Molly Janczyk: Medicare

From Molly Janczyk, August 30, 2007
Subject: Medicare

If one is lucky enough to be healthy, they do not reach their $500 yearly deductible for the Plus Plan. Deductibles are higher for the Basic.

Medicare Soc. Sec. pays 80% of a claim after its own deductible system and then the patient must pay the deductible with STRS Supplemental as with all HC Plans. STRS kicks in when the $500 is paid by the patient. Then a claim is paid in this way: Medicare 80% after which it goes to STRS. STRS pays 80% of what is left. The patient then pays 20% of what remains.

It is misleading and confusing to base statements on folks who are healthy enough not to have HC costs. Ill recipients and STRS can validate their high costs for those who are not so lucky. IF they had Soc Sec only, they'd pay higher deduc. for hospital stays and 20% of costs to infinity with no stop gaps.

I fail to understand this purpose of ongoing bashing of benefits. It is not the benefits, it is the costs of them which is the issue. Soc. Sec. only would drain an ill person very quickly who exists on retiree pensions.

In my opinion, the post will raise concerns which are unfair and unsubstantiated. No offense intended and only trying not to further confuse those who are ill or alone.