Molly Janczyk: responds to June Hughes: Medicare: Basic vs. Plus: Lifetime limit

Molly Janczyk: Medicare: Basic vs. Plus: Lifetime limit
From Molly Janczyk, April 10, 2007
Subject: Medicare: Basic vs. Plus: Lifetime limit

Basic has much higher deduc. and out of pocket max. Basic deduc: $1500 each + $2500 each out of pcket max Plus: $500 deduc each + $1500 each out of pocket max.

Premiums are lower for Basic:

Basic: Non-Medicare: $94 / spouse: $313; Medicare: $40/ spouse: $148 Plus: Non Medicare: $163/spouse: $581; Medicare: $67/ spouse: $301

Lower monthly cost is the attraction for Basic while 'betting' on low medical costs. If you do develop medical problems, you pay much more out of pockets.

THE LIFETIME LIMIT YOU REFERRED TO UNDER STRS IS:

$2.5 MILLION FOR EACH PERSON

ALL THIS IS IN OUR MATERIALS.

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From: June Hughes
Subject: Re: Kathie: Medicare Part A Date:
Tue, 10 Apr 2007

One more question, I know I could read this but to put it in simple terms, what is the advantage of Plus over the Basic? June

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On Apr 10, 2007, at 11:31 AM, molly janczyk wrote:

Soc. Sec. Medicare only is cheaper becaue there IS NO SUPPLEMENTAL and THERE ARE NO STOP GAPS FOR MAXIMUM OUT OF POCKETS so YOU pay 20% of all costs no matter how high they go AND the initial costs.

We pay more because we have Medicare Part B. (Dr., treatments, procedures, out patient, etc.) Part B is $93.50 to all whether Soc Sec or STRS, OPERS, etc. STRS reimburses $52.80 and you actually pay $40.70

Part A (hospital coverage) is free to all including us but if you do not qualify, instead of Medicare Part A, STRS equivilant comprehensive STRS hospital and facility coverage. (So we all have hospital coverage as well).

THEN WE HAVE SUPPLEMENTAL THRU STRS which keeps our costs down to maximum out of pockets after deduc..

Most Soc. Sec. recipients out there DO purchase a suplemental as well for this reason.

For a supplemental you must pay ADDT'L premiums: We pay $40 for Basic supplemental and spouse would be $148. We pay $67 for Plus suppleemental and spouse would be $301.

Add this to the Part B premium of $40.70 for each recipient.

To have supplemental coverage you must pay for it. But, it provides stop gaps and protection of paying 20% of huge hospital and Dr., treatements, procedure, etc.

Everything I know is in the report. For further info, go to or call STRS; Medicare.gov