Search found 2393 matches

by Lynette
Sun Mar 10, 2024 2:55 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Any unusual medicare advantage benefits - I get $10 a month to exercise
Replies: 39
Views: 3590

Re: Any unusual medicare advantage benefits - I get $10 a month to exercise

I was wondering if anyone has unusual medicare advantage benefits of which others may not be aware. I have an Employer Sponsored UHC Medicare Advantage Plan. I was required to change from AARP Medigap Advantage G or else lose my $3,000 p.a. benefit. So far the new plan has provided me with great savings. On Medigap G, I was paying a premium of $200 per month and it was going up each year. Now I have no premiums with a maximum OOP of $750. Previously I paid $800 p.a. for Part D. I pay nothing for my prescription drug of a statin. I have to make two yearly co-pays of $150 for Prolia (an osteoporosis drug.) I just turned 80 and fortunately am healthy. I work at it - weight control, healthy diet and lots of exercise. I have the usual medicare ...
by Lynette
Sun Mar 10, 2024 8:08 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Any unusual medicare advantage benefits - I get $10 a month to exercise
Replies: 39
Views: 3590

Re: Any unusual medicare advantage benefits - I get $10 a month to exercise

Full gym membership. Unfortunately my gym does not belong to UHC's Renew Active (similar to Silver Sneakers). I was able to enroll in two additional other gyms at no cost. I pay a senior rate of $60 per month for my gym. In additional I pay for two sessions of a personal trainer for weight training. I swim three times a week. I think that exercise is the best investment I can make - good for physical and mental health. When I swim I forget all of my worries. I have also realized how much additional attention I get by being on an employer sponsored UHC plan. They answer the phone promptly - point me to additional benefits, and go out of their way to be helpful. Previously I had an individual AARP UHC Medigap plan. I think that they also off...
by Lynette
Sun Mar 10, 2024 7:59 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Any unusual medicare advantage benefits - I get $10 a month to exercise
Replies: 39
Views: 3590

Re: Any unusual medicare advantage benefits - I get $10 a month to exercise

SevenBridgesRoad wrote: Fri Mar 08, 2024 2:03 pm
runner3081 wrote: Fri Mar 08, 2024 12:11 pm
SevenBridgesRoad wrote: Thu Mar 07, 2024 10:18 pm
runner3081 wrote: Wed Mar 06, 2024 2:45 pm Lots of denied claims.
Sorry that’s been your experience. Multiple members of our extended family are on MA plans including me and my wife. Not one denied claim.
Actually, not old enough for Medicare, but work in healthcare and see the havoc it wreaks.
Also in healthcare...retired now, thankfully. Plenty of havoc to go around, for sure. But not sure the question posed by OP has anything to do with havoc due to MA or traditional Medicare. She asked about benefits within a plan she is already on and seemingly happy with.
Yes, you are correct. I was asking about additional benefits on Medicare Advantage.
by Lynette
Fri Mar 08, 2024 6:36 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Any unusual medicare advantage benefits - I get $10 a month to exercise
Replies: 39
Views: 3590

Re: Any unusual medicare advantage benefits - I get $10 a month to exercise

I was wondering if anyone else got unusual benefits from their Medicare Advantage plan. Advantage Plans are great as long as you are relatively healthy The nightmare starts if you need any serious expensive medical attention. There are a lot of informative articles regarding MAPs online https://medicareadvocacy.org/ongoing-scrutiny-of-medicare-advantage-plans/ As I mentioned above, my former company required retirees to adopt the Medicare Advantage plan or lose our subsidy. I was reluctant to give up my Medicare Medigap G. I investigated this very carefully. All specialists in my area, hospitals etc accepted this insurance. My PCP told me to choose which every medicare insurance was cheaper for me. So far it has been great. Fortunately I a...
by Lynette
Thu Mar 07, 2024 10:08 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Any unusual medicare advantage benefits - I get $10 a month to exercise
Replies: 39
Views: 3590

