Medicare & You: Ways to Save Money

[@PaulaShirley-s1k]

Trying to set up an account why you can't just can't set up anaccount

[@lidiatinelli4262]

Extra help with Medicare payment

[@patriciachalifoux6446]

I applied for MSP and have not heard any outcome. This was a couple months ago just before the virus changed everyone’s life . I understand if there is a delay, but wouldn’t I hear something one way or another?

[@SharonThoboisluvtolive]

yes, a world wide virus pandemic have effected every single human being from dec 2019 coming at us like scientist's have TRIED TO WARM US HUMAN BEINGS WITH THE BRAINS OUR CREATOR BLESSED US WITH, ARE USELESS IN CRITICAL THINKING OR ANY SIGN OF COMMON SENSE, ENDING AMERICAN DEMOCRACY BY REPUBLICANS ACTIONS, OF CRITICAL DUPLICITY. SAVE OUR GOVERNMENT CONSTITUTION BEFORE TREASONOUS, TRAITORISTS, LEADERSHIPS OF THE REPUBLICAN PARTY ENDING RULE OF RULE OF LAW FOR REPUBLICANS REFUSE TO FOLLOW. CLINTONS TESTIFIED BY THEIR OATH AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THEIR ELECTED PROMISES. VOTE BLUE TO REIN IN RED DOMESTIC TERRORISM.

[@jeanreynolds1425]

Does not apply now.

[@scott7008]

HEALTH CARE : Europe vs America WHATS IN IT FOR THE GOVERNMENTs and THE PATIENTS and why EUROPE WINS European system costs 11% of GDP against 19% in the USA EU HEALTH CARE IS ALL INCLUDED THE USA NOT & WHY SO COMPLICATED??? USA life expectancy is 42th in the world on the world ratings. WHATS IN IT FOR THE EU PATIENT? If you pay taxes, as an individual, and contribute to the central government “POT” (the community POT of money). You are covered for all treatment, hospital costs, surgery, drugs, implants, chemo, post op therapies, cost of prescribed drugs, specialist and normal GP doctors bills, specialist bills etc etc. (There are some small exceptions.) You dont have to look at the small print of coverage. Its all included, pocket your credit card.. you dont need it. You dont have to pay in advance NO Paperwork The system is rated as better than the American system as nobody is excluded and the system covers 99% of all patient needs. THE EUROPEAN SYSTEM: HOW IT WORKS: All european health systems are government run and are simple systems . It is a central, run by the govenment covering all healthcare needs for the population and is non profit , universal, and also internationally recognised between all EU countries. The EU underlying system is through fiscal residency of a person, (ie you pay into the employment tax system of the country you live and into health system, if you are registered or unemployed you are covered) Simply put, each person pays into the THE GOVENMENT POT as a % of individual pay packet contributions where you are employed Importantly even if you are unemployed, but registered, you control illegal immigration. Illegals get no benefits, unless humanitarian emergency. Importantly you are still covered. you as a patient get equal rights and coverage across Europe. The EU system is state run, and covers everyone, from birth to death and costs half of the USA system. Therefore in the USA a % of the health cost is based on profit to be paid out in dividends. Additionallly not all people in the USA are covered, (approximately 15%) Its a Bum deal for Americans. It costs 8-9% of GDP more than Europe HOW IT IS MANAGED: In America USA, the health system is profit run for the most part and privately handled. Patient care is secondary to profit for 50% of coverage. The European state (country) is the employer of all health staff, doctors, nurses, etc. Central government then covers the hospitals costs through a system which keeps the hospitals covered for the expenses of each patient. If we compare the EU to the USA structure in terms of cost to GDP, Europe average 11% of GDP to the USA 20% of GDP, (2019) with the EU at 99% coverage and with improved life expectancy rate, compared to the USA. Central Government in each country collects the money through the taxes you pay as a citizen, and redistributes it (generally) to regions ,hospitals, and doctors etc which then distributes the funds to the health system used by the patient. The Government also allows the private sector to operate under the public system, to build hospitals, run them privately. Each country allows this in different rules, like Germany/UK/France etc. They are then licence them to operate by the government. But importantly, the patient who pays to the state contributions through his salary, has equal rights to access all hospitals. 10-15 % of the EU health system is private If you wish to pay an additional supplement to the state system, you are allowed to do this into to the private scheme on top of your mandatory state payments so you get private health care coverage. But you cannot opt out of the central system or add to it. Most of people dont have the means or desire to pay private insurance policies. So the state system is better for them. WHATS THE BENEFIT Basically the EU system covers 99% of people and costs the half of the USA system. In addition to this, with the EU system, if you pay contributions to the health system in the UK or France, you can have full medical care in other countries , Germany, Italy, Hungary or any other of the 27 states etc. If you lose your job, you will still be covered. you just pay less to the system as unemployment reimbusement to you is less, so you pay less, but the more you earn at work, the more you contribute to the central system. Its based on % of earnings. These European systems are based on the old and original UK system, The National Health Service, abbreviated to NHS, was launched by the then Minister of Health in Attlee's post-war government, Aneurin Bevan, at the Park Hospital in Manchester. Aneurin Bevan, Minister of Health, on the first day of the National Health Service, 5 July 1948 at Park Hospital, Davyhulme, near Manchester. THE REAL ISSUE 1. EU Health is non political, non profit, more efficient and cheaper that the USA system, 2. BETTER in many ways, as the patient is first, and health has no “profit COST”. 3. It reduces the cost to the Government. (11% against the USA 20% per year GDP) 4. Its not fragmented. Its coverage is national, and for all. 5. If you are REGISTERED as a TAX payer, you have no problems. 6. If you are clandestine, then you get some emergency humanitarian services only. Thus the authorities know who you are and send you home after. Thanks for the comments!!!!

