what is the best medical and drug coverage with medicare???

Answer 1

Medicare is a complicated insurance program and it is best to devote time to carefully review what Medicare options are available in your state and where you live. While "traditional Medicare" will provide similar medical benefits for beneficiaries throughout the United States, some areas of the country have HMOs and other types of Medicare plans that differ from traditional Medicare. If you live in one of these locations, you have options.

The new Medicare Part D prescription drug benefit is structured like a catastrophic insurance policy. Many seniors who are not taking a lot of medications now, don't think it's a good deal for them. Added to this, there are lots of different companies with lots of different kinds of plans--this can make selecting one of these plans very confusing! If it brings you any comfort, you are not alone in asking questions about this benefit.

There are lots of folks saying that Part D is "not much help." You will want to find out whether this is true for your situation or not. To answer this depends on several factors, including what kinds of prescription drugs you take, what kind of plan you want to pay for and are willing to accept, and whether the plan you want will pay for the specific prescription drugs you need. The way Part D of Medicare is structured is definitely not a "one size fits every senior" deal. Each individual--even husbands and wives--needs to go through the process to determine what plan is going to meet their needs and will be the "best deal,"

After looking at the Medicare Part D plans available in your state, you may determine that at this time it does not pay to enroll in a Medicare Part D plan. While this may be true, you also need to speculate on whether the costs of your medications will escalate in the future. This is because for every month after May 15, 2006 that eligible Medicare beneficiaries opt not to participate, the federal government will apply a 1 % (one percent) a month penalty. So, for example, if you were eligible for Medicare in May 2006 and decided not to enroll in May and waited until November, you will pay a five percent higher premium on this benefit for the rest of your life than the person who enrolled in a plan in May 2006.

I do not know about the plan benefits where you live--but I can tell you that if you live in the USA or one of its territories, there are objective professionals not far from where you are who can help you sort out your options based on what you need and want so you can make the best decisions possible--the folks at your Area Agency on Aging.

Area Agencies on Aging are one of the best kept secrets around for seniors and caregivers who need information about consumer issues including Medicare and Medicare Part D . They work with a lot of seniors everyday, so they are great resources who probably know the "scoop" on the different plans. (And they are not trying to sell you anything!) So, you might consider calling your local Area Agency on Aging. If you live in the United States or one of the territories, there is one serving your area. You can call toll-free 1-800-677-1116 to find how to contact the one serving you. Each Area Agency on Aging has professionals available to answer questions like this one. You will most likely find the people there friendly and very helpful.

When you confer with these folks, and want to know about Medicare Part D plans, it is important to know the name of the drug that you're taking, the dosage required and the pharmacy that you prefer to do business with. All of these are factors you'll need to determine the best plan.

If you do contact your local Area Agency on Aging and like the help that they give you, let your local county officials and your folks in Congress know. Area Agencies on Aging are funded through the Older Americans Act and don't have big budgets for advertising and certainly don't have large budgets for the work they do. Also I know they would appreciate your voluntary contribution to help them support their work with other folks like you --although a contribution is certainly not required for you to get the help you need.

I hope this helps! Best wishes and good luck!

Answer 2

My parents signed up for Humana...they are regretting that decision as Humana won't pay for anything now.