When you have  a doctor's appointment using medicare, do you have to bring your checkbook with you?  Pretty dumb question, but we have been using military hospitals/doctors for 40 years..   Wife turns 65 in a few weeks & we have no idea what to expect using medicare (can't use the base medical facilities anymore). 

Do they bill you, make you pay up front or what??!!

Many Thanks  --   Bullwinkle

I'm pretty sure it's medicare and not medicaid - the one you have to join at age 65.

The answer is I almost never pay anything extra; however, it wouldn't hurt to take it with you.  There are some procedures, that the doctor may decide to prescribe, which are not covered by Medicare.

I should have added that my response assumed that you also have Medicare supplemental insurance in addition to Medicare itself.  If you don't have supplemental insurance, you will probably incur additional charge.

If you have your  medicare card  and you have supplemental coverage, you won't pay anything. Medicare only pays 80%.  You have to pay the other 20% unless you have supplemental coverage..

I have Medicare and AARP supplemental coverage. Never have to pay anything.

Military retirees at age 65 get enrolled in Tricare for Life.  I think medicare gets billed first, then Tricare for Life - guess that makes it sort of a supplemental insurance plan.?

My dad has Tricare & medicare - Medicare has covered 1st & then Tricare picks up - He pays some on drugs deductable - so far not encountered any no pays from either but understand medicare pays less and less for extended & specialized care as you go along - he's to old to get additional aflac -type insurance but may be a good idea if you're young enough to still get it @ a resonable rate

If the physician is a Medicare participating provider you are not allowed to pay him directly. It is a severe no-no. The doctor could lose his license and go to jail.

Whatever Medicare doesn't pay Tricare for Life will pay. In the worst case you will be billed by Medicare, not the doctor.

 

I suggest that you go to: www.medicare.gov for enrollment info.

My recollection is that you're advised to begin the enrollment process at least one month before you turn 65.

You'll also need to think about your options under Medicare Part D -- Prescription Drug Coverage. 

I hear ya, Bullwinkle. Not a dumb question. Medicare sends you a thick booklet but they don't answer basic questions. Like, for example, where do I go for sick call?

We went through this a few years ago. With civilians everything is referrals. You can't just go see the guy who can fix you. You first have to go to something like a senior health center. Take a look at 211.com or something like that. You can find the nearest senior health center. Tell them you want an appointment because you're feeling ill, or have an ingrown toe nail, or whatever. Anything to get in the door.

I even tried VA. Now there's a joke. For VA you have to be broke or already in their system (disability or service-connected).

For eye problems -- start out with an optometrist and he'll refer you to a Medicare MD for glaucoma, cataracts, etc.

Take all your prescriptions to the nearest military pharmacy. No co-pays. Can't beat it.

 

For the sake of clarity, what WERman is describing applies to HMO or complete medicare supplementary plans.  It sounds like that's what he signed up for or that that's how tricare is organized although my friends who are on tricare don't have to get referrals, I think but I'm not 100% sure.  For the others out there, if you sign up for original medicare and supplementary, you don't need to do the referral bit.

Roberta 

Roger That!  We got a 100 plus page booklet in the mail - "Medicare & You 2008".  Also got a 30 plus page brochure - "Tricare For Life Handbook".  And a letter from the Department of Defense to go to the base to get a new ID card.  I get my presciptions at the nearby K-MART for $9 for a 90 day supply.  It's actually worth it - saves the hassle of going to the base.

$9 co-pay for 90 days supply ain't bad. We still keep our Actos prescription at Walgreens because, incredibly, the nearest Naval Medical Center (NMC) doesn't carry it. My wife's doctor wants Actos specifically so that's the way it goes. I go to NMC for everything else. Not really a hassle. Give them a phone call for refills (automated system) and they mail them out to you. Walgreens won't do that.

 

i forgot about the mail-order pharmacy option!  i'm still comfortable with Kmart - just wait till the pill bottle gets a little low & go get a refill.