Re: Any unusual medicare advantage benefits - I get $10 a month to exercise

I was wondering if anyone else got unusual benefits from their Medicare Advantage plan. Advantage Plans are great as long as you are relatively healthy The nightmare starts if you need any serious expensive medical attention. There are a lot of informative articles regarding MAPs online https://medicareadvocacy.org/ongoing-scrutiny-of-medicare-advantage-plans/ As I mentioned above, my former company required retirees to adopt the Medicare Advantage plan or lose our subsidy. I was reluctant to give up my Medicare Medigap G. I investigated this very carefully. All specialists in my area, hospitals etc accepted this insurance. My PCP told me to choose which every medicare insurance was cheaper for me. So far it has been great. Fortunately I a...
by Lynette
Wed Mar 06, 2024 2:20 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Any unusual medicare advantage benefits - I get $10 a month to exercise
Replies: 39
Views: 3590

Any unusual medicare advantage benefits - I get $10 a month to exercise

I was wondering if anyone has unusual medicare advantage benefits of which others may not be aware. I have an Employer Sponsored UHC Medicare Advantage Plan. I was required to change from AARP Medigap Advantage G or else lose my $3,000 p.a. benefit. So far the new plan has provided me with great savings. On Medigap G, I was paying a premium of $200 per month and it was going up each year. Now I have no premiums with a maximum OOP of $750. Previously I paid $800 p.a. for Part D. I pay nothing for my prescription drug of a statin. I have to make two yearly co-pays of $150 for Prolia (an osteoporosis drug.) I just turned 80 and fortunately am healthy. I work at it - weight control, healthy diet and lots of exercise. I have the usual medicare a...
by Lynette
Wed Jan 31, 2024 11:49 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: How has your Health Changed after Retirement; What are you doing to Stay Healthy?
Replies: 100
Views: 10094

Re: How has your Health Changed after Retirement; What are you doing to Stay Healthy?

I have been thinking about the same type of post for a while now, so timing and topic is spot on. Interesting list of different healthy options provided by the BH forum. The winter months have put a hamper on my step counts so looking forward to better weather. While I will get my steps and miles on my e-bike, I am curious what are others are doing to improve their flexibility and balance. DW & I have been thinking that some Yoga introduction will help with this aspect. Are there any free on-line classes for beginners that we can explore? Keep up with the great healthy lifestyle recommendations. :beer I use this balance exercise on youtube - designed by a physiotherapist: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E3j7nJyqLys It is 30 minutes but...
by Lynette
Tue Jan 30, 2024 11:57 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: How has your Health Changed after Retirement; What are you doing to Stay Healthy?
Replies: 100
Views: 10094

Re: How has your Health Changed after Retirement; What are you doing to Stay Healthy?

During Covid, I bought a recumbent bike and a Concept2 rower. This is one of the best purchases I have ever made. These are in front of my TV. I also have a Yoga Mat where I did Yoga and Pilates. Then I fell and did not pay attention that I was eating too much yoghurt with blueberry muffins. A few years ago I had a blocked vein in my eye that was discovered prior to cataract surgery. As I gained weight, my blood pressure went up. As I am neurotic about my eyes, my blood pressure went up. So I took action: 1. Lost 40 lbs and now blood pressure is normal. 2. I swim three times a week. 3. I do strength training twice a week with a personal training who says I am very strong because of all the gardening I do at home and in a vegetable garden as...
by Lynette
Thu Jan 25, 2024 9:14 am
Forum: US Chapters
Topic: 🎁 🎉Happy 100th Birthday to Taylor Larimore 🎊🎂
Replies: 429
Views: 41933

Re: 🎁 🎉Happy 100th Birthday to Taylor Larimore 🎊🎂

Happy Birthday Taylor. May you have more years of health and happiness. Thank you for your financial wisdom that helped me simply my life to create a secure future for me.