[@SharonThoboisluvtolive]

THANK YOU FOR DETAILS OF CONFUSING SUBJECTS OF YOUR KNOWLEDGE AND PATIENTS AND WISDOM, WHICH I PERSONALLY GRATEFUL FOR YOUR TIME YOU TOOK TO ADD TO THE DISCUSSION. YOU ARE A GOOD PERSON, THANK YOU.

[@gregsimpson621]

They give you Medicaid assistance on income which I qualify. But if you have anything in a 401K or IRA your screwed. But you can own a home and get help. I lost my house to avoid bankruptcy so I now don't own a home. But because I have an IRA, nothing. And I spend $1,000 out of pocket for prescriptions WITH a prescription plan. So a person can own a million dollar house and get all kinds of assistance.

[@MultiHeyhey101]

Greg Simpson this is true about home ownership..but we don't have retirements..so I can't speak to that

[@gregsimpson621]

+Val Gropp Yes but it isn't right! Maybe I should have filed bankruptcy and then I would have a beautiful home with equity. And then bought a truly nice vehicle. Everything paid for with only cash at home. Then I would qualify for Medicaid, which would make my Medicare premium, free prescription care, etc. I've seen it done all the time. In reality, which I didn't realize until being forced into retirement, is to save only cash and live in the moment. Then you get all types of assistance. I see single parents all the time refusing to work more than 30 hours a week. Their 2 kids get free doctor care, meds, glasses, etc. They get subsidized housing, reduced utilities, food stamps, get 100% of their taxes back plus another $10,000 in EIC. And besides all that, they are getting child support which is tax free to them. Putting a pencil to it, they are getting the equivalent of $80,000 a year although work part time and their gross income is $20,000. Adjusted gross is like $2,000. I pay a lifetime penalty for not signing up for prescription coverage. And that's not right because two expensive medication's were not covered by any Medicare prescription plan per the Social Security website! The website said my annual expense would be $19,840, including doctor visits. So how could I afford a plan and pay a monthly premium on top of that? I can't. But if you were or are responsible and save for retirement, you can end up like me and not have a home. All it takes is like $4,000 to be ineligible. But having a $1,000,000 home is okay. Real fair.

[@gregsimpson621]

+Greg Simpson Every job I had, was 60+ hours a week. Even in high school as they didn't have child labor laws.

[@bskerrett1]

Greg, It depends on what your who much you have in your IRA. You might want to look a different drug plan during the next AEP. There are plans that cover the Gap/donut hole. www.billskerrett.com

[@gregsimpson621]

bskerrett1 I review plans every year. One of my expense medications is now covered. But in November 2015, for a Medicare Prescription plan, I was with United Healthcare. The last day an agent sold me on this plan which was $20 a month more but zero dedictiables or the typical $350 out of pocket. So I thought that was a good deal. And he said my coverage would be the same. Then I find out this particular better plan moved all my prescriptions to a higher tier, almost doubling my monthly cost every month. Got to like their "business integrity"! Tell me.....what exactly is the difference between owning a home that has say $300,000 resale value and not owning a home with $300,000 in an IRA? My home would be paid off but now I have rental payments where the homeowner doesn't. So I'm paying $1,000 a month on rent where the homeowner pays zero. So right out of the gate, they have $1,000 a month more than me, say from social security. But I'm penalized because I believe bankruptcy is morally wrong. So why the difference because in all reality, we have the exact same net worth. Why???

[@O4Dwaine]

When your subject is Medicare: don't talk about Medicaid….

[@mhamilton5803]

Depending on your state, you can actually have both and/or have Medicaid pay your monthly premium. It depends on your income and value of assets

[@bettiepagegirl58]

Medicaid is what pays for your Medicare savings program. It gave nme an extra 140.00 a month. A big help.

[@getkaedixon]

Typically people hear Medicaid with Medicare they may not understand, when Medicaid works in conjunction with Medicare its called the “Medicare Savings Program”. A program designed to specifically help people already on Medicare.

[@MrChoice1210]

Medicare and Medicaid goes hand in hand in very many cases

[@O4Dwaine]

Don’t confuse us - & don’t send us to your site - your site will confuse us more - be specific right-here, right-now…!

[@mariejdidomenico6912]

I wanted to know if you can pay my medicare medical insurance ?

[@harryhightower]

you can have it paid for by Medicaid assistance, check with your state it depends on your income, if you qualify for Medicaid assistance it can pay your medicare payment each month and cover the 20 % at the DR each visits but may not cover drugs but what you do there is get a Drug plan which is usually free in some cases because your covered or get extra help/Medicaid assistance with a copay on the drugs that is usually some thing like 3 to 5 bucks for generic and about 6 to 10 bucks for brand name. medicare medical insurance ? if you mean a medicare advance plan you won't need it if Medicaid becomes your second insurance. I'm on Medicare with a advance plan with extra help i get to much money a month in income to get the full coverage of Medicaid .

[@eliasruiz8220]

@@harryhightower h

[@rosalavigal2330]

Muy satisfecha

[@PaulaShirley-s1k]

To many apps just want to pay my bill stop lying you know you all are dealing with the elderly make it easy

[@rujiabegum9681]

Who pay my doctors visit I have no extra capacity but madicare card I dont no medicate only medicare

[@luzrodriguez4969]

Rujia Begum de