pays on average $800 - $1,000 per enrollee per month to MA plan insurance companies to cover enrollees.

[@philterzian9162]

My Dad was an MD. He got cancer at 83. Opted for no treatment and eventually committed suicide. Shotgun shell cost him $0.75. That’s my plan.

[@440tomcat]

Ahhh the R plan (Remington).They say the seed doesn't fall far from the tree. Why not be ahead of the game and think of it now to save some dollars before you get there. Ammos going up in price......

[@stevecarr1992]

Had a coworker do the same, when he found out he had lung cancer. Fairly young bloke too.

[@shadowfilm7980]

I just would opt out for no treatment. Period. That’s it. No Suicide. Can’t do that. My religious beliefs.

[@viadharmawheel]

@@shadowfilm7980 Religious beliefs... AKA made up stories. Follow your own path my friend...

[@juanestopinan3250]

@@shadowfilm7980suicide won’t send you to hell,there’s only one sin that will….rejecting the personal free gift of salvation (justification)that God provided through the death of his Son on the cross. Believe (trust in)place your confidence on)the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved

[@dorfone]

I live in Canada. We don't pay anything for health care. We would never see a bill like this. Your American system is insane!!

[@franceshaeberli184]

Wow a great video -- I wish you would speak a little more slowly so that I could absorb the information better... it is just a tiny bit fast.

[@Theretirementnerds]

Thank you for watching! We're working on that :)

[@salrc8352]

You can set your playback speed at 75% for fast talkers!

[@Emmy-J]

When I first turned 65 and got on medicare I spoke with an insurance advisor and she said since I had no health issues to get the BCBS advantage plan. Unfortunately a year late I was diagnosed with stage 1 breast cancer. I had heard that advantage plans were bad after I had signed up for it and was afraid I was going to be stuck with a huge medical bill. I had 3 biopsies and several mamms and a ct scan. They did a lumpectomy and 4 weeks radiation and I only paid $500 out of pocket.I was shocked and very glad that was all I had to pay seeing that I have heard of people owing thousand in medical bills.

[@Theretirementnerds]

Thank you so much for sharing this. A lot of fear mongering out there.

[@kathryncashner3294]

I was in much the same situation--diagnosed with cancer at age 66. Because I had a supplement plan, I was able to go to a very famous cancer center which happened to be located near my daughter. I cannot begin to tell you the difference between this place and the local facilities in my area. My total costs were my supplement premiums of about $2K per year, and because my treatment was in part of 2 years, 2 plan G deductibles of about $2K each. I'm hoping that my check up visits will be reduced to annually after my upcoming visit, but the testing at those visits alone are very costly. I Have NO regret about a supplement plan and the ability to choose my doctors and facility. Obviously these costs did not include the flight to stay with my daughter or the hospital parking fees

[@Theretirementnerds]

Thank you for sharing your perspective Kathryn!

[@KathieTracy]

People should not feel like they need to "battle" until they're broke. Doctors need to be more forthcoming about a patients prognosis

[@richardray1110]

If I assume a person is paying appropriately $2000 a year for say 10 years prior to their illness for a supplemental plan vs $0 for an Advantage plan, then you left out $20,000 in expenses.

[@Theretirementnerds]

Definitely a consideration. I think you’d like this video if you haven’t seen it already: kzbin.info/www/bejne/epjThJKIoaZnnc0

[@tommytomhan]

The supplemental policy gives you peace of mind. Pay the monthly insurance and you are done. I have an F plan which has no co-pays or deductibles. F is no longer available but G is close to it.

[@richardray1110]

​@@tommytomhanlife is a crap shoot but I don't buy extended warranties either.

[@tommytomhan]

​@richardray1110 But the fact is that as we age the bad times will likely come around sooner or later and when you don't have to deal with bills it will make life much easier. Much different scope than extended warranties, I don't buy those either.

[@Fazak38]

​@tommytomhan The newly arrived border invaders get everything for free, no questions asked. Whilst Americans stress themselves to death wondering who will help them.

[@gecko2000405]

You pay all your life, just to pay more.

[@miriambertram2448]

What you pay for Medicare payroll taxes is nothing compared with the benefits. As a self employed person I paid both sides ie 2x what you did.

[@gecko2000405]

@@miriambertram2448 Good for you. My mother and many others never lived long enough to see the benefits. The Medicaid portion needs to be removed from the system. It should be -pay-in/pay-out.

[@lc4011]

Oh, gosh, I am so sorry for your mother's suffering before her passing. Bless you for sharing this information - bless you! I've subscribed!

[@Theretirementnerds]

Thank you so much 🙏

[@pattyd8480]

My heartfelt sympathy to you on the loss of your beautiful mom. 💗 Thank you for this detailed explanation.

[@Theretirementnerds]

Thank you! 🙏💓