Somehow coloring books aren’t my thing either–weren’t when I was a kid and I don’t foresee them becoming something I will like as I age, but who knows?
Supplement or secondary insurance. What is the difference? To medicare part B. Just curious for myself and H.
Ok, she was not interested in the coloring. ‘They have everything I need’, I colored for a while, hoping to entice. Just not interested. Oh well . She did do crafts this am at the AL .
@rockymtnhigh, I believe you have to check the specific terms of the policies. For us, H is keeping his insurance but also bought Medicare A and B. If he wanted a supplementary policy, I think his premium would be lower, but then I’d lose my insurance coverage, as his insurance is a family policy. I think the supplementary policy may not be as comprehensive as his surrender policy is, as to when it applies and what it covers. His current secondary policy also covers medications and avoids having us buy Medicare D for drugs and has no donut hole. Our policy also has an annual threshold–once we reach it, our insurance will pay 100% of our medical bills for the rest of the year. I’m not sure the supplemental policy has the threshold either.
To add confusion, the insurance policy is only secondary to him because he has Medicare and is now retired. When he was working, his insurance was primary. For me, it is my only coverage. For our kids, it was their only coverage as well, until they aged out at 26!
This is very helpful @HImom . We are in exactly the same situation. H just got on Medicare A&B, I am on the regular insurance and D2 is under 26. Our insurance is from me having it and carrying it into retirement with medication coverage too.
My mother had Medicare with their supplement (I thought it was F.) That was well worth the price, covered all sorts of extras- and I will go with the same when I qualify.
Your Dept of Health’s executive office on aging can help you go over the options available to you and what might be best for you, but YOU have to do your own comparison on costs and coverage. They can give you guidance but really can’t know ALL the detaiils about the policy YOUR employer (or your spouse’s employer) has available to you. One warning is that if you allow the coverage from your employer or former employer of yourself or your spouse to lapse or stop having it, you will likely be unable to get it back ever again, so be SURE you know what you are giving up and what you are getting.
For us, it was a no-brainer. Our current insurance provided by H’s former employer is excellent and employer pays 75% of the premium for the rest of my life and H’s. It lets us go to most of the docs in our state and most of the US. It covers our medications. It has a reasonable out of pocket threshold every year and NO lifetime maximum benefit. Neither H nor I intend to ever give up this coverage, even if we could possibly save a few dollars on a cheaper plan. We love the peace of mind and coverage the policy provides and would skimp on other things long before we considered switching this policy.
Unfortunately, it’s my turn now to say my mother passed away today, in her apt at IL. Both unexpected, as she was happy, in full control of her intellect, and her docs felt she was doing well enough. And expected, since her combo of individual medical challenges was pretty tough. She was the sort who was happy with her overall life, would never have wanted to linger long. I don’t know details yet. She was 89, which is young to go, for women in my family.
My brother will meet me in Tucson, later this week. I’ve said my mother was a hoarder. We’ll probably clear out the obvious and store some other things for later decisions. …
Sorry for your loss, LF. May your memories bring you comfort.
If I could, I’d sign up to go just like that.
Sorry for your loss, lf. Wishing you comfort and support. Take good care.
Sorry for your loss, lf. You’re wise to not overwhelm yourself going through all her things immediately. Give yourself time to grieve and process.
@lookingforward sorry to read about your mother’s unexpected passing. Condolences to your family
Lookingforward, I’m so sorry.
Lookingforward, I am so sorry for the loss of your mother
LF, so sorry…
lookingforward, Sending sympathy and strength.
You and your brother can do enough slowly, whatever is right for you.
I am sorry for your loss, unexpected or expected, still hard.
I’m very sorry LF.
So sorry to hear, but glad that it wasn’t painful.
Please take enough time for yourself in these next weeks.
so sorry for your loss LF
Thank you, all. It’s so soon, I don’t now what’s up yet. But I’ve learned so much from this thread, what others have experienced and managed. Again, thanks for being here.