Royal Caribbean Cruisers -- How Are Things Where You Are? (was "Routine" ​ 😁 ​day in lockdown... how was yours?)

[lenquixote66]

14 hours ago, Luckynana said:

 

Happy 16th Birthday to your granddaughter,Lenny!🎈

Thanks,Maryann.She took her Driving Test yesterday morning.

Today ,she and her father are taking my 20 year old granddaughter back to college.My daughter has to stay with the dog.

 

[lenquixote66]

15 hours ago, SteelCityCruiser10 said:

+1 😃

Thank you

[lenquixote66]

13 hours ago, Momof3gurlz said:

They’re all doing well, thanks for asking Maryann. Daughter and SIL had head cold symptoms, the baby had only a fever for 2 days.  

RI is such a beautiful state.I spent a lot of time there between 2000 and 2003,my last job took me there frequently.

[Sea Dog]

49 minutes ago, brillohead said:

I got the pathology report back on my melanoma excision -- all margins are clear.  The chunk they took out of my shoulder was about 2"x1".  I could tell how long it was based on the incision, but I wasn't sure how wide it was. 

Good for you staying on top of it. My scar from my Mohs surgery is getting better. It’s still a little swollen as they did two layers of stitches. Hopefully the scar will disappear. In the meantime I just tell everyone I was in a bar fight.

 

25 minutes ago, akcruz said:

All this Medicare talk gets me nervous.  I still have a little more than 18 months but started paying more attention lately as others navigate the waters. Our community is having a specialist come in September to explain and answer questions, have already signed up.  Not looking forward to it at all.

Don’t worry. We had no problem signing up and getting Medicare. Luckily through my union I also had a broker that they hooked us up and got us a supplemental plan which was plan G. With both we have had no problems. Two knee replacements and never paid a dime.

 

 

 

[BonTexasNY]

My Medicare advice is to speak to an independent broker who handles all Medicare plans.  Ours came to our home, listed all of our medications, doctors and came up with the best plan.

 

With AARP medigap I had 2 major surgeries and didn't pay  anything.  I stayed in rehab for 6 weeks in-patient and didn't pay anything.   I tried Humana Advantage (no premium) last year and gave it up to go back to AARP. Jack still has Humana Advantage because with his medical history his premium for AARP would be high.

[Sea Dog]

40 minutes ago, BonTexasNY said:

My Medicare advice is to speak to an independent broker who handles all Medicare plans.  Ours came to our home, listed all of our medications, doctors and came up with the best plan.

 

With AARP medigap I had 2 major surgeries and didn't pay  anything.  I stayed in rehab for 6 weeks in-patient and didn't pay anything.   I tried Humana Advantage (no premium) last year and gave it up to go back to AARP. Jack still has Humana Advantage because with his medical history his premium for AARP would be high.

That’s what we have AARP and United Healthcare. We know what our medical expenses are always going be. Very happy with them.

[h20skibum]

2 hours ago, Keksie said:

Part D took a little more research since at the time I wasn't on any meds.  I picked one that was convenient and it turned out okay.  

Part D was a pain.  I changed my Part D provider each year of the first six years I had it.  Providers would keep dropping one of the drugs I take, so I had to look for one that covered it. What fun.  
 

Last year was the first time I didn’t need to change.  

[George C]

1 hour ago, BonTexasNY said:

My Medicare advice is to speak to an independent broker who handles all Medicare plans.  Ours came to our home, listed all of our medications, doctors and came up with the best plan.

 

With AARP medigap I had 2 major surgeries and didn't pay  anything.  I stayed in rehab for 6 weeks in-patient and didn't pay anything.   I tried Humana Advantage (no premium) last year and gave it up to go back to AARP. Jack still has Humana Advantage because with his medical history his premium for AARP would be high.

I talked to my doctor about that and he gave me a business card of an independent broker. I have had Medicare part A for a decade but totally covered by my wife’s plan , so before she retires I need part B , D and supplemental coverage.

[firefly333]

40 minutes ago, Sea Dog said:

That’s what we have AARP and United Healthcare. We know what our medical expenses are always going be. Very happy with them.

That's who I have though I did pay. For seeing a GP, 0 charge. To see a specialist, maybe $20, or $25 I forget. To get cataract surgery I paid $50 both times to the surgery center who was not part of my doctors office. He used some surgery center near medical city in dallas. So i do pay some, but not a lot. I must have a different plan. I got the combined one, forget the name. I also pay quite a bit a month. Comes out of ssn but still i do pay monthly. 

 

Sounds like a different plan. But it's not a small monthly amount either. Depends on your earnings the previous year. Started off small and them wham!

