Medicare: pros and cons?

[Hawkgirl]

Thank you for the thoughts!

I will be interested to see how Obamacare plays out (if it doesn't get repealed), because I STRONGLY suspect my husband's company will dump offering healthcare insurance as soon as they're able. And then who knows what will happen.

But it sounds like asking my current docs about Medicare is a smart thing to do!

[onlyairfare]

Doctor availability depends on what state and city you live in, as in some areas all the doctors accept Medicare, and in some areas very few doctors accept Medicare.

Usually the problem is primary care physicians because Medicare pays them so little that it costs more to see the patient the Medicare reimburses. Since specialists get paid more for procedures, they can still earn an income seeing Medicare patients.

You might ask friends/family on Medicare if they have trouble getting to see a doctor. Or ask your own doctors if they accept Medicare patients, and call a few other offices to ask if they would see you if you were on Medicare.

[browneyedlana]

I am on medicare and have had not one single doctor refuse my insurance.Infact before I went on this crazy MS or not MS ride,I had a gastric bypass and there was no preauthrization or anything like bcbs had to do.The only referrals I need are to doctors that have the policy by referrel only for any insurance.All other doctor even specialists I can make appointments myself and see anyone I want.it is your decision but I have had no problem with it.

[Hawkgirl]

My DH wants me to get on Medicare. Right now we have insurance through his company, and it is the pits. $700/mo to cover our family and every member of the family has a $5000 deductible. That's $25,000 total. All our co-pays are $30 or higher. BUT, if hubby switches to the plan that only covers himself and the kids, the premium drops down to ~$200/mo. (That made me suspicious that "plan options" are directed at me, the only spouse in a fairly small company who has a chronic illness.)

I'm on SSDI so I *think* I would qualify for Medicare. But I've heard bad stories about docs that don't accept Medicare patients and stuff. Does anyone have some pros and cons to consider?