24% increase in Medicare Part D

[Sonora Shepherd]

We just got notice from Allied HealthCare that our prescription premium is going from $58.80 a month to $72.70 per month per person for Medicare Part D. The way the law was written for Part D, we have to pay for it or we lose our Medigap coverage. We are trapped. Most of the time our insurance doesn't pay anything for our scrips because the co-pay is more than the cost of the drug. When I sent scrips to Costco, I asked the pharmacist if we were better off ordering scrips with or without our Part D coverage, and he said, without. So I am spending $72.70 per month for each of us for nothing. Is anyone out there in the same boat? United Health Care made a big profit last quarter. This is all underwritten by AARP. Are they helping us? Or are they part of the problem? I used to think they were in our court, but I don't think they are really helping us anymore. Any other opinions on this? Thanks.

[freshstart]

can you switch to a Medicare Advantage plan that may include drug coverage for cheaper?

[Sonora Shepherd]

Freshstart - thanks for the Medicare Advantage idea. I am pursuing that. According to the latest rate increase we got from United Healthcare, next year our premiums for Medicare supplement and Part D, will be $7901 per year.

[Lainey]

This is all making me nervous. I had always assumed that when I turn 65 (in 4 years) that Medicare will be relatively cheap, even cheaper than the Obamacare I'll have to use for a few years. Now I have no idea what costs may actually jump to by 2020.
I'm probably joining Rob on the bus to Mexico to pick up the cheap prescriptions...

[sweetana3]

Mom got so many options for health insurance in Indiana for the over 65s that we had to go to a State specialist to compare them and choose. She does not travel, is relatively healthy for 84, lives within 2 miles from a big hospital, etc. so we were able to choose a localized plan. Premiums ran from zero to $66 and up.

Does your state have a program to help seniors navigate the insurance area? Mine is Indiana and the program is SHIP.

[freshstart]

my state also has Navigators starting 11/1

[catherine]

I'm turning 65, and I can't believe I can't wait--because I get to reduce my health insurance costs. I'm starting to get all the pamphlets and brochures from AARP and insurance carriers.

I may just start out with the rock bottom plan, because (knock wood) I have no chronic conditions, take no prescription drugs, and basically just see my doctor for a physical once every couple of years. I know that's very subject to change, but I can always upgrade to higher coverage plans during open enrollment periods as time goes on.

[ApatheticNoMore]

Nah I wouldn't be in any rush to turn 65 if it's still going to cost $7901 per year!!! That is completely ridiculous. Who can afford that nonsense. Not likely in retirement. Maybe if working *barely*. Probably the only viable plan is to stay healthy and then die promptly.

[Teacher Terry]

We pay 10k/year for our coverage. It is a huge expense. When I turn 65 in 3 years my costs will go down but DH will need to go on Obamacare so we will probably not save any $ at all. He is 5 years younger then me.