Medicare Things to Consider

Updated 10-15-08

Hello GM Folks!

We are pleased to announce a new service that we feel will be very beneficial to Over The Hill Car People members. We are providing a company that is similar to Extend Health for your consideration.

My Part D USA, will be available to you NOW for all of your questions concerning Medicare Plans ( Medicare Supplemental/Medigap Plans, Medicare Advantage Plans, and Medicare Part D/Drug Plans. They can make Medicare Plan comparisons for you NOW. They will also be able to assist you with your 2009 Medicare enrollment in November 2008 if you choose, just as Extend Health can. All services provided by My Part D USA are done FREE of charge to you!

Please understand they are not necessarily a replacement for Extend Health and you should continue with your plans to listen to Extend Health's recommendations, as GM has requested. My Part D USA is available, so you as members, of Over The Hill Car People will have another source to utilize before you make your final decision as to which Medicare Plan is best for you. You can also visit www.medicare.gov for additional information concerning all Medicare decisions. Additional Medicare Health Care information can be found at this link: http://overthehillcarpeople.com/medicarethingstoconsiderletter100708.htm .

My Part D USA contact information is as follows and they are available NOW for your questions.

Office Toll Free #: 1-866-752-1795
Fax: 1-423-752-1796
Web Site: http://mypartdusa.com/

All services provided by My Part D USA are done FREE of charge to you! We would appreciate your feed back about the FREE services of this company. Please send an e-mail to spoacdc1@aol.com and let us know what you think of the services you were provided by My Part D USA.

You can visit our "Discussion Bulletin Board" and learn more about My Part D USA . You can also read their articles and post your questions to My Part D USA . They will monitor the "Discussion Bulletin Board" forum and post a reply to your questions.

We hope this will be of assistance to you with all of the tough decisions you are being required to make due to GM canceling your Health Benefits for 2009. Overthehillcarpeople.com is providing this as a service only and does not endorse or dispute any comments made by Extend Health , My Part D USA or www.medicare.gov . We are not an insurance company, nor are we experts on Medicare or any other subject for that matter. You should consult with all resources available to you so YOU can make the most informed decisions that are best for your individual Health Care needs.

Best Regards,

Jack Dickinson


This is a list of things to consider BEFORE you enroll in a Medicare Plan! Hopefully, this information will help you make the best decisions for YOUR health care (Medicare Supplemental Plans - also called Medigap plans) and (Medicare Part D) prescription plans.

1. A ONE – SIZE – FITS - ALL approach is not the way to make a decision. Do not take the first plans that are offered to you by Extend Health or any other insurance sales company. Remember, anyone (and we mean, anyone) trying to sell you a Medicare Plan policy does so because they make a commission on what they sell you. Some plans, such as Medicare Advantage Plans, may bring higher commissions.

2. Not all Medicare Part D plans (prescription drug plans) are the same. There are over 50 plans in each state. You must choose your drug plan based on your individual needs and the actual drug names that you use. If you take a generic, look up the generic name and make a list of all the drugs you take now. If you are not taking a generic, you might want to contact your doctor to see if your medication comes in a generic form. If so, have him change your prescription to the generic drug.

3. At some point you must make a comparison of the Medicare Part D drug plans based on the drugs you take. You should make a list now so you will have it during the AEP (AEP - time period you can enroll in Medicare Programs), beginning Nov. 15 - Dec. 31st. You can also go to www.medicare.gov and make a comparison of plans now so you will be more informed when the Extend Health agent contacts you. Important – you DO NOT have to use Extend Health, My Part D USA or any other insurance sales company to enroll in any Medicare Plans!!!! This can be done by contacting the insurance company direct or by visiting www.medicare.gov and choosing your plans. However, we do believe it is in your best interest to listen to what Extend Health, and My Part D USA has to say. If you do not agree, then take the actions above or let us know and we will try to assist you to get enrolled before December 31, 2008!

4. Beginning January 1, 2009, if you do not have a Medicare Part D Plan that covers all drugs (covers the “Donut Hole Gap”), and all drug cost, buy as many of your drugs from retail outlets as possible. Over 400 drugs are listed on Wal-Marts generic drug list for $4 for a 30 day supply or $10 for a 90 day supply. You can also go to other large retailers if you don’t like Wal-Mart. There is a list of other retailers posted at this link http://www.overthehillcarpeople.com/drugsgogenericfree081608.htm. This information will help to keep you OUT of the "DREADED DONUT HOLE" longer in 2009.

5. The "Donut Hole" = Explanation = When you purchase a Part D Medicare Drug Plan you will pay the first $295.00 which is called a deductible. After that your covered drugs are paid for up to $2,700.00, less co-pays. Once the $2,700.00 is reached you fall into what is called the "Donut Hole." Which means you will pay all of your drug cost until you reach $4,350. At that point the "Donut Hole" is gone and your Medicare Part D plan will pay for your covered drugs, less co-pays. There are Medicare Part D drug plans that DO COVER the "DREADED DONUT HOLE" so ask Extend Health and/or other insurance sales companies about those plans!!! When your doctor prescribes a new medication for you, ask him for a generic drug. Second, ask him for samples, or get a 5 or 10 day supply. The reason is, you may not be able to take the new med because of the side effects or it may simply not work for you. Every prescription you purchase goes TOWARD YOUR FALLING INTO THE "READED DONUT HOLE" if you do not have a Medicare Part D Plan that covers the “Donut Hole Gap.” So don’t get a full prescription until you know you will be taking this medication.