Thanks,

Lynette
by Lynette
Fri Jan 05, 2024 8:01 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: The "Hot Upstairs" Topic
Replies: 90
Views: 13159

Re: The "Hot Upstairs" Topic

Zone 6. OH. Yeah, it's not a disaster, but I assumed it was a bit thicker or more consistent. I'll see what the insulation/energy guy says. I figure fixing it up can't really hurt. But again, if the company doing the inspection also sells insulation, I'm suspecting they will think we need more insulation. I live in a bungalow-type house in Michigan. I had a new HVAC installed but it was like a furnace upstairs during a heat-wave. A techician came and cleaned the Air Condtioning unit and he recommended more insulation in the attic. I paid $5,000 for the insulation but it did not improve the situation. Downstairs the new HVAC was not working well so I called back the HVAC company again. They sent their expert techician and he adjusted the se...
by Lynette
Fri Dec 08, 2023 8:01 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: [Exercises for physical balance]
Replies: 43
Views: 5835

Re: physical balance

Personally, I've never bought into this "improving your physical balance thing on your own" business. I have a friend who told me he brushes his teeth while standing on one leg, then switches half-way through to the other leg. That kind of stuff. I don't fall. On the other hand, my DW has fallen regularly and more often as time has gone by. Nothing she's done per physical training or therapy has ever helped, sadly. I'm thinking I'm either very lucky, or the daily physical exercises I do keep me in good-balance condition. Something does. That said, the Mayo clinic says Balance exercises can improve your balance as you get older. Who am I to argue with them? (Well, just call me a skeptic.) Who knows? Every teacher I've had says one...
by Lynette
Fri Dec 08, 2023 7:42 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: [Exercises for physical balance]
Replies: 43
Views: 5835

Re: physical balance

I was lousy at balance and my Yoga teacher admonished us that we had to practice, practice, practice. I decided I had to improve my balance as I do not want to fall. There is a balace class at my gym that is offered once a week but it clashes with my personal training sessions. I found a ten minute exercise offered by Jessica Valant. She is both a physical therapist and a Pilates teacher. This is the 10 minute class that I did every day for three months. Now I can stand on one leg for 10 seconds: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uth_9K3EmDI&t=20s Now I am trying another Youtube exercise by a Physical therapist She offers more excerises. The Youtube video is 30 minutes: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E3j7nJyqLys&t=145s I also do some...
by Lynette
Wed Nov 29, 2023 7:38 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Fitness assessment questions to ask myself and/or providers
Replies: 29
Views: 2846

Re: Fitness assessment questions to ask myself and/or providers

This may be helpful. Reviewed it before I started. https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/fitness/in-depth/fitness/art-20046433 Thanks for the link - great advice. When Covid restrictions were implemented, I bought a recoumbent bike and Concept 2 Rower and placed them in behind my TV. I also did Yoga with Adriene. She has over 12 million subscribers. After Covid, I went back to the gym but started some Internet strength training exercise. I hurt my back as the weight was too heavy for me. Be careful of trainers. I have heard of people who were injured by inexperienced trainers. I belong to a relatively expensive gym and there are trainers who have been there for a long time. I rehired a trainer I had when I was still working. He has ...
by Lynette
Thu Nov 16, 2023 4:18 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: What is Medicare Advantage "gotch ya!" ???
Replies: 271
Views: 29303

Re: What is Medicare Advantage "gotch ya!" ???

So are you saying that the folks who have posted in this thread that they like their MA plans are naive, uniformed, or both? Really? Replying to this post to ensure you see it. My brother-in-law is with AT&T and he is deciding whether to stick with his existing UHC plan G along with his wife that starts Medicare in January or move to the AT&T UHC Advantage plan which is a going into effect. They live in the Orlando FL area which UHC holds a big footprint. The numbers certainly look good. He has specifically asked me for my feedback. Knowing that you were in the insurance business, have extensive knowledge and insight, and that you have an MA policy I would appreciate your informed opinion on the following. 1) Impact of Prior Author...
by Lynette
Sun Nov 12, 2023 8:30 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: What is Medicare Advantage "gotch ya!" ???
Replies: 271
Views: 29303

Re: What is Medicare Advantage "gotch ya!" ???

