AUTHOR: Linda Grady on 10/10/2024 FIRST: Ben Rodriguez on 10/10/2024 | RECENT: DrLefty on 10/12/2024
Comments
I don’t remember if Doug and I got a discount when we bought our policies around our 50th birthdays (he was six months older than me), but when he died without using his (and, of course no refund of premiums), I was able to take advantage of a waiver-of-premium benefit on the smaller of the two policies for me. We had purchased the main policy for both of us, plus smaller ones that provided inflation increases on the benefits. So I went from paying for four policies annually to one. The premium has increased a lot, and will continue to do so, but it’s still less than what I understand other people pay, so I’ve decided to stick with it, regardless of the premium increases. The company desperately wants me to accept a cash payout, but I’m not taking it.
Why was I on an MA plan to begin with, you might ask? Doug was on expensive meds that were covered but without him, I switched to a cheaper plan and then, eventually, to Original Medicare.
Before I switched to Original Medicare when my MA plan was discontinued, I was driven crazy by frequent calls asking me to have an RN visit my home to review my medications. I’m a retired RN, currently of sound mind, and on four Tier One meds. Check out my refills, guys, and you will see that I’m taking exactly what I should! The other thing they did, to get to the required 80%, rather than reduce the capitation rate they were charging Medicare, was to send unordered, unwanted boxes of medical supplies, like Band Aids and OTC lozenges, occasionally. The one time I accepted a home visit, just to see if it was a job that I would like to do, the person was an NP. Can you imagine what that home visit was billed at? I know I’ve ranted about this before but five years later, it still bugs me. A money grab.
😂😂😂 C’mon, we know the answer. And the stroll to the cart garage and back adds additional exercise. I also park in the outlying area of my grocery store lots. I alternate between two grocery stores: the one that’s a 10-minute drive and is never busy, plus is clean and provides a nice experience, and the other that is walking distance (I drive if it’s more than I can carry). This one is kind of dark and rundown, also rarely busy, but I feel it’s my duty through my patronage to keep the place open for the day when I may not be able to drive. I often see the same people at both places so I guess I’m not alone in this endeavor.
You’re so right about being able to answer questions quickly and correctly. For me, the most frustrating challenge was the password for our local electric company (a very small one) so I could put the account in my name. To my knowledge, my husband never had a pet, so how could I guess the pet’s name (the clue)? The rep eventually took pity and told me the password. I guess the high security is to protect against vengeful former partners or something.
Thanks for this, Howard. Part of the problem is the confusion between Medicare, for the elderly and disabled, vs. Medicaid, for the poor. Some savvy people manage to deplete their own assets or those of a loved one so that the elderly person qualifies for Medicaid. Former NYS Governor Pataki was disparaged because his mother was found to be living on the taxpayer’s Medicaid dollars in a Skilled Nursing Facility. Legal, but unethical imho.
Comments
I don’t remember if Doug and I got a discount when we bought our policies around our 50th birthdays (he was six months older than me), but when he died without using his (and, of course no refund of premiums), I was able to take advantage of a waiver-of-premium benefit on the smaller of the two policies for me. We had purchased the main policy for both of us, plus smaller ones that provided inflation increases on the benefits. So I went from paying for four policies annually to one. The premium has increased a lot, and will continue to do so, but it’s still less than what I understand other people pay, so I’ve decided to stick with it, regardless of the premium increases. The company desperately wants me to accept a cash payout, but I’m not taking it.
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Link to comment from January 23, 2026
And if you’re the Brian White from Upstate NY, yes, I’m your friend’s mom, though I think you’re probably not that Brian White.
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Link to comment from January 19, 2026
Love your pun intended. I always appreciate a chuckle, and occasionally a laugh out loud first thing in the morning.
Post: Are you and your spouse synchronized?
Link to comment from January 19, 2026
Why was I on an MA plan to begin with, you might ask? Doug was on expensive meds that were covered but without him, I switched to a cheaper plan and then, eventually, to Original Medicare.
Post: How important is planning for Medicare premiums in retirement? VERY!
Link to comment from January 15, 2026
Before I switched to Original Medicare when my MA plan was discontinued, I was driven crazy by frequent calls asking me to have an RN visit my home to review my medications. I’m a retired RN, currently of sound mind, and on four Tier One meds. Check out my refills, guys, and you will see that I’m taking exactly what I should! The other thing they did, to get to the required 80%, rather than reduce the capitation rate they were charging Medicare, was to send unordered, unwanted boxes of medical supplies, like Band Aids and OTC lozenges, occasionally. The one time I accepted a home visit, just to see if it was a job that I would like to do, the person was an NP. Can you imagine what that home visit was billed at? I know I’ve ranted about this before but five years later, it still bugs me. A money grab.
Post: How important is planning for Medicare premiums in retirement? VERY!
Link to comment from January 15, 2026
😂
Post: How important is planning for Medicare premiums in retirement? VERY!
Link to comment from January 15, 2026
You beat me: I only replaced my own cart yesterday at the walking distance supermarket. Remarkably, there were no carts standing idly in the lot.
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Link to comment from January 7, 2026
😂😂😂 C’mon, we know the answer. And the stroll to the cart garage and back adds additional exercise. I also park in the outlying area of my grocery store lots. I alternate between two grocery stores: the one that’s a 10-minute drive and is never busy, plus is clean and provides a nice experience, and the other that is walking distance (I drive if it’s more than I can carry). This one is kind of dark and rundown, also rarely busy, but I feel it’s my duty through my patronage to keep the place open for the day when I may not be able to drive. I often see the same people at both places so I guess I’m not alone in this endeavor.
Post: Grocery Shopping for the Mildly Obsessed
Link to comment from January 6, 2026
You’re so right about being able to answer questions quickly and correctly. For me, the most frustrating challenge was the password for our local electric company (a very small one) so I could put the account in my name. To my knowledge, my husband never had a pet, so how could I guess the pet’s name (the clue)? The rep eventually took pity and told me the password. I guess the high security is to protect against vengeful former partners or something.
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Link to comment from January 5, 2026
Thanks for this, Howard. Part of the problem is the confusion between Medicare, for the elderly and disabled, vs. Medicaid, for the poor. Some savvy people manage to deplete their own assets or those of a loved one so that the elderly person qualifies for Medicaid. Former NYS Governor Pataki was disparaged because his mother was found to be living on the taxpayer’s Medicaid dollars in a Skilled Nursing Facility. Legal, but unethical imho.
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Link to comment from January 4, 2026