Humana insurance

[RickN]

If any of you are on Humana Medicare part C and maybe other plans. Check the Humana pharmacy website. You can get $25 a quarter in over the counter supplies like vitamins, etc. The wife and I both get it so $200 a year in free stuff. You can also get your diabetic testing supplies for free.

You might also qualify for a program called Medicare 360 or something like that. You get paid for going to church, the gym, going to test the doctors order, etc. Our rep signed the wife up this week and they are sending her a $100 gift card. He is going to sign me up next week.

 

[TerryMiller]

We learned a lesson with Medicare. While in Colorado, I signed up with United Healthcare for a Medicare Advantage plan.

Come to find out, when we moved to Oregon, that insurance was useless. It was ONLY valid in Colorado, and since we live in an RV and travel some, we changed back to regular Medicare and took out a supplement through USAA. When the wife reached 65, we signed her up in pretty much the same way.

Point is, ask if one's Medicare coverage is good in all states if one is traveling for any reason.

 

[RickN]

We learned a lesson with Medicare. While in Colorado, I signed up with United Healthcare for a Medicare Advantage plan.

Come to find out, when we moved to Oregon, that insurance was useless. It was ONLY valid in Colorado, and since we live in an RV and travel some, we changed back to regular Medicare and took out a supplement through USAA. When the wife reached 65, we signed her up in pretty much the same way.

Point is, ask if one's Medicare coverage is good in all states if one is traveling for any reason.

Good advise and I will check into it. We never travel but you never know.

 

[dennishoddy]

We do travel a lot, so that is a question I'll be asking as this is enrollment period.

 

[JD8]

We learned a lesson with Medicare. While in Colorado, I signed up with United Healthcare for a Medicare Advantage plan.

Come to find out, when we moved to Oregon, that insurance was useless. It was ONLY valid in Colorado, and since we live in an RV and travel some, we changed back to regular Medicare and took out a supplement through USAA. When the wife reached 65, we signed her up in pretty much the same way.

Point is, ask if one's Medicare coverage is good in all states if one is traveling for any reason.

That's because Medicare Advantage isn't Medicare. It's private insurance and is garbage. Essentially, Medicare contracts our your coverage to a private carrier. You're lucky you switched back while you could. Medicare part A & B is good in all 50 states wherever Medicare is accepted, which is like 80% + of the facilities out there, and thus your supplemental is as well. Supplemental acts as secondary insurance, they pay what Medicare tells them to.

 

[dennishoddy]

That's because Medicare Advantage isn't Medicare. It's private insurance and is garbage. Essentially, Medicare contracts our your coverage to a private carrier. You're lucky you switched back while you could. Medicare part A & B is good in all 50 states wherever Medicare is accepted, which is like 80% + of the facilities out there, and thus your supplemental is as well. Supplemental acts as secondary insurance, they pay what Medicare tells them to.

Good catch. The light didn't go on when he mentioned Medicare Advantage. Sounds like a wonderful thing on the TV, but my DR told me to stay away from it.

 

[RickN]

That's because Medicare Advantage isn't Medicare. It's private insurance and is garbage. Essentially, Medicare contracts our your coverage to a private carrier. You're lucky you switched back while you could. Medicare part A & B is good in all 50 states wherever Medicare is accepted, which is like 80% + of the facilities out there, and thus your supplemental is as well. Supplemental acts as secondary insurance, they pay what Medicare tells them to.

It has done great for us, especially since the rule changes this year. Out of over a quarter million dollars in medical expenses for me this year, we have had to pay about $600 total so far. We may get a bill for around $3000 but have not gotten it yet so I am not sure. Even with it less than $5000 for those whole mess is a steal, plus all the little extras they keep giving.

The plan has no monthly premiums or deductible. No supplemental expense either. We do have a copay for doc visits, test and meds but it is not bad at all. Not really any higher than A & B. Heck when I got out of the hospital Humana even sent me 10 microwave meals just in case I or the wife did not feel up to cooking. We also get free gym membership. They really try to keep you healthy, mainly so they do not have to pay out as much but it is the smart way to do business. There has not been anything they have refused to pay including home health. Well they did refuse to pay for me going to a rehab place the first time I left the hospital but it was because they did not think I was healthy enough. Turns out they were right.

 

[dennishoddy]

It has done great for us, especially since the rule changes this year. Out of over a quarter million dollars in medical expenses for me this year, we have had to pay about $600 total so far. We may get a bill for around $3000 but have not gotten it yet so I am not sure. Even with it less than $5000 for those whole mess is a steal, plus all the little extras they keep giving.

The plan has no monthly premiums or deductible. No supplemental expense either. We do have a copay for doc visits, test and meds but it is not bad at all. Not really any higher than A & B. Heck when I got out of the hospital Humana even sent me 10 microwave meals just in case I or the wife did not feel up to cooking. We also get free gym membership. They really try to keep you healthy, mainly so they do not have to pay out as much but it is the smart way to do business. There has not been anything they have refused to pay including home health. Well they did refuse to pay for me going to a rehab place the first time I left the hospital but it was because they did not think I was healthy enough. Turns out they were right.

Isn't Humana different than Medicare Advantage?

 

[RickN]

Isn't Humana different than Medicare Advantage?

No. It is a Medicare Advantage plan offered thru Humana. So far the wife and I really like it outside of all the constant phone calls reminding us to refill meds, make this doc visit, etc. I am sure they are sorry they signed me up with all these expenses but tough. I am sure the government is paying them enough.

 

[JD8]

It has done great for us, especially since the rule changes this year. Out of over a quarter million dollars in medical expenses for me this year, we have had to pay about $600 total so far. We may get a bill for around $3000 but have not gotten it yet so I am not sure. Even with it less than $5000 for those whole mess is a steal, plus all the little extras they keep giving.

The plan has no monthly premiums or deductible. No supplemental expense either. We do have a copay for doc visits, test and meds but it is not bad at all. Not really any higher than A & B. Heck when I got out of the hospital Humana even sent me 10 microwave meals just in case I or the wife did not feel up to cooking. We also get free gym membership. They really try to keep you healthy, mainly so they do not have to pay out as much but it is the smart way to do business. There has not been anything they have refused to pay including home health. Well they did refuse to pay for me going to a rehab place the first time I left the hospital but it was because they did not think I was healthy enough. Turns out they were right.

I don't doubt they want you to go to the gym, they don't want to pay and certain carriers have been sued because of this. In fact Cigna got kicked out of the pool not too long ago, and multiple lawsuits have been filed in Florida on various carriers for restricting patient access to care.

Typically, where people see the issues is when they get really sick and need specialists. Usually with cardiovascular or cancer issues. I remember when I did benefits that one of my first clients almost died because he had an aggressive case of prostate cancer and he needed to go to the Mayo to get treatment. His Advantage plan said they wouldn't pay for it and he needed to get treatment locally/in network. In which the doctors locally were the ones saying he needed to go. He went and paid out of pocket. Another client I worked with had to be put on dialysis, it was a nightmare dealing with his MA plan to get approval to go to get it done closer to where he lived. If you need a type of drug that's off the beaten path? Good luck. I have horror stories for days.

In contrast.... for $3000-5000 you could have the best coverage money could buy for a senior. Traditional Medicare + Plan F or G and plenty of money left over for a gym membership and nearly 0 out of pocket expense. Couple that with the fact you can go wherever Medicare is accepted and aren't managed by limited networks and benefits and you don't have near the same co-pays and deductibles. I mean if you're hitting your out of pocket max what's the point? Why pay more in the end to limit your coverage?

Good luck, I'm glad it's working for you, but for many that eventually get sick, it does not.