Need medicare advice

[oldman45]

I think medicare is ripping me off.

The last of Sept/2011, I signed up for medicare Part A&B. I did not sign for social security since there would be a penalty over my earnings that would not allow me to draw a dime.

At the time of signing, I was told they would bill me and the cost would be $115 per month. So far, so good.

Then in early Nov, I got a bill from medicare for $584. I sent that in. A month later, I got a bill for $261.61. I paid that.

In Jan, 2012, I got another bill for $261.61 and I paid that. As of now I have paid over $1,000 for medicare that should have only been $575.

Yesterday, I got a letter from Medicare saying I was no longer covered. I went to their office and they said they could not tell me why I was being charged so much or why I was no longer covered. Their records did not reflect such a letter being sent and I was immediately confirmed as being covered. I had with me copies of my checks, all the bills and the letter stopping coverage.

They admitted the cost was only $115 monthly. They admitted I had paid too much already. They also admitted that there was nothing they could do since it was not a local issue.

I called the toll free number and only get automated responses.

Anyone have suggestions as to what I can do?

 

[Steve in Vermont]

I ran this by my wife who has experience working in this field. She thinks you may have been scammed (not by the government), that those letters you received were fraudulent and did not come from Medicare. She suggests you contact your congressman and advise him of this. And, of course, don't send any more money to anyone until this is resolved. Also, if you paid by checks, get a copy of them from your bank and see who endorsed them. Keep up posted.

 

[diamonback68]

I ran this by my wife who has experience working in this field. She thinks you may have been scammed (not by the government), that those letters you received were fraudulent and did not come from Medicare. She suggests you contact your congressman and advise him of this. And, of course, don't send any more money to anyone until this is resolved. Also, if you paid by checks, get a copy of them from your bank and see who endorsed them. Keep up posted.

My exact thoughts when I read it....SCAM!

 

[tork'd]

be sure you get in touch with your local states attorneys office to advise of a possible scam..
maybe you can help keep someone else from falling victim to this trash

 

[wb3kgd]

dont know why you pay 115 dollars, when all the rest are paying 99.90

 

[cowart]

dont know why you pay 115 dollars, when all the rest are paying 99.90

$115.40 is the correct amount for people who started on Medicare in 2011, and have it deducted from their Social Security payments. Older people with smaller deductions are unchanged. See

http://www.ssa.gov/pubs/10161.pdf

 

[ladder13]

dont know why you pay 115 dollars, when all the rest are paying 99.90

$115.40 was the 2011 rate, $99.90 is the 2012 rate, he signed up in 2011.

Edit: cowart beat me to it.

 

[cowart]

Re. being scammed - contact your local law enforcement to see if they have someone handling identity theft cases. Also, frequently review all of your bank accounts and credit card accounts for unauthorized activity, as someone has probably stolen your incoming postal mail at some point.

Go to
https://www.annualcreditreport.com/cra/index.jsp
and run your free credit report, and see if anyone has opened new credit cards or bank accounts in your name.

 

[oldman45]

We can eliminate scam.

Medicare has properly credited my account with every dollar I paid. This is by their own admission when I was face to face with them in their local office.

The issue is why I am being charged as much as I am. I have paid some $500 more than what I should already and still being billed for more.

 

[OKFC05]

Anyone who is eligible for free Medicare hospital insurance (Part A) can enroll in Medicare medical insurance (Part B) by paying a monthly premium. Some beneficiaries with higher incomes will pay a higher monthly Part B premium. For more information, ask for Medicare Premiums: Rules For Higher-Income Beneficiaries (Publication No. 05-10536) or visit www.socialsecurity.gov/mediinfo.htm.

http://www.socialsecurity.gov/online/ssa-44.pdf

 

[ladder13]

Oldman, do you have a secondary insurance company? Maybe they aren't picking up part of the tab that they are responsible for and it's kicking back to Medicare. I don't know exactly how this works, but could be the reason. Medicare would/should tell you this though.

Edited: I didn't see the part where they dropped you completely. Call the SSA until you find someone to help. I was trying to clear up some bill's with my fathers estate and the people at SSA were very helpful.

 

[Steve in Vermont]

Sorry for the hassle you're going through but very glad you weren't scammed.

 

[oldman45]

Oldman, do you have a secondary insurance company? Maybe they aren't picking up part of the tab that they are responsible for and it's kicking back to Medicare. I don't know exactly how this works, but could be the reason. Medicare would/should tell you this though.

Edited: I didn't see the part where they dropped you completely. Call the SSA until you find someone to help. I was trying to clear up some bill's with my fathers estate and the people at SSA were very helpful.

I have a medicare supplement that pays 100% of any medical cost not covered by medicare. That is an additional $252 per month.

Yes, medicare did drop me completely according to a letter sent to me. The day I got the letter, I went to their local social security office and met with one of the agents. She could not find anything in their records where I had been dropped. She did find where I had paid each payment and had paid more than I should have but at the same time, was still being billed for more money. Her answer was, "I do not know why you are being billed like you are but then we are just an agent for medicare. They are a different section than social security." She did say I was still covered under medicare. I also got a new card from them the day after I got the letter of cancellation.

Medicare has yet to allow me a live person to talk with. I get a recording saying "press 1" and then press 4, then press 2, then press 5. Finally I get a recording saying that there is no one available to help me at this time. This is why I am ticked off. Being over charged is one thing but then not being told why or being able to speak with anyone is maddening.

I will also state I do not like automated phone services. When I get one, I automatically get ticked off. The phones in my office get answered 24/7 by a live staffer.