[Sea Dog]

26 minutes ago, firefly333 said:

That's who I have though I did pay. For seeing a GP, 0 charge. To see a specialist, maybe $20, or $25 I forget. To get cataract surgery I paid $50 both times to the surgery center who was not part of my doctors office. He used some surgery center near medical city in dallas. So i do pay some, but not a lot. I must have a different plan. I got the combined one, forget the name. I also pay quite a bit a month. Comes out of ssn but still i do pay monthly. 

 

Sounds like a different plan. But it's not a small monthly amount either. Depends on your earnings the previous year. Started off small and them wham!

There are many plans. We pay more monthly and have a deductible at the first of year. Once we meet the deductible we don’t pay any more.

[ValerieJo]

48 minutes ago, George C said:

I talked to my doctor about that and he gave me a business card of an independent broker. I have had Medicare part A for a decade but totally covered by my wife’s plan , so before she retires I need part B , D and supplemental coverage.

This is the boat I have been in.  Automatically got part A when I turned 65.  I’ve been under hubs plan until July 31.  Then had to get Part B and supplements on short notice.  So many details to pay attention to.  Plus, things not only vary by state but down to your zip code.  

[firefly333]

14 minutes ago, Sea Dog said:

There are many plans. We pay more monthly and have a deductible at the first of year. Once we meet the deductible we don’t pay any more.

I'm not even aware of what I pay anymore. They send me a accounting early in the year of how much to pay monthly but I dont remember getting it this year, but I had a lot of paperwork going on. But it was a small quarterly amount when I signed up. Which changes yearly. Now paid monthly and subtracted from ssn so I never actually see what I'm paying unless I get that paper.

 

I did read ssn is going up 2.3% or some such and Medicare going up 5.7%. So Medicare is going up faster than ssn. According to some article that popped up. Titled a nasty surprise for some. But I didnt know prior to age 65 when Medicare started it was based on your earnings the year before reported to the irs. I assumed it was a fixed amount. 

 

Tbh I dont know and havent done anything to my plan since age 65. I've just let it be.

[Ocean Boy]

12 minutes ago, firefly333 said:

I'm not even aware of what I pay anymore. They send me a accounting early in the year of how much to pay monthly but I dont remember getting it this year, but I had a lot of paperwork going on. But it was a small quarterly amount when I signed up. Which changes yearly. Now paid monthly and subtracted from ssn so I never actually see what I'm paying unless I get that paper.

 

I did read ssn is going up 2.3% or some such and Medicare going up 5.7%. So Medicare is going up faster than ssn. According to some article that popped up. Titled a nasty surprise for some. But I didnt know prior to age 65 when Medicare started it was based on your earnings the year before reported to the irs. I assumed it was a fixed amount. 

 

Tbh I dont know and havent done anything to my plan since age 65. I've just let it be.

Medicare is based on your earnings two years ago which would be the last info they have on file as your rate is set before your tax return for the previous year is filed.

[Momof3gurlz]

3 hours ago, Keksie said:

For me it was really easy to sign up for Medicare.  Because I had already signed up for SS parts A and B were pretty much automatic.  I already knew which medigap plan I wanted.  I just had to join AARP and then sign up online.  Part D took a little more research since at the time I wasn't on any meds.  I picked one that was convenient and it turned out okay.  

 

2 hours ago, Sea Dog said:

Good for you staying on top of it. My scar from my Mohs surgery is getting better. It’s still a little swollen as they did two layers of stitches. Hopefully the scar will disappear. In the meantime I just tell everyone I was in a bar fight.

 

Don’t worry. We had no problem signing up and getting Medicare. Luckily through my union I also had a broker that they hooked us up and got us a supplemental plan which was plan G. With both we have had no problems. Two knee replacements and never paid a dime.

 

 

 

Today we’re visiting Battleship Cove and the USS Massachusetts in Fall River MA.  Here’s a nice photo of the boys before we boarded and before the little one threw up!  I hope he was just overheated from the indoor exhibits.  I’m currently sitting in the truck while he sleeps and Andy finishes the tour with the other two.  

 

I also found it easy to sign up for Medicare because I was already collecting SS.  I have a Plan G supplement through BCBS as well as a prescription plan.  I’m very fortunate my former employer pays for all of it.  Being younger, Andy’s still covered by our employer’s retiree health plan which we contribute a small amount towards each month. 

[h20skibum]

Was out to pick up some things for the party this afternoon, and saw this guy go rolling by. 

 

A solar powered trike, he has been traveling for seven years, logged 63,000 miles, and has made it through 46 states.  It looks like the trailer has additional solar panels and doubles as his camper.  
 