As others have mentioned, it depends on your location and the provider you choose. Do your research. I was on UHC Medigap G and Humana Drug D. My former employer forced us to go to a Medicare Advantage PPO or lose our $3,000 subsidy. Please note this is an employer sponsored Medicare Advantage Plan. I could not be more satisfied. I only use a Statin that is not even Tier 1. So I save $80 per month on Drugs as the plan simply ships me my statin drug as required. I have found customer service to be outstanding. UHC has a large number of doctors and hospitals that accept my plan. I was paying $200 per month for AARP Medigap G premiums. Now I pay nothing. I think that I save about $4,000 p.a. There are other benefits as this is an employer spon...
by Lynette
Sun Nov 05, 2023 5:40 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: House is cold at night - need suggestions on what to do!
Replies: 110
Views: 11210

Re: House is cold at night - need suggestions on what to do!

As many have suggested, get an energy audit before you waste money on something that is not the correct solution. I wasted money as I did not know what I was doing. My problem was the opposite as I could not get the upper level cool in my 1950 bungalow in the midwest. I had a new HVAC. Eventually I spent nearly $20,000 trying to find a solution. Eventually tuning the HVAC and getting a $5,000 Heat Pump solved my problem.

Where I live we can get an energy audit for free from the utility company. Highly recommended before you spend money on something that does not solve the problem.
by Lynette
Thu Sep 21, 2023 12:56 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Lazy workout routines: what to add to rowing?
Replies: 58
Views: 5469

Re: Lazy workout routines: what to add to rowing?

I am super lazy when it comes to working out but as I age (40+), I am starting to see the need even more. I googled around and found out that rowing works out most of the muscles. So I bought a rowing machine a couple of weeks ago and noticed that my abs (and to some extent chest) don't get much workout, in that I don't feel it. I am thinking there might be other parts of the body that rowing doesn't do a good job. Question 1/ I am thinking about adding plank for abs and pushup for chest. Is it good enough? The easier and less complicated the workout, the better. 2/ what other areas of the body need additional workout? Thanks! You should really invest in personal training. They will teach you how to work out and the program you should foll...
by Lynette
Mon Sep 11, 2023 7:08 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: 2-Story House Elderly Parent
Replies: 25
Views: 3416

Re: 2-Story House Elderly Parent

I am 80 this year and have a house with stairs to my bedroom and basement for the laundry. Things may change in the future but for now I do not intend to move. I think it is good for my legs to get the exercise going up and down stairs. A previous trainer made me do exercises to go up and down stairs. Each morning I do an exercise on the bottom stair while holding onto the rail. Also importantly I am taking a class on balance at my gym. There are also great exercises on the internet and also New York Times. Each day I do a ten minute balance exercise by a lady on the internet who is a physical therapist and pilates teacher. During Covid, I put on weight. I lost the weight and some more. Have a doctor or physical therapist evaluate the paren...
by Lynette
Wed Aug 30, 2023 5:39 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Lawn care
Replies: 58
Views: 4574

Re: Lawn care

Mow high to encourage grass to grow and so minimize the need for weed or grub control is what I learnt in my gardening course: https://www.canr.msu.edu/news/mow_high_for_weed_and_grub_control I also dethatch in the fall, overseed and apply nitrogen fertilizer. In gardening circles, the emphasis now is to reduce the size of the lawn and plant native flowers and shrubs to help preserve the pollinators. I have been gradually reducing the size of my front lawn by having rows of weeping maples, shrubs (including native) and flowers on all four sides. I lost my patience recently when I was exhausted from pushing my heavy electric mower uphill especlally as there were patches where the grass had grown faster than others. So I bought some cardboard...
by Lynette
Wed Aug 16, 2023 10:34 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Does cost of healthcare skyrocket when you are older
Replies: 70
Views: 8279

