Insurance premium DROPPED $70??

[Beartracks]

I have a family member who is on SSD, and has Medicare. In addition, she has an insurance company which kind of "wraps around" that coverage... what's the term for that? They're the ones that provide the Part D, I believe, and in essence they act as her Medicare managers; she lists this company as her insurance rather than Medicare directly.

Anyhow, she was rather surprised when the monthly premium for this outfit dropped from $100 down to about $30, starting with the payment for January 2011.

She called them to see what was up. They said they dropped the cost to be "more competitive." My initial thought, of course, was that they must have been over-charging previously, if they can now afford to slash the price so much. But my second thought was: "I wonder if this is due to the health care reforms?" Her coverage itself remains the same -- actually a bit better than before -- so this is an unexpected, not insignificant windfall. I would certainly like to see the change NOT be reversed.

Does anyone know: would this premium reduction be because of "Obamacare"?

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[midnight]

1. My deductible doubled....

[Beartracks]

3. Hm, good point. I'll have her chk on that. n/t

[eilen]

2. Is she with a medicare advantage plan that provides

the supplemental? They have different criteria on what they will cover vs regular medicare A&B. Some have copays for every Dr. visit which is good for those who don't have a lot of medical problems nor money. Some operate like an HMO and are strict on allowing things like homecare nursing/PT/OT. There are many companies that do this. It is important to research and determine what is best for you.

As far as dropping premiums, and Obamacare-- I don't know enough about it. I thought there was something about the advantage programs losing federal subsidies starting this year but it was being done gradually. I would advise your family member to see if a component of her coverage was eliminated.

[Beartracks]

4. "Supplemental" - that's what I was trying to remember.

I don't think she's received the 2011 coverage plan yet, but she's talked to them on the phone. The rep told her that her coverage remained basically unchanged, as far as what they cover and amounts. I'll have her check the deductible though; it may have gone up a lot or something.