 

[Steve in Vermont]

Perhaps your congressman can help. I'd give him a call, not and E-mail. They have aides who handle things like this. Having said that, I hope you don't run into the same problems with their phone system. They'll get it right and give you the proper credit, it just takes time and with the government looking to save money they are cutting people and going more and more to automation, as you found out.

 

[ladder13]

Usually dialing "0" gets a live voice.

 

[REM 3200]

Perhaps your congressman can help. I'd give him a call, not and E-mail. They have aides who handle things like this. Having said that, I hope you don't run into the same problems with their phone system. They'll get it right and give you the proper credit, it just takes time and with the government looking to save money they are cutting people and going more and more to automation, as you found out.

Even better than a phone call, go to his local office where you will be face to face with one of his staff so they can make copies of every thing.

 

[H Richard]

opldman45, if you are paying $252 p/mo for a medicare supplement you need to research a different carrier. Unless you are over 90. Supplements premium's increase with your age. I am 71 next month, and my supplement (through Gerber Life) is $1051 for 6 months ($175.17 p/mo). The benefits are all equal for plan type, I have a plan F. Contact a Medicare specialist insurance agent for a comparison.

 

[amazingflapjack]

As was suggested, look into a medicare supplement insurance plan. Many of them pick up deductables and generally simplify the whole process. Talk to your congressman and/or senator if things don't turn around quickly.

 

[JcMack]

I hit 65 on the 5th of this month. I've been on SS since I was 62. I got my Medicare card and $99.90 deduction and $58 increase in SS via COLA. I now have enough money left to put a downstroke on a gumball.

 

[oldman45]

opldman45, if you are paying $252 p/mo for a medicare supplement you need to research a different carrier. Unless you are over 90. Supplements premium's increase with your age. I am 71 next month, and my supplement (through Gerber Life) is $1051 for 6 months ($175.17 p/mo). The benefits are all equal for plan type, I have a plan F. Contact a Medicare specialist insurance agent for a comparison.

I did get a specialist to review the various plans. The one I chose, and each state has different requirements, pays 100% of all charges not covered by medicare. There is no deductible, no co-pays and no limits.

My wife has a plan no longer offered by any company that pays one half of the medicine as well.

 

[quneur]

Several things you may or may not be aware of:

Medicare division is Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services or (CMS). That is the division you need to call instead of Social Security.

Medicare Supplemental Plans are based up paying the 20% of what medicare does not cover. If the premiums for supplemental plan is more than the last 20% of medical bills, then it doesn't make sense continuing. There should also be local to your area supplemental plans which cost nothing or very little and generally run as a HMO (People's Health, Arcadian Community Health Dual Plus, etc.)

Contact your state insurance department if you have questions on anything insurance related or to complain. With medicare, I would assume they would get you in touch with the commissioner immediately.

 

[oldman45]

Several things you may or may not be aware of:

Medicare division is Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services or (CMS). That is the division you need to call instead of Social Security.

Medicare Supplemental Plans are based up paying the 20% of what medicare does not cover. If the premiums for supplemental plan is more than the last 20% of medical bills, then it doesn't make sense continuing. There should also be local to your area supplemental plans which cost nothing or very little and generally run as a HMO (People's Health, Arcadian Community Health Dual Plus, etc.)

Contact your state insurance department if you have questions on anything insurance related or to complain. With medicare, I would assume they would get you in touch with the commissioner immediately.

My supplement is such that percentages is not an issue. I do not pay a dime for any medical treatment, hospitalizations, co-pay or other items. I do not need a referral to see specialists and I can use the dr of my choice. Sure, the coverage is costly but well worth it.

 

[H Richard]

That's exactly what my policy is, 100% of whatever Medicare doesn't cover. I haven't paid a penny for any medical since I turned 65. No referrals needed go to any Dr. I choose. And, coverage up to $50,000 outside the US if traveling.

 

[oldman45]

That's exactly what my policy is, 100% of whatever Medicare doesn't cover. I haven't paid a penny for any medical since I turned 65. No referrals needed go to any Dr. I choose. And, coverage up to $50,000 outside the US if traveling.

Yes but you do not live in Louisiana. It is a wonderful state to live when it comes to food, scenery, guns and crime. Not bad when it comes to jobs, cost of living or friendliness.

When it comes to insurance, we just have to grin and bear it. Our last few State Insurance Commissioners are either in prison or on parole after prison. We have the highest rate for Workman's Comp coverage of any state and we have the least benefits. Our auto insurance is the third highest in the nation. Health care coverage is out of sight. I was paying over $700 a month for health care coverage just for me and I am in fairly good health. My youngest daughter (age 30) is paying 1/4 of her health care premiums through her job and that is $220 a month for her share. There are people in the area using either AR or TX addresses just to get cheaper insurance. Many people here have their autos registered in other states due to insurance. But we have $4 per yr license plates.

 

[armadillo]

I don't know what the thresholds are, but they will charge you more than $115/mo. if you have a lot of income.

I have a friend who sold his house for $500K the same year he went on Medicare and had to pay more than $300/mo. for a couple of years until it went out of the system.

 

[oldman45]

I don't know what the thresholds are, but they will charge you more than $115/mo. if you have a lot of income.

I have a friend who sold his house for $500K the same year he went on Medicare and had to pay more than $300/mo. for a couple of years until it went out of the system.

Granted, I do have a nice income but I have a whole lot of outgo. The wife has so many medical conditions, that her medical bills, medicare supplement, medicine cost and such takes very close to a six figure amount each year. That is after insurance and medicare pays. She was covered many years ago by a nice health care policy. They cancelled her after they paid out the million dollar limit on her medical needs.

Still medicare told me the monthly cost would be $115. They sent that to me in writing as well. Yet I am being billed a lot more than that. In the five months I have had medicare, they have paid out only $29 on my claim. It is not like they are losing money on me.