The COVID JAB UPDATED POLL

[neurosis]

I don't know what's worse.  Having to wait 18 months for a hip replacement or the fact that over 60% of US bankruptcies are caused directly by medical expenses or that a lot of those bankruptcies caused older (50 and over) to lose their home because of it.

Our health care system is becoming flat out unaffordable.  

Just ranting because we're changing insurance companies AGAIN and our max out of pocket and deductible went up 10%. 

[CNCAppsJames]

Know this; The more government involvement therenis, the more fucked up it gets.

[neurosis]

Know this; The more government involvement therenis, the more fucked up it gets.

I know this. They have no incentive to even attempt to fix the problem. The way things are going, 5 years from now my insurance is going to be worthless other than helping with potential chronic illness.

I've already hit my max out of pocket this year ($7500) and it's going up to over $8000 with the new plan. I'm  glad that doesn't happen every year.  I'd be in that bankrupt due to medical bills statistic. 

On a positive note, my mortgage should be paid off by the end of next year and that will give me a chance to save for potential future issues.

I don't know how anyone could be expected to save for retirement this way.  We have one guy here who has blood flow issues in his legs. He's had probably 5? surgeries and has hit his max out of pocket at least 6 of the last 10 years.

[Smit]

Hang in there for a few more years. There really is some good news when you reach 65.

As Medicare has become a reality to me I've had to do a lot of research on the various parts and plans. The good news is once you hit 65 and are eligible for medicare, healthcare becomes much more affordable.

With Medicare Part A (hospital), Part B(outpatient), Part D (prescriptions) and plan G (medigap) can all be had for probably less than $400 a month. Social security will cover that with plenty left over. And those choices will cover just about everything that comes up.

I'm planning to retire in January (ish) so I'm going full medicare in January.

[neurosis]

Hang in there for a few more years. There really is some good news when you reach 65.

I guess that really depends on who is in office and which party controls legislation between now and then?    

[Smit]

I guess that really depends on who is in office and which party controls legislation between now and then?    

I don't think so, at least not for us older folks. I do believe that many Republicans would very much like to do away with medicare and social security but it would be political death to do so.

They could start bumping it further into the future so it will affect younger people more, and that will probably happen.

But outside of medicare I think it will continue to get worse. The costs of health care never seem to get better do they?

[Jim at Gentex]

I do believe that many Republicans would very much like to do away with medicare and social security but it would be political death to do so.

On what do you base that conclusion?
I would like to know which Republicans have ever stated that.

I have heard many who want to cut the waste, fraud, and abuse out of federal benefit programs, but none I am aware of who would 'do away' with them altogether.

Are you sure you aren't just projecting your own personal bias against Republicans...again? 

[neurosis]

They could start bumping it further into the future so it will affect younger people more, and that will probably happen.

I think Pence was saying something about 40 and older should be grandfathered in (paraphrasing) but they should consider reforms for 40 and under. Lots of Conservatives still looking to push the age up and privatize.

[Smit]

Are you sure you aren't just projecting your own personal bias against Republicans...again? 

I should have said "reform" social security and medicare to be more accurate. Regardless, google Rick Scotts ideas on social security and medicare "reform."

It didn't go over well and got dropped really quick. As I said, it's political death.

I think Pence was saying something about 40 and older should be grandfathered in (paraphrasing) but they should consider reforms for 40 and under. Lots of Conservatives still looking to push the age up and privatize.

The further you are away from retirement the less important it seems to be so that would make sense.

[mowens]

I signed up for social security when I reached full retirement age. Apparently, that also signs you up for medicare because I got my card in the mail not long after. My employer health insurance includes an HSA so I hadn't signed up before.

I still haven't used it; it will be my secondary insurance and it just feels like, once I do, it'll just open a big can of worms.

[neurosis]

I signed up for social security when I reached full retirement age. Apparently, that also signs you up for medicare because I got my card in the mail not long after. My employer health insurance includes an HSA so I hadn't signed up before.

I still haven't used it; it will be my secondary insurance and it just feels like, once I do, it'll just open a big can of worms.

In smaller shops I don't think you have a choice. I believe that it's 20 employees and under, the employee *must* sign up for medicare and it's considered the employees primary insurance. You can get penalized for not signing up.   

[Smit]

In smaller shops I don't think you have a choice. I believe that it's 20 employees and under, the employee *must* sign up for medicare and it's considered the employees primary insurance. You can get penalized for not signing up.

Yes it's important to do it right to avoid those penalties. The penalties add 10% annually permanently so that's a really big deal over time.

Here is a link to a page a friend sent me that explains in pretty clear language some of things to understand about medicare. There are lots of informative links to follow there too.

Time to decide

[mkd]

I subscribe to some ex-pat youtube channels. They say south American medical cost and quality is much better than in the US. Seems like a legit way to bide your time before medicare kicks in and save money living in a tropical climate.

[CNCAppsJames]

Typical smithead... lying about Republican's intentions and fear mongering.

Clean up the fraud, abuse, waste, and give people options. That is ALL I've ever heard. Leftist always gotta lie because that's all they got.

[Smit]

That, Nutboy, is a lie.