A few observations and thoughts on Medicare

[wacojoe]

It never hurts to have a ready excuse...

[Mike]

Nearing the end of my first year of Medicare, I have no complaints. I was apprehensive about making the switch because all I've ever heard about Medicare was bad. I had forgotten no one ever says good things about anything any more, all they want to do is complain. So, I'm a happy camper, so far.

[mgrist]

Mike, take a look at this. It might apply to what you have gone through.

I got some insight into loss of cognitive ability during the first week in the hospital---and I did not like it one bit. They had me on an IV pain medication that I could control to some degree---and it made me stupid. It was the worst feeling I have ever had. It was like standing in front of a filing cabinet and everything I needed to function was inside that cabinet----and I had zero ability to open the drawers. I could not do the simplest mathematical calculation or follow a train of reason. If that is the same state as drug addicts find themselves I am at a loss as to why anyone would find that attractive

I still can't open any drawers. It's like I think can figure it out, yea, yea, yea but then when I reach for the drawer I've forgotten what I was doing. Paperwork OMG, complete panic attack that then makes everything even worse. I'm going to jump on your link farther away from med time (-: They are not the cause of the brain damage though I'm sure they don't help. Thanks Dave

[Dave Grubb]

Nearing the end of my first year of Medicare, I have no complaints. I was apprehensive about making the switch because all I've ever heard about Medicare was bad. I had forgotten no one ever says good things about anything any more, all they want to do is complain. So, I'm a happy camper, so far.

Please don't take my comments as negative, overall Medicare remains the best health care I have ever had and I worked for companies that had excellent health care plans.

I do think that it is regrettable that some things that previously were covered no longer are--and that is taking place with no (at least to my knowledge) public knowledge---and I suspect they are regulatory and below the legislative radar. To compound the issue created is the fact that like so many things those changes hurt the ones who can least afford to pick up their own costs.

I would be happy to forego any of these former benefits if I knew that someone living on SS who was without ability to pay did not go without.

[Mike]

No, Dave. I wasn't referencing your comments. I was speaking of things I'd heard for years prior to my enrollment. My biggest concern was whether my doctors would accept Medicare, but that has not been a problem. I really haven't seen any change from my excellent employer paid coverage.

[wacojoe]

We had serious difficulty finding neurologists who would accept Medicare patients here. We have been turned away from various specialists for my wife because they did not accept Medicare. She has severe skin problems and we have been told by her dermatologist that Medicare is notorious for refusing paying much for skin medications. Sure enough, the one which helps my wife the most is a cream which costs $1500 per tube in the U.S. and Medicare will not pay any of it. In Canada it costs around $100!

[mgrist]

My biggest concern was whether my doctors would accept Medicare, but that has not been a problem. I really haven't seen any change from my excellent employer paid coverage.

That's good to hear, if I can get my back put back together I can get off of these pills, what I have now (medicaid) doesn't cover much of anything.