โSep-05-2015 07:04 PM
โSep-06-2015 05:25 PM
John&Joey wrote:Many people do not understand the consignment concept, but yes it is what it is. If a medical professional "agrees" to accept the Medicare rate, then they can charge up to 115% of the agreed rate and you are responsible for the overage and Medicare will only pay 80% of the agreed rate, not the 115%. Some and I emphasize SOME of the supplement carriers will pay the overage, but not all. I have been caught in this consignment trap twice, so I know just how it works. I have a current bill for $52.40 that is the 115% over charge and I have to pay it.BarbaraOK wrote:John&Joey wrote:
LOL...Tequila.
At 65 a US person doesn't get free health coverage. Just up to an amount the government will pay, anything over is our responsibility. Last winter was a park benefit for someone that was going broke with physical therapy that wasn't covered. We also do not get assisted living beyond a month, after that it's our cost . Of course we can buy insurance to cover the gap for both.
I guess your and mine Medicare are different. Once Medicare approves a charge, they pay 80% and then the patient pays the other 20% or their supplemental insurance pays that. You never pay more than the 20% of what Medicare determines is the appropriate fee, no matter what the original charge was, assuming that you are going to a physician/hospital that accepts Medicare patients.
Or am I missing something?
Barb
What you are stating is what is known as "consignment." A doctor does not have to follow those rate structures. They can charge whatever they want and the person will have to come up with the rest. I'm guessing you have extra insurance. Next time you go into the hospital ask only for SS "consignment" rates and see how far you get.
Bob & Betsy - USN Aviation Ret'd '78 & LEO Ret'd '03 & "Oath Keeper Forever"
โSep-06-2015 05:04 PM
BarbaraOK wrote:John&Joey wrote:
LOL...Tequila.
At 65 a US person doesn't get free health coverage. Just up to an amount the government will pay, anything over is our responsibility. Last winter was a park benefit for someone that was going broke with physical therapy that wasn't covered. We also do not get assisted living beyond a month, after that it's our cost . Of course we can buy insurance to cover the gap for both.
I guess your and mine Medicare are different. Once Medicare approves a charge, they pay 80% and then the patient pays the other 20% or their supplemental insurance pays that. You never pay more than the 20% of what Medicare determines is the appropriate fee, no matter what the original charge was, assuming that you are going to a physician/hospital that accepts Medicare patients.
Or am I missing something?
Barb
โSep-06-2015 04:50 PM
joebedford wrote:Elizabeth24 wrote:Beer is certainly cheep in USA but dairy and chicken have climbed to CDN prices.
Dairy products, beer and chicken are much cheaper in the US
โSep-06-2015 04:35 PM
Elizabeth24 wrote:Beer is certainly cheep in USA but dairy and chicken have climbed to CDN prices.
Dairy products, beer and chicken are much cheaper in the US
โSep-06-2015 02:27 PM
John&Joey wrote:
LOL...Tequila.
At 65 a US person doesn't get free health coverage. Just up to an amount the government will pay, anything over is our responsibility. Last winter was a park benefit for someone that was going broke with physical therapy that wasn't covered. We also do not get assisted living beyond a month, after that it's our cost . Of course we can buy insurance to cover the gap for both.
Barb & Dave O'Keeffe - full-timing since 2006
Figment II
(2002 Alpine 36 MDDS) ๐โSep-06-2015 12:55 PM
โSep-06-2015 11:32 AM
โSep-06-2015 10:50 AM
โSep-06-2015 10:29 AM
โSep-06-2015 10:04 AM
โSep-06-2015 09:56 AM
John&Joey wrote:
Many of our Canadian neighbors/friends who aren't on this forum bought US Dollars when the Loony was strong. That will help them out now that the exchange rate is so bad. Sooner or later those US dollars will run out.
Very interesting statement about paying health insurance premiums in Canadian dollars but benefits in US dollars that make a ton of sense how that will not work in the long run. Guessing those that did not have their premiums go up are still young enough where the insurance underwriters' don't view them as a high risk. That will change as they age I'm guessing.
I'm thinking that the long term snowbirds will start to shrink. Coming down for a couple of months is not so hard on the pocketbook as it would be for six months.
โSep-06-2015 09:05 AM
โSep-06-2015 07:58 AM
joebedford wrote:
We're going to do our usual 4 months but we have our eyeballs on the $$. Lower fuel prices won't compensate for increased everything else but it's still better than spending the winter in Canada.
The big difference for us is that we're not going to be buying lots of 'stuff' other than the essentials. I've always taken advantage of lower prices on electronics, rv stuff, etc. - we just won't be buying any of that 'stuff' this winter.
โSep-06-2015 06:06 AM
โSep-06-2015 05:50 AM