[MoonRiver]

For most people, Medicare is critical. Understanding it is a different question and problem.

You might try calling an insurance broker. There are a few that publish videos on youtube and seem to know their stuff. They make a commission if you sign up for an Advantage plan, a Medigap plan, or a drug plan, but I have always found them willing to answer questions.

You also need to check and make sure you can stay on your husbands policy once you are eligible for Medicare. If I remember correctly, I think most policies have a clause asking if a person is eligible for Medicare or other insurance.

If you do have to go on Medicare, make sure you understand the program because your initial plan choice may be almost impossible to change in the future. Because I had my aortic valve replaced, I can't change plans without going through underwriting.

 

[MoonRiver]

Exactly. I wish I could afford the coverage you have but that alone could bankrupt me. My hubs had it a couple of months after he was diagnosed with cancer. Just in the three months before the DX and the two months he didn't have the plan like yours our out of pocket was in the thousands with our Advantage Plan.

Plan F which has been replaced by Plan G and I think Plan N allow you to see any doctor in the country that accepts Medicare, no referral required. When I had my aortic valve replaced, everything was covered. I think my plan costs about $200/month.

I went to Duke University Hospital and didn't feel comfortable with what I was told so called Wake Forest Baptist Hospital and switched to them without having to get approval from insurance, Medicare, or doctor.

If I was to be diagnosed with cancer, I could go to any specialist I choose anywhere in the country. I just hope it never gets priced beyond what I can afford.

 

[MoonRiver]

Have to say that it totally grates my cheese that they double, treble, and quadruple dip into my money.

Grrr....

Except that Medicare recipients on average get back much more than they put in. For example, the heart procedure I had cost about $60k and I expect to need another in 5-10 years (if I am still around).