Nursing Home Alternative

My mother sent me this and I felt obliged to share it with you ~ Hope you enjoy!

NO NURSING HOME FOR ME!!!

No nursing home for us. We'll be checking into a Holiday Inn!

 With the average cost for a nursing home care costing $188.00 per day, there is a better way when we get old and too feeble.

 I've already checked on reservations at the Holiday Inn.
 For a combined long term stay discount and senior discount, it's $59.23 per night.
 Breakfast is included, and some have happy hours in the afternoon.
That leaves $128.77 a day for lunch and dinner in any restaurant we want, or room service, laundry, gratuities and special TV movies.

Plus, they provide a spa, swimming pool, a workout room, a lounge and washer-dryer, etc.
Most have free toothpaste and razors, and all have free shampoo and soap.
$5 worth of tips a day you'll have the entire staff scrambling to help you.
They treat you like a customer, not a patient.
There's a city bus stop out front, and seniors ride free.
The handicap bus will also pick you up (if you fake a decent limp).

To meet other nice people, call a church bus on Sundays.


For a change of scenery, take the airport shuttle bus and eat at one of the nice restaurants there.
While you're at the airport, fly somewhere. Otherwise, the cash keeps building up.


It takes months to get into decent nursing homes. Holiday Inn will take your reservation today.


And you're not stuck in one place forever -- you can move from Inn to Inn, or even from city to city.


Want to see Hawaii? They have Holiday Inn there too.

TV broken? Light bulbs need changing? Need a mattress replaced? No problem.. They fix everything, and apologize for the inconvenience.

The Inn has a night security person and daily room service. The maid checks to see if you are ok. If not, they'll call an ambulance . . . or the undertaker.
If you fall and break a hip, Medicare will pay for the hip, and Holiday Inn will upgrade you to a suite for the rest of your life.

And no worries about visits from family. They will always be glad to find you, and probably check in for a few days mini-vacation.

The grandkids can use the pool.

What more could I ask for?


So, when I reach that golden age, I'll face it with a grin!I
If you would like the original e-mail with pictures, click "Ask a Question" and request "nursing home alternative e-mail" . I'll send it to you.

Nursing Home Cost in Texas

On Facebook, Medicare Answers From Connie asked:  What do you think is the average yearly cost in Texas of a nursing home semi-private room?

$46,000/Year - 5 people chose this answer
$25,000/Year - 1 person chose this answer
An Arm and A Leg - 1 person chose this answer
Unreasonable (a write in!) - 3 people chose this answer
 
The average yearly cost in Texas of a nursing home semi-private room is $46,000 / Year. Thats for a shared room. A private room runs around $60,000/year. Thanks everyone who participated!

Medicare and Long Term Care

Medicare and Long Term Care

Question:  Does Medicare cover Nursing home expenses?

Answer: In some situations Medicare covers Skilled Nursing Facility Care but you must meet Medicare requirements and the length of coverage is limited.

Medicare will cover the first 20 days in a Medicare approved skilled nursing facility IF the admission comes within 30 days of having been in a hospital for at least 3 days and all other Medicare requirements are met. After the first 20 days, Medicare covers all but $141.50/day (for 2011) up through the 100th day. From day 101, you are responsible for all costs.

A Medicare Supplement can pay the costs not paid by Medicare for days 21 through 100.

I’ve never had a client say they were looking forward to going to the nursing home and it’s not something any of us like to think about. As one ages it becomes more probable to require attention and so often it’s people 65 plus who are talking to me about long term care coverage. It’s expensive at that point! I will be addressing this issue in my June ’11 newsletter. You can join the mailing list on the HOME page.

Medicare, What to Do, When to Do It?

What to Do About Medicare and When to Do It!

Question:  I turn 65 soon. I have no idea what I’m supposed to do about Medicare or when I’m supposed to do it!

Answer: First, you automatically get Medicare Part A when you turn 65 so long as you or a spouse has earned enough work credits. Part A is the part of Medicare that pays for hospitalization. Next you have to decide if you need Medicare Part B. Medicare Part B pays for doctor visits and outpatient procedures. Basically it comes down to whether you have other qualifying insurance. For instance, if you have insurance from an employer you may not need Medicare Part B. In these situations you will not be penalized for failing to enroll in Medicare Part B when you reach age 65. Otherwise, you have 3 months before you turn 65 and 3 months after you turn 65 to enroll in Medicare Part B. You will receive a penalty for enrolling late once outside your initial enrollment. If you are receiving Social Security payments you will automatically be enrolled in Medicare Part B at age 65. If you have postponed receiving Social Security, you must contact the Social Security office (1-800-772-1213) to enroll in Medicare Part B or let them know you are delaying or declining enrollment.