Re: Does cost of healthcare skyrocket when you are older

As others have said .. it depends, genes, luck lifestyle. I was on AARP Medigap G and a Drug Plan D. The medigap increased each year. I did not pay sufficient attention so was paying $80 per month for Plan D. Altogether it was close to $4,000 p.a. in premiums. I was forced to change to Medicare Advantage by my former employer or else I would lose my HRA of $3,000 p.a. So far, it is working out extremely well in this Employer sponsored Medicare Advantage. I will be 80 this year. I pay nothing in premiums and the Max out of pocket is $750 p.a. I pay nothing for drugs as the one statin I get is not even considered Tier 1. I get it shipped to my house every 90 days. I got $150 towards glasses, teeth x-rays were covered but not the new crown - h...
by Lynette
Sat Jun 03, 2023 5:52 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Amazon claims delivery given directly to a resident but it was not me. UPDATE
Replies: 20
Views: 2648

Re: Amazon claims delivery given directly to a resident but it was not me.

I am home often enough when packages get delivered to notice that the Amazon drivers seem to be someone new every couple of weeks. I’ve seen 3 Amazon drivers on my block at the same time, and have gotten multiple deliveries from different drivers on the same day. If I’ve ever had the same driver twice, I never noticed it. Knowing how Amazon does everything else, I suspect the drivers don’t drive consistent routes. Anyway, I’m also in a Lake Wobegon delivery area. The last package that was misdelivered (by any service) was seven years ago. And we get a *lot* delivered. They often do not have consistent routes because of how they set up their delivery arm. Amazon uses DSPs * Delivery Service Partners * (small businesses that Amazon all but r...
by Lynette
Sat Jun 03, 2023 2:23 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Amazon claims delivery given directly to a resident but it was not me. UPDATE
Replies: 20
Views: 2648

Re: Amazon claims delivery given directly to a resident but it was not me.

Amazing. Duplicate set of items arrived. Some of them were the original order. The replacement was different as one box contained the replacement as well as an item I ordered. The boxes were all neatly placed on my porch with a photo! I have no idea what happened. The boxes were not the ones supposedly given to the resident as the boxes were all placed in the same place. I was told by the customer rep to keep the duplicates if they arrived. Weird but I am grateful.
by Lynette
Sat Jun 03, 2023 8:00 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Amazon claims delivery given directly to a resident but it was not me. UPDATE
Replies: 20
Views: 2648

Re: Amazon claims delivery given directly to a resident but it was not me.

I again updated the instructions NOT to give a package directly to a resident but to place it my porch with a photo. Your complaint is legitimate, but this instruction is not. No driver from anywhere is going to put a package on the porch when there is a person to hand it to. Besides, if the person receiving the package is in your household, the problem is at your home, not the driver. If the driver is actually at the wrong house, the instruction to leave it on the porch is not going to help avoid the problem. I don't know what else to do if Amazon delivery person won't follow my instructions except to stop buying from them. Try something different. See if there is an Amazon hub delivery location in your area and have packages delivered th...
by Lynette
Sat Jun 03, 2023 7:47 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Amazon claims delivery given directly to a resident but it was not me. UPDATE
Replies: 20
Views: 2648

Re: Amazon claims delivery given directly to a resident but it was not me.

I may or may not work for the company in question :wink:. I don't deliver packages but I've done quite a few ride-a-longs and understand the process. The problem isn't likely the delivery instructions but the driver. If I had to guess you're in an area that creates "group stops" which is where a driver makes one stop and delivers to multiple residences (if this isn't the case you might just have a bad driver). It's not uncommon for packages to get mixed up in these scenarios. Amazon Customer Service is typically very good so I'd just decide what is and isn't worth the hassle. When you report bad deliveries that does tie back to the delivery company and driver and over time they should figure it out. This is tracked daily all the ...
by Lynette
Sat Jun 03, 2023 7:45 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Amazon claims delivery given directly to a resident but it was not me. UPDATE
Replies: 20
Views: 2648

Re: Amazon claims delivery given directly to a resident but it was not me.

