Rise in Medicare Rates - True or False?

Septemeber 28, 2012 | Vanity

[yetidog]

Received this email and if true, needs to be forwarded to everyone you know.

[yetidog]

A Message From Blue Cross Blue Shield To ALL AMERICANS .. ...November 6, 2012 will be the most important date that will affect the rest of your life .. The Choice Is Yours. A message from Blue Cross Blue Shield

Professor Emeritus John W. Hill, JD, PhD Kelley School of Business , Indiana University

MEDICARE Look clearly at the 2014 rate compared to the 2013 rate.

For those of you who are on Medicare, read the following. It's short, but important and you probably haven't heard about it in the Mainstream News:

"The per person Medicare Insurance Premium will increase from the present Monthly Fee of $96.40, rising to:

$104.20 in 2012

$120.20 in 2013

And $247.00 in 2014." These are Provisions incorporated in the Obamacare Legislation, purposely delayed so as not to confuse the 2012 Re-Election Campaigns. Send this to all Seniors that you know, so they will know who's throwing them under the bus.

[berdie]

later

[Burlem]

I heard today that if you have Medicare Advantage now, it will not be available in 2013.

[stocksthatgoup]

"$247.00 in 2014."

[P3_Acoustic]

Received same. Researched it. Urban legend!

[TomGuy]

Snopes says FALSE

http://www.snopes.com/politics/medical/medicare.asp

[lonestar]

I just got a booklet encouraging me to join Medicare Advantage.

[TomGuy]

Medicare Advantage will continue for 2013 [Obama needed the votes, so Medicare Advantage was extended].

However, after 2013, it may undergo significant changes or cease altogether. It will up to the politicians to keep it or end it sometime in 2013 before enrollment period for 2014.

Note that individual states have different plans. Thus, the Medicare Advantage plans that will be available for 2013 in your state may differ from 2012 and/or differ from other state offerings.

[Burlem]

ok, hope so, someone called a talk show saying they rec’d a letter from medicare Advantage telling them it will not be available.

I am just passing on what I heard, we have traditional medicare. so not first hand info.

[TomGuy]

I just got a booklet encouraging me to join Medicare Advantage.

Check the plans available in your state. Medicare Advantage tends to offer more than regular Medicare. Medicare Advantage has many preventive exams, etc., that they pay for.

Note, if you have yet to sign up for any Medicare/Medicare Advantage:

You MUST sign up for an approved drug plan. That plan could be a private or company or Medicare approved plan. If you do NOT, you will be assessed a penalty. That penalty will increase each year you are NOT a member of an approved plan. If you never join Medicare/Medicare Advantage, no problem. If you EVER join Medicare, that penalty will be added to your drug plan premium at the time and will continue as long as you are on Medicare.

[Probably, similar penalty provisions will be added to regular insurance/Medicare under Obamacare.]

[TomGuy]

someone called a talk show saying they rec’d a letter from medicare Advantage telling them it will not be available.

Medicare Advantage plans vary from state to state. Some state may not even participate. Plans also vary from year to year, as new plan companies may be added, and existing plan companies may opt to drop out.

Medicare Advantage WILL continue for 2013 in most states. However, individual plans may differ, be added, or drop out.

[GrannyK]

Sign in hubby’s doctor office says he does not accept Medicare Advantage.

[Sir Napsalot]

"Shut up! Everybody gets a FREE colonoscopy courtesy of Obama." - O'Biden

Biden promotes free colonoscopies to seniors in Florida

[TomGuy]

The “Medicare and You” bulletin for 2013 will show what Medicare Plans and Prescription Drug Plans are available to individual recipients.

Also, be sure to check with your Doctor to make sure he/she accepts the plan you want. Do NOT depend on the ‘provider’ information on the plan’s website.

The Medicare and You booklet usually is published for early-mid October.

Some information in the 2013 booklet is online:

https://www.medicare.gov/medicare-and-you/medicare-and-you.html

[jersey117]

Bookmark

[fatnotlazy]

I do know my supplemental insurance will go from $205 to $236 per month and copays will increase.

[Rappini]

Snopes is also a liberal outfit on the left coast.

[tcat]

Yes Snopes knows everything there is to know. I don’t know why people buy into that! I don’t know if it is true or not, but that snopes is used as the ultimate authority is ridicules.

[Burlem]

Thanks Tom, yes I know. I did not mean to imply I wanted Medicare Advantage, I was trying to alert other folks who might have it.

[lonestar]

I now have regular Medicare parts A & B and I'm not inclined to change. I would prefer to go to the docs I choose. I was told if you go to a doctor who does not take medicare, all you do is send the bills to medicare yourself for reimbursement.

The booklet I got trying to get me into Advantage came from my retirement group. My drug plan is with them also.

It's all useless if we are too old to get more than a pain pill anyway!

They should ask us which death panel we want to be on! LOL!