Once you get Medicare Part A and B taken care of you have to decide how you will get your prescription coverage and if you need a supplement. You may have discovered that you get your prescription coverage through an employer group plan or through military service-related coverage. If not, you have the option of a stand-alone drug plan or some Medicare Advantage plans offer prescription coverage as part of their plan (you have the same 3 months before/3 months after your 65th birthday time frame to make this decision). Medicare and Medicare Advantage Plans do not cover 100% of all services. A Medicare Supplement picks up what original Medicare does not pay. You have several options when choosing prescription coverage and coverage for the GAPS left by Medicare A and B.

Here are two videos. One explains what Medicare is, the other explains details about Medicare Part D. Hope you find them helpful.

How to Leave a Medicare Advantage Plan

When and How You May Leave a Medicare Advantage Plan

Question:  I didn’t realize my choice of hospitals and doctors would be so limited when I enrolled in my Medicare Advantage plan. I don’t like this plan. How do I change plans?

Answer: There is a special enrollment period for people who have enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan for the first time after becoming eligible (age 65 for most people). It is known as the 12 month “free look” and during the first 12 months of having enrolled in your first Medicare Advantage plan you may leave the plan and return to original Medicare at any time during those first 12 months. Leaving the Medicare Advantage plan under these circumstances also puts you in a guarantee issue period for Medicare Supplements and a special enrollment for a Part D prescription plan.

In general you may only make changes in your Medicare Advantage Plan at certain designated times throughout the calendar year. October 15 to December 7 is the annual open enrollment period for 2011. You also have a chance to leave a Medicare Advantage Plan and return to original Medicare between January 1 and February 14 each year. There are other special enrollment periods for certain situations. All of this is handled through Medicare directly. Medicare has created a tip sheet for understanding Medicare enrollment periods. Click “Ask a Question” and request “Medicare enrollment periods”- I will e-mail you the tip sheet.

Medicare with Private Health Insurance

Part D and Private Health Insurance

Question:  I will be 65 this fall. My husband is retired from a large company. What we have heard is if we get a Medicare Supplement policy they will cancel our insurance with them. As it is now my husband cannot even afford all of his medication. I am not real sure but this is what I have heard. Just this month I have had an eye scratch and have spent out of pocket 350.00. Do you know anything about this?

Answer: All retirement insurance is not the same. I can't give you an absolute yes or no about a supplement policy canceling your company sponsored insurance but it really would not make sense to get a supplement and also have the company insurance unless the company is paying 100% of your premium and even then it wouldn't really benefit you to have both. Getting a Part D prescription plan WILL cancel your company policy IF the company policy has prescription coverage.

Here is what I recommend: Evaluate what your insurance through your husband’s former employer costs and what it pays in benefits. Compare that to what Medicare and a supplement and drug plan will cost. If your combined income for 2010 was less than $170,000, then you are going to pay around $275-$300 /month (each, assuming you don't use tobacco) for your Part B premium, Supplement Plan F and Part D drug plan. That combination would pay 100% of your medical costs leaving you only the expense of copays for your drugs.

I realize it can be confusing. I help people in your situation all the time. Sometimes it makes better sense to keep the company provided retirement insurance, sometimes not. I can help you figure out what's best for your situation.

Medicare and Diabetes Supplies

Medicare Coverage for Diabetes Supplies

Question:  I have been on insulin pump for 4 years and will be on Medicare soon.  Does Medicare cover pump inserts and supplies including insulin?

Answer: Yes, Medicare covers the pump inserts and supplies as well as the insulin pump. This is covered under Medicare Part B, Durable Medical Equipment. You will be responsible for paying the Part B deductible which is $162 for 2011 then 20% of the cost of the supplies.  Medicare has a publication called "Medicare Coverage of Diabetes Supplies and Services". Click “Ask A Question” and request “Coverage of Diabetes Supplies” and I will e-mail you the publication. If you would like to have this in print, request that directly from Medicare-1-800-633-4227.

 A Medicare Supplement Plan F would pay the $162 deductible and 20% not paid by Medicare if you choose to enroll in a Supplement Plan. You are guaranteed issue for up to 6 months after your 65th birthday. After that you may not be eligible due to your diabetes. Please let me know if you would like a quote.