6. Make sure you consider a "MEDICARE SUPPLEMENT PLAN - also called Medigap plans" FIRST, before you choose a MEDICARE ADVANTAGE PLAN. You have what is called a 63 day Guarantee Issue Period in which to choose a Medicare Supplement Plan - also called Medigap plans with NO HEALTH QUESTIONS ASKED, and almost NO PRE-EXISTING CONDITIONS EXCLUDED.

7. Remember, a Medicare Supplement Plan F is a Medicare Supplement Plan F, a Medicare Supplement Plan J is a Medicare Supplement Plan J, no matter which insurance company you choose. All these Medicare Supplement Plans - (also called Medigap plans) are regulated by the Centers for Medicare and contain the exact SAME BENEFITS! The only difference is the price you will pay for your premium. There is no sense in paying more than you absolutely must pay to these insurance companies, so do your homework and research all companies for the best price and coverage for your individual needs! These Medicare Supplement Plans - (also called Medigap plans) for 2009 will not be available for comparisons until November 15, 2008.

8. If you get a MEDICARE ADVANTAGE PLAN first, you will possibly FORFEIT your right to get a Medicare Supplement Plan - (also called Medigap plans) with no underwriting! (meaning most all pre-existing conditions are covered). In order to have a 12 month trial period, you must first have had a Medicare Supplement Plan policy - (also called Medigap plans) before joining a Medicare Advantage Plan. Some GM retirees may think they want to try out a Medicare Advantage Plan. That is your right to choose whatever plan is best for you. HOWEVER, REMEMBER YOU NEED TO GET A MEDICARE SUPPLEMENT PLAN FIRST, SO IF YOU DON’T LIKE THE MEDICARE ADVANTAGE PLAN, YOU STILL CAN RETAIN YOUR RIGHT TO ENROLL IN A MEDICARE SUPPLEMENT PLAN - (also called Medigap plans) WITH NO UNDERWRITING (meaning most all pre-existing conditions are covered). You could be turned down for health reasons if you join a Medicare Advantage Plan first. Medicare Advantage Plans and the agents (Extend Health & other insurance sales companies) sometimes will not tell you about this VERY IMPORTANT CHOICE TO HELP YOU MAKE THE BEST DECISION. Why?……IT MAY BE BECAUSE THEY GET PAID MORE commissions on MEDICARE ADVANTAGE PLANS. The commissions on these MEDICARE ADVANTAGE PLANS may be at least double the commissions on a MEDICARE SUPPLEMENT PLAN - (also called Medigap plans)........ When you enroll in a Medicare Supplement Plan - (also called Medigap plans), the ONLY WAY YOU CAN BE denied the right to stay enrolled for life IS TO NOT PAY YOUR PREMIUM, or if you cancel the policy. You are guaranteed coverage for life, no matter what happens with your health. You DO NOT HAVE TO RE-ENROLL EACH YEAR FOR YOUR MEDICARE SUPPLEMENT PLAN - (also called Medigap plans).

9. Catastrophic Coverage - GM retirees lost their Extended Care Coverage (ECC) effective 01-01-2009, so make sure you ask the Extend Health or My Part D USA or other insurance company sales persons about catastrophic coverage and the cost!!! ECC is not the same as Catastrophic Coverage, but Catastrophic Coverage is something you may really need in the future. Remember, if you were enrolled in a 2008 GM Enhanced PPO program your maximum Out-Of-Pocket annual expense was $2,000.00 Individual and $4,000.00 Family. Make certain Extend Health or My Part D USA or other insurance company sales persons discuss what your Medicare plans annual Maximum Out Of Pocket expenses will be.

10. Most GM retirees will want to maintain the same coverage they had with GM. Honestly, this will be very hard to do at any cost. You must, however, make certain you are comparing "Apples to Apples" when deciding on which Medicare Plans you decide are best for you. Additional Medicare Health Care information can be found at this link: http://overthehillcarpeople.com/medicarethingstoconsiderletter100708.htm .

We all have been very concerned that GM Retirees will join plans that may be harmful for them because of aggressive marketing of the Medicare Advantage Plans. If the GM retiree makes a mistake on getting the right Medicare Plan for their needs, it will probably be too late by the time they learn they have the wrong Medicare Plan. Remember all of the people who try to sell you a Medicare Plan are sales people and will make a commission on the Medicare Plan you purchase!!!

Folks, if we can be of assistance, please visit our GM group of retirees at www.overthehillcarpeople.com . You will find an enormous amount of information that will help you at this difficult time for all GM retirees. We have tried to get in touch with as many GM Retirees as possible, but, of course, we don’t have any way to do that other than relying on them to come to our website at www.overthehillcarpeople.com .