If customer service is taking care of it, that's probably about the best you can hope for. And with regard to letting them know that your delivery person isn't reliable, if you are actually reporting problems and getting replacement items that's probably going to have as much effect as anything else. When I get an Amazon delivery, I get an email asking me how my delivery was. At my previous house, we had an enclosed porch. Amazon would customarily leave packages on the outside steps, and I didn't like that, so I put instructions on my profile asking that packages be left on the porch. I knew that this was going to take a few extra seconds on the part of someone under time pressure, so every time a package was left on the porch I said the d...
by Lynette
Fri Jun 02, 2023 9:19 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Amazon claims delivery given directly to a resident but it was not me. UPDATE
Replies: 20
Views: 2648

Amazon claims delivery given directly to a resident but it was not me. UPDATE

Update: Two sets of items arrived! I was wondering if anyone else has had the experience where Amazon delivery person claims an item was given directly to a resident but it was not me. I am a Prime member and packages are usually safe in my area. Some time ago, Amazon claimed an item was given directly to a resident but it was not me. I disputed this and received a replacement. Because of the hassle I updated my delivery instructions that items for me were NOT to be given directly to a resident but placed on my front porch and a photo taken. Today the Amazon delivery person made a lot of mistakes. It was claimed that three orders were given directly to a resident. It was not me. Instead two items for different addresses were placed on my po...
by Lynette
Tue May 23, 2023 9:10 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Strategies for Permanently Reducing Speeding on Residential Streets
Replies: 139
Views: 13697

Re: Strategies for Permanently Reducing Speeding on Residential Streets

I haven't read the whole thread carefully. I live about 3 blocks from an elementary school. There are two volunteer guards at strategic crossroads who go out with signs and stop traffic to allow children to cross.
by Lynette
Mon May 22, 2023 3:37 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: How Much Do You Spend on Lawn Maintenance Services?
Replies: 64
Views: 6970

Re: How Much Do You Spend on Lawn Maintenance Services?

Are all of those services necessary? While I was working I had one service mow my lawn and another apply the five weed/grub and fertilizer. I attended a course on gardening and now I have changed my methods. I realized many of these were not necessary for me. For example, I did not have any grubs. I will probably not use a lawn service again as I don't like how they scalp my lawn. This means that the grass fights with the weeds. Now I have very few weeds as I mow high. Last fall, I dethatched, overseeded my lawn and fertilized my lawn. Now in the spring it looks great and I have very not had to apply and weed control. I may apply a fertilizer later in the year. How does one know whether or not they have grubs? If you don't have them, does ...
by Lynette
Sat Apr 29, 2023 7:46 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Dad was just laid off (61 years old)
Replies: 206
Views: 22662

Re: Dad was just laid off (61 years old)

I am not understanding your parents expenses. You are saying with PITI being 2600/mo and insurance being 1500/mo while saying their expenses are 3500-4000/mo? I'd sell both properties, buy whatever they want for $250-300k, and then I think they MAY have expenses of $3500/mo. Short of that, I would set my expectations at $5500/mo for a more realistic expense target and gauge how much support it will take you and your sister to provide to maintain that level of expenses with a 5% return on your parents capital and your assumed SS payments. What happens when the house needs a new AC unit, new roof, the car breaks down, uncovered medical expenses like deductibles/copays? Jumping in front of those expenses as well? Good for you guys regardless ...
by Lynette
Fri Apr 28, 2023 2:01 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Dad was just laid off (61 years old)
Replies: 206
Views: 22662

Re: Dad was just laid off (61 years old)

I am really sorry for the situation in which your father and family find themselves. You mention that your father is a data engineer. I thought that this was a very marketable skill and I think he really needs to get another job as does your mother. I am also an immigrant and I worked till I was 73. I was able to travel extensively and am financially comfortable. I made great efforts to become financially literate and to understand my financial situation. I worked in IT but did not make much more than your father.

Best wishes.

Lynette
by Lynette
Fri Apr 28, 2023 8:03 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: How Much Do You Spend on Lawn Maintenance Services?
Replies: 64
Views: 6970

Re: How Much Do You Spend on Lawn Maintenance Services?

