I think you have gotten some terrible advice about what is involved when you and your wife go onto Medicare. It doesn’t have to be anything like what you describe.
That is how it is according to on line sources and my insurance company and hers,that’s Health Spring and Blue Cross-Blue Shield. BCBS is the only source we have found that offers as low a co-pay as $600 including several Part C arrangements. If you knw more, please share. This looks onerous from here. As soon as she loses her heretofore school plan coverage of 30 plus years she is told she has a “pre-existing condition.”