Kidney
Medicare Plans
Hi all,
I'm a kidney transplant recipient, 30 years on May 12, 2024 and very grateful!
I'll turn 65 in September, 2024. I currently work full-time and have employer insurance. My husband and I are talking about retirement, either the end of 2024 or March .2025
Prior to retiring, we'll need to sign up for Medicare. We've been inundated with Medicare mailings and calls. It's extremely confusing.
Being a transplant recipient, puts me is a different category with immunosuppressive meds, multiple physician appointments etc.
I would appreciate your feedback on the following questions please.
1) I'm looking at traditional Mediocre with Plan G supplement - anyone have the same and what has been your experience?
2) It's my understanding that Part B will cover immunosuppressants? Is there any additional costs other than the mandatory Part B fee?
3) I'll need a Plan D for meds. - what plan do you suggest?
4) I'll need to get a dental plan- what do you suggest?
5) I'll need a vision plan - what do you suggest?
6) What has been your experience with Medicare coverages?
7) any other information/considerations you can share that will help in making the Medicare insurance decisions is greatly appreciated.
I'm very grateful to have this forum, with other recipients, to reach out to and look forward to your feedback.
Thank you. God Bless 🙏
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I am 43 with a kidney transplant going on my fourth year with this kidney and I wish you the best. Remote part-time work is my goal but jobs with that description seem to go quickly. I’ll monitor this thread.
Congrats on kidney. I am 68 and have been on Medicare. I was transplanted in 2003. My experience with Medicare is as follows:
1 A plan G plan is best as it’s as more inclusive than others. I have never paid for any procedure outside of premium.
2 Part B does cover your immunosuppressants. You do pay the co pay and pharmacy reimburses you. it can take awhile though.
3 Plan D is specific to your medicines and state you live in I believe. Look at the tiers that fit your other meds not covered by plan B. Many plans are very similar on what they pay so you can look for lowest premium in most cases.
4/5 I do not have insurance for dental or vision. Really don’t payoff due to max payouts.
6 Even with Medicare you will need medical travel insurance if you travel internationally due to $50,000 lifetime cap.
my experience has been excellent except for tracking down the reimbursement of the copay. Even calls to Medicare are handled very professionally so far.
Brian
I found a local agent of Medicare. She found best plan for me after she learned my history. I’m very happy for the plan. They are the professionals in that field.
Take care.
Hi and congratulations on 30 years! My Son is on year 3 of his second transplant and had Medicare which in turn led to me getting my insurance license and learning all I can about Medicare. That being said I would have my Son enroll in a Supplement when he turns 65 if he can afford the monthly premium and the part D premium and the Part B. You have many options while you are in your Initial Enrollment Period so I would really encourage you to find a local agent that can sit down with you and help you explore all the options and you can make the most educated decision. There are changes coming to Part D this year as well that has cost savings however it may drive up premiums on part D and supplement plans but will have to wait until October to see just what those will look like. Please do not hesitate to reach out, I would love to help!
Good morning, thank you for the great information.
I've been reading that Medicare will not pay for routine labs other than once a year with annual physical. This concerns me as I get my labs drawn every 2 month to keep an eye on my kidney function. Will Medicare cover standing orders ( every 2 months etc.)?
As you know, transplant recipients have much more medical needs that the regular person. Frequent various provider appointments, expensive immunosuppressive meds, labs etc.
Hoping to retire but SCARED and need to be 100% confident that my current medical needs will continue as they do now with my employer insurance.
I really appreciate your help.
Tina.
In my 4 years on Medicare I have never paid a dime out of pocket except for deductibles. I have my labs done 2x per year. All of my doc visits (including specialists) have been covered and immunosuppressants are 100% covered by plan B, not part of plan D.
It will all come down to what plan you choose and if you decide to go the Medicare Supplement(Medigap) route or the Medicare Advantage (Part C) route. Since you just turned 65 now is the time to definitely sit down with an agent and look at all the options since you have the Initial Enrollment period open for 3 more months after turning 65. What state are you in and I can see if I can help you find a local agent if you like?