Jim Kimmel re: Deductibles

From Jim Kimmel, August 26, 2007
Subject: Medicare supplemental (Med Mutual ) deductible

I just got an EOB which told me I got nothing in benefits because I had not yet fulfilled my $500.00 deductible. I began to think: Before I was on Medicare there was a $500.00 deductible but then I would more quickly reach it because ALL my medical bills went through. It was my Primary insurer. Now that I am on Medicare and Med Mutual is only supplemental paying only 80% or the 20% Medicare doesn't pay I am STILL required to accumulate $500.00 before the coverage kicks in. Medicare's deductible in less than half that. That seems like a rigged game to me. You get less coverage and yet you still have to meet the same $500.00 deductible! I bet many retirees over 65 with Medicare never reach the supplemental $500.00 deductible because pays out such a smaller amount. And the pharmacy bills do not count for deductible, of course. Since it pays less it should require a smaller deductible. And the supplemental premiums are certainly high enough.

It would be interesting to know what percent of retirees never hit the Med Mutual supplemental in a given year. Or over the past few years? Shouldn't that be helping the Healthcare Stabilization Fund? Could the deductible be lowered to match Medicare's which it supposedly "shadows"?

Jim Kimmel