New year will ring in costlier Medicare plans -- Seniors face tough choices

Source: Detroit News

Thursday, December 25, 2008
New year will ring in costlier Medicare plans
Seniors face tough choices as insurers hike deductibles, copays and drug rates.
Christina Rogers / The Detroit News


Seniors choosing their Medicare plan for 2009 should brace for higher premiums, larger out-of-pocket expenses and less generous prescription drug coverage.

Monthly rates on many supplemental policies, such as Medicare Advantage and prescription drug coverage, are set to climb next year and, in some cases, more than double, as health insurers seek to offset a sharp rise in medical costs. Insurers also are hiking copays and deductibles, shifting more health care expenses onto consumers.

Eligible seniors have until Dec. 31 to enroll in Medicare or switch plans.

Open enrollment for the federal program began in November, when seniors could start signing up for Medicare Advantage or drug coverage, two popular policies that enhance the standard benefits offered under Medicare Part A and B.

Read more: http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20081225/LIFESTYLE03/812250373

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Happy New Year!

that they make more than the average joe - this is why they want in now - the salary - not the people

to the cost of living adjustment that is given to social security recipients. It is a yearly adjustment and all congressional and many others get. So if you are a senior you will get approximately a $10 raise but if you are a SCOTUS justice imagine what you are going to get. They passed this bill years ago using the poor on social security to justify it. It should be repealed as the poor never get to keep it anyhow - they raise the cost of medicare.

"You republicons have trashed our economy, our environment, our Army, our veterans, our schoolchildren, and also us, your elders. Ptooooey on your small-minded, greed-driven ambitions."

- America's Elders

She's paying more for prescriptions since drug coverage started. She has coverage now but the price has gone up and she's in the doughnut hole by September.

1 plan should cover every person and every drug for the same price. No donut holes. Seniors shouldn't have to worry about signing up every year. They should be considered on the plan until their social security death benefit is paid out.

om Medicare, and see how fast it all gets worked out...

this is going to knock her out.

I can't help but think of Cuba in Sicko; a ratty little island Nation, yet THEY can provide Universal coverage for their people and very cheap meds??? Come on now; if they can do it, there's no reason we can't. The political will is the only thing lacking here. Our politicians are immoral pigs at the corporate trough!

It's the only way. Granted, it's not perfect, but it's a great start.

Ask your congress person if they've signed on - if not, ask them to. Let's get it out of committee in 2009.

East Tennesee says horrifying health care is perfectly acceptable as the standard of care http://www.wisecountyissues.com Health care needs a cure.

I saw no one supporting AARP on this thread.

I don't give a flying fuck about who supported it, and the only person here that should be shutting the fuck up is YOU.

What is it with these newbies and their attitudes? :grr:

resigned our memberships in AARP because of their stupid endorsement.


They are an insurance company, you know.


Tikki