General Discussion

SHRED

(28,136 posts) Wed Feb 29, 2012, 10:02 AM Feb 2012

Medicare is already weakened

I think it is a shame that Medicare cannot cover seniors by itself and complicated supplemental insurance plans from the private sector need to be involved.

Of course we all should be covered but that is a different subject.

Has anyone else tried to assist a senior family member through the maze of coverage policies?
How do seniors do it by themselves?

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2 replies

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Medicare is already weakened (Original Post) SHRED Feb 2012 OP

My mother is 85 and has my dad's pension chrysler insurance as a supplement. They cover the rest. SugarShack Feb 2012 #1

My 89 year old mother is covered under my late fathers medical through the his insurance NNN0LHI Feb 2012 #2

SugarShack

(1,635 posts)

1. My mother is 85 and has my dad's pension chrysler insurance as a supplement. They cover the rest.

Reply to SHRED (Original post)

Wed Feb 29, 2012, 10:15 AM

Feb 2012

Not everybody had a job with a corporation like that, and they must ferret through the private plans. You have to choose one that services any needs that you are already aware of. If you are healthy, my neighbor just took out the "silver slippers" policy. They cover retirees to work out three times a week! Curves, accepts that medicare plan and she attends with her friends, so they keep moving. My mom can't do those things so she would not choose that plan. I don't know how any senior does it, if they don't have auto supplemental ins.

NNN0LHI

(67,190 posts)

2. My 89 year old mother is covered under my late fathers medical through the his insurance

Reply to SHRED (Original post)

Wed Feb 29, 2012, 10:38 AM

Feb 2012

He was a retired mailman.

What it seems like is that no one ever explained to you is that neither Medicare or Social Security were ever designed to provide a comfortable retirement. They were designed as supplements to your employer based retirement plans.

They used to teach this to us in high school. Needed three things to ever hope to retire comfortably. Social Security, a pension and savings. Not sure if they teach this any more? But my parents also explained this to me when I was young. Used to be everyone was aware of this. Doesn't seem that way any more.

Don

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