by natyb » Thu May 07, 2009 09:58 pm
Ok... I know this is a touchy subject, and the headline is actually theirs :)
but I just read the article 20/20 is using as a "teaser" to talk about it and it made me wonder how many people here would agree.
Apparently they surveyed the "very well off" retirees of a "ritzy" community in Palm Beach and they were all saying how they can afford their 350K to 500K "community" thanks to the boost medicare is giving them by paying for a lot of their medical fees...
Now, the question... should they be able to do this? should there be an income limit for "government" help.
**update*** sorry, the article is published on the ABC news website and was "investigated" by John Stossel :)
but I just read the article 20/20 is using as a "teaser" to talk about it and it made me wonder how many people here would agree.
Apparently they surveyed the "very well off" retirees of a "ritzy" community in Palm Beach and they were all saying how they can afford their 350K to 500K "community" thanks to the boost medicare is giving them by paying for a lot of their medical fees...
Now, the question... should they be able to do this? should there be an income limit for "government" help.
**update*** sorry, the article is published on the ABC news website and was "investigated" by John Stossel :)
Posted: Fri May 08, 2009 06:24 am Post Subject:
Okay, aren't we missing one point here that the seniors too had once paid for their generation ahead to ensure Medicare coverage for them? Moreover, Medicare isn't actually free. You still need to cover certain expenses while on Medicare.
I wonder how many of us wouldn't join the Medicare program when we would attain the age. Wouldn't you join Medicare, Natyb?
Posted: Fri May 08, 2009 10:24 am Post Subject:
Hi natyb,
but I just read the article 20/20 is using as a "teaser" to talk about it and it made me wonder how many people here would agree.
It's more than our agreeing to what some people are destined to believe..it's more about the 'truth'. So, I'm here with you.
I'd believe the so-called "very well off" just forms a small part of our huge population.
Now, the question... should they be able to do this? should there be an income limit for "government" help.
I always supported the idea of an income limit. That's the reason when the Congress had authorized the Qualified Medicare Beneficiary program it sounded nice to me. I had a feeling that it would be good for a section of our population who fall below the national poverty level. It also showed the provision that the assets of the beneficiary were to remain under $4,000 (if he's single) or under $6,000 if he's married. But then they had to qualify for Medicare too.
So, what I can see is if the govt. would come up with options, yet there are a lot of things that need to be sorted out first!
Do you agree with me?
Regards, Roddick
Posted: Sat May 09, 2009 06:08 am Post Subject:
see it doesn't even have to be in the "poverty level" range... because like Jeorge said we would've paid into it and is not really free...
My point is for people that are in the top income categories and obviously don't need it they shouldn't get it...
Then again, we wouldn't be worrying about any of this if there was some sort of universal health plan... he he he...
Posted: Sat May 09, 2009 12:04 pm Post Subject:
Hi Naty,
So, according to you Medicare should be made an elective option, i.e. who want to enroll for it can continue with Medicare, others just look for the alternatives available. But, if seniors aren't given guaranteed coverage under Medicare, many of them would go uninsured because the private insurers wouldn't cover them as well.
Then again, we wouldn't be worrying about any of this if there was some sort of universal health plan... he he he...
BTW, Naty, we really suspect the feasibility of universal health care, aren’t we?
Posted: Sat May 09, 2009 05:51 pm Post Subject:
The senior citizens (including the well-off) do pay for Medicare. Medicare Part B (which is the doctors / outpatient services portion) has a premium which in most cases is $96.40 a month. Technically Medicare Part B IS optional and the senior citizen can elect not to be covered.
It is also important to remember that Medicare ONLY pays 80% after certain deductibles are met. $1068 deductible on the hospital side, $135 deductible on the outpatient side, etc.
Now if we are talking about Medicaid...explain this to me:
I have clients that make 820/month in social security in SC and pay $96.40 for Medicare and 20% of ALL of their medical bills and high co-pays for all of their medicine.
I also have clients that make 780/month in social security in SC and they pay NOTHING for Medicare, NO Medical Bills, and Nothing for drugs...BECAUSE THEY ARE MEDICAID ELIGIBLE.
Obviously the dollar amounts may vary a little...but $40 a month is not enough to help the first client pay everything the second client gets for free!
Posted: Tue May 12, 2009 01:11 pm Post Subject:
Also, Medicare premiums are affected by income. So these well-to-do folks might be paying more than you think. And this will continue to trend upwards for those who are still employed an opt into Medicare.
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