Happy with your 2ndary insurance?

My elderly folks have United Health Care/AARP as secondary coverage to MediCare, and I've heard from their cardiologist and primary care physicians' offices that it is one of the worst to deal with. They pay $431 a month for coverage, and have pretty high out-of-pocket expenses for prescription drugs. After speaking with two billing offices, Health Net, Blue Shield and Cigna appeared to be the most favored.

With enrollment periods coming up, it's a great time to get educated. What's your experience?

I had been working at a doctors office checking patients in getting copays. MANY, MANY, MANY people with medicare and a 2nd insurance pay the copay that is printed on their 2nd card.

Do NOT pay the copay printed on your insurance card if you have two or more insurances.

I tell Medicare patients all the time and they argue with me all the time.

If you or your parents have two or more insurances ask them if they pay a copayment at the time of the office visit. It could be costing them hundreds of dollars a year.

that when my folks moved, they were kicked off prescription drug coverage for one month because they were assigned to a different service center. So, they had out-of-pocket expenses totaling around $300 for that month. I reported UHC to MediCare and, of course, complained to the hilt to UHC. MediCare sanctioned them, but I got nowhere with UHC.

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:headbang:
rocktivity

But does over $400 a month seem steep? It does to me.

We pay around 166.00 each per month for ours at American Family and have no co-pays or anything to pay beyond the insurance premiums. Medicare picks up their share and the insurance co. pays what's left.

American Family is a new one for me, and sounds like you've got a great deal.

If I am reading your post correctly this is for Part B of Medicare. My part B is $87 a month, my sister pays $121 and my brother doesn't pay at all - he worked for AT & T. No co-pays for me - its all covered.

Now if this includes Part D I don't know how to response. My Part D is $18 a month with a co-pay. Don't know how its figured because I don't take any medication. My sisters Part D is $45 a month with no co-pays (unless she falls in the dough nut hole). My brother's Part D is paid for my his company so he does not understand his insurance. But, let me say this, he pays the first $2500 for anything needed under Part B or Part D before his insurance kicks in. Actually, his corporate provided coverage sucks.

So, if this is for just Part B it seems way too high. If it is for part B & D it still seems too high.

I think I'm going to shop around for them. It makes me sick at how complicated and fraudulent our system of health care is, and it's gonna be years before it gets shaken out.