Are all of those services necessary? While I was working I had one service mow my lawn and another apply the five weed/grub and fertilizer. I attended a course on gardening and now I have changed my methods. I realized many of these were not necessary for me. For example, I did not have any grubs. I will probably not use a lawn service again as I don't like how they scalp my lawn. This means that the grass fights with the weeds. Now I have very few weeds as I mow high. Last fall, I dethatched, overseeded my lawn and fertilized my lawn. Now in the spring it looks great and I have very not had to apply and weed control. I may apply a fertilizer later in the year.
by Lynette
Fri Apr 21, 2023 4:15 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Selecting a Medicare Part D drug plan
Replies: 56
Views: 4350

Re: Selecting a Medicare Part D drug plan

I thought I would mention how I find a change to Medicare Advantage. Last year I had AARP UHC Medigap and Humana Part D. I did not research the drug plan. I paid $80 per month. My former employer changed to UHC Advantage in 2023 and I would have lost my $3,000 p.a HRA if I did not change to the Advantage plan. So for, it has been amazingly inexpensive. One has to use their drug plan. I only take one statin that is not even Tier 1 so I pay nothing and I have 3 months supply sent to me for free! I am in my late seventies and try very hard to be healthy. I lost 30 lbs (including some weight I put on during Covid). My blood pressure was nearly 140 and I would have had to take a blood pressure medicine. After losing the weight my blood pressure ...
by Lynette
Wed Apr 12, 2023 7:57 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Medicare Advantage PPO
Replies: 42
Views: 2700

Re: Medicare Advantage PPO

My former employer prevously gave me $3,000 p.a and I could choose my own plan. We were forced to change to a Employer sponsored UHC PPO or loose our subsidy. I did a lot of research as I was reluctant to give up my Medigap G plan. There are a large number of UHC doctors/specialists/hospitals in my area that accept UHC. My PCP told me to choose whatever option was the cheapest for me. I am currently on the Employer sponsored UHC PPO plan and could not be more satisfied. I went from having to pay over $200 per month for the Medigap and $80 for Part D. I do not pay any premium and my maximum out of pocket is $750. I do not have to pay anything for the one statin I take as it is not even Tier 1. I get the drug shipped directly to my house as p...
by Lynette
Sat Apr 01, 2023 1:37 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Medicare Question
Replies: 100
Views: 9591

Re: Medicare Question

Someone might have already mentioned this, but some employers offer their Medicare Advantage Plans through something called Medicare Employer Group Waiver Plans (EGWP). I have heard that these are supposedly "better" than Advantage plans offered to the public in that they have enhanced benefits and often are PPO plans. These EGWP plans might be the reason some people seem to really like Advantage Plans and some do not. Apparently two different things but I do not know if there is a difference in the administration of EGWP plans versus "regular" Advantage (such as pre-authorization, approvals, Rx, extra benefits, etc.). Medicare Advantage plans are so confusing as there is a great number of them and even a variation in o...
by Lynette
Sat Apr 01, 2023 7:06 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Medicare Question
Replies: 100
Views: 9591

Re: Medicare Question

They all do it. Only the most egregious insurance companies get caught. Why do you think they are eager to do one free home visit when home visits by medical personnel when you have a health need (e.g. are down with a fever) are not available or very expensive and never covered by insurance? (Remember when actual doctors did home visits? Me neither.) Yes, I agree but it saves me going to my PCP. The Nurse Practitioner may recommend this irregardless. There may be some really old and sickly people who do not have ready access to transport for whom this is an advantage. In addition, I am told the NP will spend up to an hour with me. I am lucky to get 15 minutes with my PCP. My advice is still to look at the Medicare Advantage Plans. I am sav...
by Lynette
Fri Mar 31, 2023 6:52 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Medicare Question
Replies: 100
Views: 9591

Re: Medicare Question

On Monday, I am having a Nurse Practisioner come to my house and spend an hour with me. This is in addition to my annual wellness checks. Some claim the purpose of these house calls is so that that the health care companies are trying to make their clients sicker than they are to get more money from the government. I agreed to this as I sprained my ankles and was too lazy to go to the doctor... There is no "some claim" about the fact that the nurse's job is to find every way to report that you are sicker than you really are. They are not doing this to help you but so they can find ways to charge Medicare more. If you have sprained your ankles, you may find yourself coded as paraplegic or some such Lol. I was stupid doing some exe...
by Lynette
Fri Mar 31, 2023 5:37 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Medicare Question
Replies: 100
Views: 9591

