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Originally Posted by wendyquat
I SO agree with you about the lack of choice in doctors! In some other areas of the country, doctors have quit accepting Medicare patients due to red tape and amounts paid by Medicare! With that in mind, you might not get the get the best doctors in an area that is made up primarily of Medicare recipients! I'm hoping I'll find a doctor that is not in it "just for the money" but so far have not been impressed.
As to your comment about seeking a "not for profit" hospital, that is not always a luxury you can expect to have. I assume if you are in an accident or have a stroke, heart attack or a number of other emergencies you're taken to the nearest hospital without much choice in the matter! Also, it seems to me that most treatments are not even done in a hospital any more. I can't imagine paying 20% out of pocket for things such as cancer treatments. I have had many friends treated for breast cancer and it is not unusual for one treatment to be in excess of $5,000 and this can go on for months and months. If one can't afford a Medicare supplement, it seems to me that an advantage plan would be better than nothing.
Let me know what Mr. Morse says!!
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Regarding the possibility of having to pay 20% out of pocket for breast cancer treatment, yes, that would be a lot of money. I think that most people who have Medicare DO have some sort of supplemental insurance that would likely cover the 20%. I am a breast cancer survivor of 10 years and I know that I COULD face this sort of treatment in the future if my cancer returns. However, I also know that my out-of-pocket total cost will be no more than $5000 per year. If you take into consideration that I am saving $3300 a year by being on an advantage plan my net cost would go down to $1700. I absolutely agree that an advantage plan would be the way to go if one can't afford a supplement to Medicare. Medicare without a supplement is like paying 20% of much of one's health care costs.