3 ms·

For a contrasting viewpoint, I have MA plan with Kaiser Permanente (HMO). As far as I can tell, it is essentially the same as what I previously had under employ

For a contrasting viewpoint, I have MA plan with Kaiser Permanente (HMO). As far as I can tell, it is essentially the same as what I previously had under employer group coverage, which was satisfactory to me for many years. Fortunately I have no major medical issues requiring expensive treatment, but if I do, I'm pretty confident that my coverage won't be so scant that it leads to bankruptcy or anything. The monthly total premium for both Part C (MA) and Part D (drugs) is $70, and the only co-pay I've seen is $10 for each office visit after the first one of the year.

jewayne 4y ago
For a contrasting viewpoint to your contrasting viewpoint, I took over my parents' finances as my father was dying from emphysema. He had a number of comorbidities that led him to see a number of specialists, so he was definitely using a large number of health services. After he died, I steeled myself for the dreaded slow drip of medical bills in the ensuing weeks and months. They never came. Because my father had Medicare and a Medigap plan.
saltcured 4y ago
I've been assisting elderly relatives with myriad physical and mental problems, and they also have Kaiser Medicare Advantage plans. For this elderly couple, out of pocket long-term care costs are about twice the US median income and that's sticking to a somewhat modest board and care environment. It's nice that the Kaiser copays and other billings are not significantly adding to that pile. I can't say every moment has been golden, but I think I will choose the same for myself if the landscape hasn't completely changed by then. I've had to reality-check myself at times, realizing that many of my complaints are about the sad decline of my relatives, rather than any actual problem with Kaiser's care. It can be overwhelming, and you'd wish there was someone to magically fix it. With end-of-life declines, the care outcomes often don't feel very satisfying. I've seen them through hospitalizations, ER trips, nursing home rehab, and home health visits. The only part that is frustrating is Medicare-induced rules, where they suddenly reach a threshold for transfer or discharge and you have to scramble in a reactive mode. I'm not sure how unique this is to Kaiser, but they can fail to consolidate communications through a care coordinator. So, you get chaotic days where multiple different staff and third party vendors are trying to reach you about the same topic all at once.

jewayne 4y ago

For a contrasting viewpoint to your contrasting viewpoint, I took over my parents' finances as my father was dying from emphysema. He had a number of comorbidities that led him to see a number of specialists, so he was definitely using a large number of health services. After he died, I steeled myself for the dreaded slow drip of medical bills in the ensuing weeks and months. They never came. Because my father had Medicare and a Medigap plan.

saltcured 4y ago

I've been assisting elderly relatives with myriad physical and mental problems, and they also have Kaiser Medicare Advantage plans. For this elderly couple, out of pocket long-term care costs are about twice the US median income and that's sticking to a somewhat modest board and care environment. It's nice that the Kaiser copays and other billings are not significantly adding to that pile. I can't say every moment has been golden, but I think I will choose the same for myself if the landscape hasn't completely changed by then. I've had to reality-check myself at times, realizing that many of my complaints are about the sad decline of my relatives, rather than any actual problem with Kaiser's care. It can be overwhelming, and you'd wish there was someone to magically fix it. With end-of-life declines, the care outcomes often don't feel very satisfying. I've seen them through hospitalizations, ER trips, nursing home rehab, and home health visits. The only part that is frustrating is Medicare-induced rules, where they suddenly reach a threshold for transfer or discharge and you have to scramble in a reactive mode. I'm not sure how unique this is to Kaiser, but they can fail to consolidate communications through a care coordinator. So, you get chaotic days where multiple different staff and third party vendors are trying to reach you about the same topic all at once.