Questions about Medicare?

Question

My mother will be 65 in August and will be filling out the paperwork three months before that. She has cataracts, and will need surgery. She is having some difficulty getting scheduled with the Dr. she is seeing now, so it is likely she will have to change doctors and have the surgery after she becomes elligible for medicare.

My questions:

Does medicare cover preexisting conditions, and if not, could this be an exception b/c she might have to wait to have the surgery anyway?

Also, what % does Medicare typically cover? She will be purchasing supplemental insurance, so can anyone provide some info or advice about that.

Thanks.

D S - She lives in Louisiana, thanks.

Answer 1

Three months prior to her turning 65 and three months after she turns 65, she in the "Open Enrollment" period. As long as she purchases a Medicare Supplement through a Reputable Insurance Co., and not an HMO or PPO, they have to approve and cover her no matter what pre-existing issues she may have. The supplemental plan she needs to get is F. This will cover all of her deductables for Medicare A and B, and she will not receive any bills from Doctors or Hospitals as long as it is for a Medicare covered treatment. Cataracts are covered. As long as Medicare pays, your secondary will pay. She will be covered 100% between Medicare and the Plan F for the surgery. The supplement is the best way to go so that she has no co-pays or deductibles or money out of her pocket except her monthly premium. If she is on many prescriptions, make sure she signs up for the Plan D drug coverage when she is in open enrollment, or she won't be able to sign up until next November 15. Hope that helps. Several good Insurance Co. that offer supplemental are: Bankers Life, AARP, State Farm, Mutual of Omaha

Answer 2

Your mother will receive her Medicare card the month she turns 65 and does not have to qualify; therefore, you do not have to worry about pre-existing conditions. Her supplemental insurance may be a problem for pre-existing conditions - I am not sure about that. Anyway, suppose she gets a bill for $100. Medicare allows $80. Medicare pays 80% of the $80 and her supplemental insurance pays the other 20%. The $20 over what Medicare allows you do NOT have to pay. Good luck with the surgery. Hope this helps.

Answer 3

If she enrolls when first eligible for Medicare, her pre-x will be covered by a supplemental carrier. As required by law.

Ask the doctor now if he'll accept her as a medicare patient.

Answer 4

well the commiecrats are running the asylum in DC now. Who knows wthat those morons will come up with. Part D was bad this new one is probably going to be worse.

Answer 5

What state and county does your mother live in? Insurance varies by state and counties.