[ksilty]

Originally Posted by grannynurse FNP student

I paid full FICCA for more then ten years. By full, I had no employer contribution from my employer. I have collected SSDI for fifteen years. I lost my IRA, 47% to pay fines and penalties for early withdrawal because I tried to save my condo from foreclosure. I receive Medicare. I don't have any retirement program because mine was wiped out, through no fault of my own. Yes, Medicare and SSDI are essential an entitlement program. An entitlement program that without its existance I would be living on the street. Perhaps that is where people like me belong rather then taking precious tax money from working nurses.

Grannynurse

Grannynurse, If you have been around since the 60s I think you can agree that you are not a typical consumer of the Medicare?Medicaid system to which Kevin is referring. SSDI and Medicaid are meant to be available for folks like you, those who have needs as a result of unfortunate circumstances. I see from your UserID that you have not accepted your current status as your role in life and are making an effort to move on. Most on these Programs do not..... I have worked with Public Health and then Medicaid for the past 18 years and I can tell you the system is littered with people who think the government (and the taxpayers) owes them something for doing nothing - and they will tell you so with a great deal of attitude. I treat all my patients with respect, and have always been an advocate for them. I refuse to lecture a 60 year old woman who has Diabetes, CHF, and COPD while raising three grandchildren on what she receives from the state. It is too late for lectures,all I can do for her is help her stay alive. But I have a different attitude for a 20 year old single mom with 3 children who refuses to take care of herself or her kids because she thinks that is my job....2 years from now, she will join the ranks of the uninsured when her MA runs out, and she will complain that it is the government's fault...... Not!!!!

[ksilty]

[quote=lamazeteacher;2599333]__________________________________________________ __________

Medicare D isn't mandatory./quote]

Unless they have changed the rules in the last year, it is mandatory. If you do not select a plan within their timeframe, one will be selected for you, and it may not be one compatable with the meds you take. I spent a lot of time counseling seniors about Part D. Most State Office on Aging personnel have had to be trained to help folks select the right program. It is a nightmare, and the plans are not only expensive, most have outrageously high copays. THe government's arguement is that Medicare was never meant to pay for everything, folks need to have a nest egg to help defray the expenses. But few people realize this. They think Medicare will take care of them.

[ksilty]

I think a lot of people blame insurance carriers for failure to cover or adding unnecessary layers to approval when the real blame lies with employers. Larger companies will sit down and tell an insurance company what coverages they want their employees to have. Most of these large plans are custom written, and there is a method to their madness. A friend of mine once complained that his plan covered infertility treatment and not chiropractic visits. He thought the insurance company was being ridiculous since the average age of his workforce was 43 and predominatly male. What he never realized was until he asked was that his HR dept negotiated the coverage for him. Now who has their eyes on the profits???