 

[George C]

25 minutes ago, Ocean Boy said:

Medicare is based on your earnings two years ago which would be the last info they have on file as your rate is set before your tax return for the previous year is filed.

Big difference between social security and Medicare is there is a cut off for social security somewhere about 150k so anything after that there is no SS taking from your check. Medicare there is no cutoff so if you make a million they will continue to deduct Medicare from your check . 

[Ozark_Kid]

2 hours ago, Sea Dog said:

That’s what we have AARP and United Healthcare. We know what our medical expenses are always going be. Very happy with them.

UH is what I have with Medicare.  So much has been covered for me!  My nice wheelchair cost us nothing. I have been going to PT twice a week for over a year now at no cost.   Many other things.   Each quarter UH gives me $40 for over-the-counter meds which we put towards Boost.  If I would of known I had the option to stay with BCBS I probably would have however UH has worked out great for me. 

[reallyitsmema]

8 minutes ago, George C said:

Big difference between social security and Medicare is there is a cut off for social security somewhere about 150k so anything after that there is no SS taking from your check. Medicare there is no cutoff so if you make a million they will continue to deduct Medicare from your check . 

 

$168,600 for 2024.  🙂 

[firefly333]

45 minutes ago, Ocean Boy said:

Medicare is based on your earnings two years ago which would be the last info they have on file as your rate is set before your tax return for the previous year is filed.

Ok thanks. I just wasnt aware the rate for insurance wasnt a fixed price like I thought insurance would cost $xyz.  Not a variable amount. 

 

I seem to have very good coverage on prescriptions, better than my parents policy, but not for vitamins. My gp kept prescribing once a week strong vitamin D which isnt covered or not much. Vitamins it seems arent the same to my insurance as prescription drugs. 

 

I havent had enough issues it was worth looking into more. 

[Ocean Boy]

1 hour ago, firefly333 said:

Ok thanks. I just wasnt aware the rate for insurance wasnt a fixed price like I thought insurance would cost $xyz.  Not a variable amount. 

 

I can't remember when Medicare changed from a flat rate to an income based tiered  rate. It is something people should be better informed about. All it takes is one dollar to boost you into the next tier and Medicare costs you quite a bit more for a year.

[Luckynana]

7 hours ago, brillohead said:

I got the pathology report back on my melanoma excision -- all margins are clear.  The chunk they took out of my shoulder was about 2"x1".  I could tell how long it was based on the incision, but I wasn't sure how wide it was. 

Great news, Debbie!  

7 hours ago, akcruz said:

All this Medicare talk gets me nervous.  I still have a little more than 18 months but started paying more attention lately as others navigate the waters. Our community is having a specialist come in September to explain and answer questions, have already signed up.  Not looking forward to it at all.

 

 

With all of this talk about Medicare, etc.  please be mindful when you hear the "great" things about Medicare Advantage.  Sweet talkers.  It should be called Medicare disAdvantage.   I hope I don't get thrown off for this comment.  One of the disadvantages, to this is that they will tell you your doctors will take it.  More and more doctors are not.  With Medicare, if your doctor orders tests, MRI's, etc., you go and get your tests done without needing referrals.  With Medicare Advantage your doctor may order the tests, but the insurance companies have the final decision as to whether they will allow it or deny it.  Good luck everyone with your decisions.

[aussielozzie18]

8 hours ago, brillohead said:

I got the pathology report back on my melanoma excision -- all margins are clear.  The chunk they took out of my shoulder was about 2"x1".  I could tell how long it was based on the incision, but I wasn't sure how wide it was. 

Best outcome.  Big relief.

[aussielozzie18]

@Momof3gurlz  Love that you are a mom of 3 girls and have 3  grandsons.  Hope your youngest grandson recovers quickly.  

[DaniDanielle]

 

 

[Ocean Boy]

1 hour ago, Luckynana said:

Great news, Debbie!  

 

 

With all of this talk about Medicare, etc.  please be mindful when you hear the "great" things about Medicare Advantage.  Sweet talkers.  It should be called Medicare disAdvantage.   I hope I don't get thrown off for this comment.  One of the disadvantages, to this is that they will tell you your doctors will take it.  More and more doctors are not.  With Medicare, if your doctor orders tests, MRI's, etc., you go and get your tests done without needing referrals.  With Medicare Advantage your doctor may order the tests, but the insurance companies have the final decision as to whether they will allow it or deny it.  Good luck everyone with your decisions.

Your comments are completely true. You also have to be careful about their specialty network. Say you have a problem and want to go to Boston because you feel you will get the best care there. Your Advantage plan might say no, you have to go to Providence because those doctors are part of their network. Oh well, too bad for you.