Hi Laurie, I found out the hard way that Medicare is ALWAYS primary. I too, tried to keep my COBRA & Medicare, but when I went to get a MRI, they told me that Medicare was primary. When I tried to get back my COBRA payments, they wouldn't return the payments and didn't want to pay for my medications for that month. So, I had to tell them either return my COBRA payments or pay for my medications, which are over $3,000 a month. They paid for the medications. Thanks goodness. I don't remember what Part B is. I do think you will need Part D for medications. Since you already using Blue Cross and you like them. I would stay with them with Part D. I would talk to Blue Cross to see they can help you find a plan that works for you. Hope this helps a little, Todd in CC, TX
--- On Tue, 8/4/09, Laurie Zissimos <lziss...@aol.com> wrote: From: Laurie Zissimos <lziss...@aol.com> Subject: Fwd: [TMIC] healthcare To: tmic-list@eskimo.com Date: Tuesday, August 4, 2009, 5:46 PM see below -----Original Message----- From: Laurie Zissimos <lziss...@aol.com> To: rn11...@yahoo.com Sent: Tue, Aug 4, 2009 6:31 pm Subject: Re: [TMIC] healthcare Maybe you can help me. I was diagnosed with TM in Dec 2005 and went on SSDI a year and a half later. This September I have to enroll in Medicare and I don't know whether or not to get Part B/D at this time. I am on my husband's COBRA until January unless I file for an extension which I may do since I have that option being disabled. It's pretty expensive, but Its Blue Cross and they have covered almost all of my medical exp since the diagnosis. Our Blue Cross plan is a PPO so we don't need precerts/pre auths. It makes it much easier seeing specialists. He also has another plan through a part time employer but I don't think the benies are that great. My first question is whether or not I should sign up for Part B, Part B Advantaged, or Part B and D. I am trying not to lose the BlueCross, but I also don't know which of the new health coverages would be primary, secondary! or other. Is Medicare always considered primary or is it secondary?? Laurie -----Original Message----- From: rn11...@yahoo.com <rn11...@yahoo.com> To: tmic-list@eskimo.com Sent: Tue, Aug 4, 2009 6:14 pm Subject: [TMIC] healthcare Hi, I have been on social security disability since 1996,5 months after getting tm.I was 49 (now I'm 63).I have a medicare hmo health plan.I have had this since cobra ran out.I pay $173 a month.My dr visits are $10,a specialist $20.I have a deductable of $100 per day if hospitalized (for the 1st 8 days).It also includes the part d to help pay for meds,but I get many of my meds at walmart for $10 for a 90 day supply.The others I get for 90 days through express scripts.I'm sure that on Jan 1st the cost will go up and the benefits will change. I pay out of pocket over $4000 a year for insurance and meds.Thank God I had long term disability insurance when tm hit me.I get a total of 60% of what I was earning in 1995. I live in Mass.,where you must have some type of medical insurance,or you pay a penalty when you file taxes.My ex husband paid $600 this year for not having health insurance last year. I finally got him to get medicare when he turned 65 in March.Now if I could convince him to insure his house! Well,I don't post often,but I'm sure wordy when I do! My best wishes to everyone, Cheryl in HOT Easthampton,MA.
