Recent content by Free_at_49

A little update: Even though I signed up for BCBS Medicare Supplement, BCBS went ahead and renewed my Blue Advantage from last year at the same $ rate. They think I need 2 insurances?

Do a calcium score before agreeing to take statins. My score was 0 (zero) so there's no need for drugs even if my cholesterol is high. Cholesterol by itself is not a disease, 260 may be normal & harmless for you.

I hope you got the Medigap right because that's what I signed up for. ;D

Thank you, that’s the best explanation ever. I went ahead and signed up for “Blue Medicare Supplement HD Plan F” for $25/mo, only because it includes international coverage. The fine print says that the premium is not the same for all males my age, that BCBS can increase it at will based on my...

So if I leave the US (and not using Medicare at all) I can drop Part B and save $134/mo? How does one drop Part B?

Thank you. I have to have insurance while in the US in case of emergency. I can’t just fly back to Canada, they won’t let you in the plane if you’re bleeding. $400/mo would be an outrage in any other western country. Wasn’t Medicare intended to be FREE healthcare for retirees because they’ve...

Here, I just got a quote. There's 18 bullets at the bottom: 2018 Plans Showing 3 plans...

True, in Canada I’m covered for life, no BS, no billing. Here’s what I found on Part D The premium for a Part D drug plan averages to about $31 a month. Depending on the plan you choose you may have a drug deductible to pay which can be as high as $310/year. The higher the plan D premium...

Yeah it is tricky by design. I’ve read the stuff on *.gov but there are countless acronyms that you all know from birth that are meaningless to me. I applied for Medicare simply because I’m entitled, but hope to never have to use it since I’ll be in EU. I’m looking at BCBS Medicare Advantage...

Thank you. BCBS has been mailing me plans for continuing my existing Blue Advantage as if I had no other insurance, AND Medigap/supplemental plans for $100/mo. Regular Blue Advantage would be without ACA “subsidy” i.e. $1500/mo, that’s a LOL for me. From what I’ve read supplemental insurance...

I applied for Medicare by phone and received a card. It says Part A and B, they bill me quarterly $134/mo until I start collecting SS whereupon they simply deduct it from my monthly SS. Can I really get free healthcare anywhere in the US just like back home in Canada? I already have BCBS Blue...

Thank you. UPJ obstruction used to require major surgery. Now it's repaired with a simple laser treatment, without surgery. Urologists didn't lose their job, but profitability for assembly-line type of medical groups plummeted.

I'm reading that there are new techniques being developed that grow cartilage from the patient's own cells and deposited where there is damage. Does anybody have experience with that? If this works, it will make obsolete doctors that have spent decades perfecting their knee replacement skills.

The OP has a very good point. Since ACA, when buying insurance on healthcare .gov it is to your advantage to have the lowest possible taxable income. In my case, drawing money from IRAs would create high taxable income. So I'm using regular after-tax accounts for living expenses. They generate...

I discovered Quicksilver accidentally. I was looking for a card that doesn't charge foreign transaction fees. I have to test it out though, they may have some hidden fee in the Euro/Dollar exchange rate.