Medico in IN

[Family Man]

I've written Plan N in rural Indiana for some years now and rarely have heard about anyone getting billed for excess charges. Two times, to be exact, and both instances were under $5. Several carriers offer lower rates in Indiana than Medico. Go save them the money.

 

[LostDollar]

I thought you had HDF/HDG. As the Medicare bene ages and their mental alertness declines, one issue with Plan N is the person who assists the bene with keeping their utility bills and grocery bills straight may also have to ensure the Plan N copays get paid (what you call claim paperwork). But HDF/HDG enrollees have the same issue. They may need someone to ensure the 20% coinsurance gets paid until the plan deductible is met.

Regarding excess charges, Medicare and Medigaps send payment for non-par providers not accepting assignment to the patient, not the provider. ALL original Medicare benes pay these providers.

(Caveat, not an agent.)

Yes.

I agree with the concern about paying the claims. I have noticed that strain a bit more in the last couple of years. When I started the process, I just decided, with limited resources, I wanted to control the money myself, and take a chance that I would get to keep some of it.

My worst hater on the forum, a FL agent, considers it a stupid buying decision, in essence because for premiums plus the deductible, I am paying a premium for a very high cost plan F. He touts MAPD, but refuses to accept that the same concept can apply to HDF/HDG, if one has relatively good health and small quantities of medical treatment needs.

I no longer remember my specific numbers, but when I started I think my plan was to go into my early 80's with HDF and then switch to a plan G. At this point I am not sure what I will do. Paying claims is definitely a piece of that because my wife does not like doing claims paperwork and she would have to do it if I can't.

The comment I would make about HDF (or HDG) compared to N, is that the claims paperwork comes at the beginning of the medical year. I pay until I get to something a little less than $2,500 and then the plan pays (as long as it is a Medicare approved cost). That works for me right now. (My oversimplified explanation I use is that I have a first dollar coverage plan, with cost sharing between me and the insurance company. I pay the first $2,500 and then they pay. I have thought of my plan premium as $55 a month, with two years of increases, I probably need to be using $60 now. Those are imprecise rounded numbers that others can find lots of fault with, but again, they work to give me a quick view of what I have. I can always use a search engine and online banking lookups to get the precise numbers if I have to have them).