Do you ever feel like you're being eaten out of house and home? House taxes and house insurance paid recently were a big chunk. Also went to the dentist and I need more work done which will cost dearly. Too bad I couldn't get all the money back that I paid for health insurance that I didn't use up to age 65. Judging from the graph below at about age 55, I should have moved to another country.
Then a couple of weeks ago I had to go to the eye doctor because I got a floater in my left eye which started getting larger. Next I was seeing a flashing light and thought it might be a detached retina. So far it isn't. I paid $45 copay at the time of the visit and thought that would be it. But no, I just got the itemization of the bill. The total bill was $455. Medicare paid $43.96. The Medicare write off amount was $233.32. Now I still owe the doctor the remaining amount of $132.22. Why was my deductible more than what Medicare paid?
I also have another appointment to see the eye doctor next week to see if my eye has gotten any worse. I already have money deducted from my retirement for Medicare and I also pay $20 each month for drug coverage. I should have signed up for a Medicare Supplement and paid for that but couldn't afford any more each month. Maybe next year.
Last year with the Affordable Healthcare Act I paid a premium each month but had a $6000 deductible. That was the least expensive coverage I could get. When I had to be seen for my knee I paid about $1200 out of my pocket. I would have been better off paying the penalty and not having health coverage. I can't afford to go to the doctor but I can't afford not to go. All the plans I had for entering art shows this year just flew out the window. Save your money, you're going to need it. Thanks for reading and for all your comments.
I belong to Humana PPO and my premium is $39 per month. I pay zero to my PCP and $35 to a specialist. And a small copayment for drugs at the pharmacy.
ReplyDeleteDavid has Humana HMO, and pays zero for premium, zero for PCP, and $25 for a specialist. He gets all of his medications through mail order for free.
Look into Humana Medicare Advantage.
Hi Gigi, thanks, I'll check into it, should have done this in advance. ugh.
ReplyDeleteIt's different in each state...and only some plans are going to cover some things. Linda I have been on straight Medicare for the last year rather than an Advantage plan, and paid for a Drug plan separate. It covered my hospital expenses when I pneumonia, as well as a lot of costs for tests and docs. Dental care is the pits for us elders. No doubt about it. There's also a deductable for Medicare which is absolutely silly...the first doc. visit of the year charges it in addition to the co-pay. So sorry you're having the January financial blues. I know the feeling!
ReplyDeleteHi Barbara, thanks, I am like you this year but I think the advantage plan may help and any dental plan wants me to pay for two years before I get coverage, ugh. I'll have to read the Medicare book and talk to the doctor and see if they can up the diagnosis for Medicare can cover more.
DeleteIt sucks to get old! Did the flashing light last only about a half hour to an hour and go away or is still there? Jeff and I get ocular migraines and they start with an arc of twinkling or flashing lights in the corner of our vision, then get larger and within an hour they are usually gone. I am hoping that is what you experienced, they are benign, but annoying and scary.
ReplyDeleteHi Michele, thanks, not the light flashes in the dark when I move my eye all the time related to the floater in the eye which got bigger than a floater and is now a half moon size.
Deleteshould be no - the light flashes all the time when I am in the dark but looks dark when I am in the light.
Deletescary stuff! i hope there is a fix for it.
DeleteAre you avoiding art shows for lack of money or health? If the former, please try one, to earn enough to start the process.
ReplyDeleteHi Joanne, thanks, the money aspect, all of the shows need the money up front and they don't even start till the summer, if you don't get in early, you don't get in at all.
DeleteSigh. Health costs suck. Dentistry is a big issue here. It isn't covered by our national scheme, and the private funds contribute a pittance.
ReplyDeleteHi Elephant's Child, thanks, dental and vision are not covered here and it seems those are needed the most in old age and they cost the most. no private funds here, ugh.
ReplyDeleteAlways! That's why I always eat at home! :)
ReplyDeleteHi Lee, thanks, yes me too, less expensive that way, cooking a pot of black beans just now.
ReplyDelete