on 11/18/05 8:46 PM, BobbyJim wrote: > I see no point on going on Medicare.
I'm surprised your employer does not require it. From the employer's viewpoint, Medicare is a way to get the government to pick up 80% of the costs instead of the insurance company and thereby the entity paying for the insurance. I am lucky. My employer, Digital Equipment Corporation, was acquired by Compaq which in turn was acquired by HP. [I've been retired for 13 years.] My primary insurance is Medicare, my secondary UHC.UHC hides behind Medicare, so, in effect, I have no secondary until I hit major medical, which I did for three years or so. I'm a happy puppy. I go to any physician or specialist I choose, so I get good care. Don't get me going about the years I was victim to HMO's. There are downsides to Medicare. Some physicians will not accept Medicare assignment. It doesn't matter if they at least submit the paperwork to Medicare. If they don't, you have to do a lot of paperwork. I had a few expenses over the years where I had to submit the papers myself; in every case I failed to do so in time and ate the charges. [I've got a problem that way.] Also, Medicare does not cover expenses outside the country. Alton, who keeps detailed spread sheets on medical expenses
