Who here can tell us definitively what the "full, unsubsidized" cost of Medicare is?

[Phoebe Loosinhouse]

Politico has given 2 answers in 2 stories , one story said 865 per person per month per the CBO and the other story said $600 a month ascribed to an unamed source in the negotiations.

I have googled my head off for what should be a simple answer - how much?

IF it is as much as it appears to be at this moment, then touting opening up Medicare for a small segment of the population at astronomical rates that most cannot afford as the crowning achievement of healthcare reform is beyond ridiculous.

[RUMMYisFROSTED]

1. Half of what Ins. Co.'s charge.

That'll be pretty acccurate.

[Phoebe Loosinhouse]

5. Right now we pay close to $900 a month for 2 people on Cobra

If we paid half of that or $450 for 2 for Medicare I would be ecstatic. BUT, what I am hearing is that the "full, unsubsidized" cost of Medicare is MORE than what we felt was already outrageous in the private market. At $600 apiece we would be paying 14,400 a year, at 865 each, we would be paying 20,760 a year. For health insurance.

I thought the average was 8K a year in the US and at THAT we were FAR above the rest of the world - Paying more, with fewer insured and at outcomes that rank us at 37th by the World Health Organization.

What exactly is the great "reform" that came out of all this sturm and drang and drama?So far it does not look like healthcare has even come close to being made more affordable, even though it may be superfiically more "accessible" until you factor in that OOPS! No One can afford it.

The President and the Congress have screwed up beyond measure is what it is looking like at this point.

[kiva]

2. Also (adding to your question) does this premium only

cover Medicare part A, and not any supplementary insurance?

[napi21]

4. I haven't heard but I feel fairly sure it does not include any

supplemental.

[kiva]

8. Thanks. Most people I know that are on Medicare

have supplemental insurance, so the cost of Medicare isn't really the whole cost for most people.

[napi21]

9. Absolutely. When I checked with my Medicare insurance broker,

about what are the copays on Medicare only, he said figure 20% of the charges and you'll be very close. Well I found out a couple of years ago what 20% really means! I broke my ankle about 3 years ago and we still had regular employer provided ins. 20% of the hospital costs were over $3,000! That doesn't include the $40 copay for each Dr. visit, or the copays on the drugs! When someone says "Oh but it pays 80% and you only have to pay 20%, nobody reallizes what that really means until they USE IT! 20% doesn't sound like much until you have some number to answer the question...20% of WHAT?

[napi21]

3. I don't think it's near that much. I'm basing my opinion on Obama

stating that the Advantage Plans are grossly overpaid and costing the gov't too much so he wants to level the playing field. I know Advantage Plans gt about $1,00 oer month oer oersin and they pay claims out of that. If you don't have any claims or something very low, the profit is theirs. Based on that I would assume the actual cost is about 1/2 of what Politico said.

[ChiciB1]

6. Those Figures Are Outrageous!! I Suppose, As Usual... It's IN THE FINE PRINT!

I'll check back in to see if there is an answer to your question. I posed one this AM about how many people would actually be able to sign up.

Is my lack of intelligence showing or am I just confused all the time?

[Old Codger]

7. I have

Medicare, and my premium for straight medicare, unsubsidized is $96.00 month. I am sure they will set it a bit higher for anything they come up with... That is both part A and B

part A: (Hospital Insurance) Premium

*
Most people do not pay a monthly Part A premium because they or a spouse has 40 or more quarters of Medicare-covered employment.
*
The Part A premium is $244.00 per month for people having 30-39 quarters of Medicare-covered employment.
*
The Part A premium is $443.00 per month for people who are not otherwise eligible for premium-free hospital insurance and have less than 30 quarters of Medicare-covered employment.

Part B: (Medical Insurance) Premium

$96.40 per month*


Link for medicare

http://questions.medicare.gov/cgi-bin/medicare.cfg/php/enduser/std_adp.php?p_faqid=2100