Re: Medicare Question

I was forced to change to UHC Medicare Advantage PPO by my former employer or lose my $3,000 annual benefit. I am finding the UHC Medicare Advantage PPO much simpler as I do not need to sign up for Medicare Part D and do the annual hassle of comparing drug plans. I did a lot of research as I was not pleased with being forced to make the change. I think a major consideration is if your plan is a PPO and the health care plan you choose is well-represented in your area. In my area all of the specialists and hospitals I use accept my plan. My PCP told me 50% of his patients used Medicare Advantage. The main issue raised against Advantage plans is that you have to go through pre-approval. My PCP recommended that I pick Medigap G or Advantage dep...
by Lynette
Tue Mar 28, 2023 11:14 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Arranging transportation for a medical procedure
Replies: 60
Views: 5979

Re: Arranging transportation for a medical procedure

I’m posting to this thread from last year because I ran across a New York Times article on the topic. The title of the article is “ You May Need That Procedure. But Do You Really Need an Escort?” It is by Paula Span and the date is Mar. 25, 2023. Here are some links from the article: - Friendship Works (Boston) https://fw4elders.org/ - TimeBank Boulder (Boulder, CO) https://timebankboulder.org/ (can earn credits by volunteering) -The Village Movement https://www.vtvnetwork.org/ (supports aging in place) - The National Volunteer Caregiving Network https://nvcnetwork.org/wp/ (connects about 700 community organizations nationwide, most of which provide door-through-door transportation without charge) - Shepherd’s Centers of America https://ww...
by Lynette
Fri Mar 03, 2023 8:35 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Medicare Advantage plans deny 6% of treatments
Replies: 24
Views: 2639

Re: Medicare Advantage plans deny 6% of treatments

I do not know about denials as I have not had any serious medical issues in the past two months since my former employer forced me to change from Medigap G and Part D to their propiertary UHC Advantage PPO or else lose my HRA. I realize that that this is not the standard Advantage plan as my employer is putting part of my HRA into the new Advantage Plan (for now). But it is working out splendidly for me. I do not pay any monthly premium whereas AARP UHC Medigap G would have been about $220 per month. I was paying about S80 per month for a Humana Part D Prescription Drug. Now I pay nothing as my one statin drug is not even Tier 1 and I get a 3 month supply shipped to me at no cost. UHC called me many times till I finally agreed to have a che...
by Lynette
Mon Jan 30, 2023 12:27 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: What’s Up with Medicare Advantage Ads?
Replies: 84
Views: 7562

Re: What’s Up with Medicare Advantage Ads?

A former employer forced us to go onto UHC Medicare Advantage plan ... What I have realized is that the Advantage Plans have an enormous variability. My plan was negotiated by my former employer with UHC that is widely represented in my area and all of my doctors, specialists and hospitals are covered. That is also an Employer Group Waiver Plan, just like the other two that were mentioned on this thread. An EGWP is a Medicare Advantage plan because it receives capitation payments from Medicare, has to follow Medicare rules, and can take advantage of Medicare prices for participating out-of-network providers. However, EGWPs are very different from Medicare Advantage plans that are sold to the public. EGWPs do not have to pay celebrities to ...
by Lynette
Sun Jan 29, 2023 2:38 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: What’s Up with Medicare Advantage Ads?
Replies: 84
Views: 7562

Re: What’s Up with Medicare Advantage Ads?

I worked into my seventies and have only been on Medicare for a few years. I chose a UHC AARP Medigap G plus Humana Part D drug plan. In retrospect I did not do enough research on Part D plans. I only take a Statin drug and was paying about $80 a month. A former employer forced us to go onto UHC Medicare Advantage plan if we wanted to keep our $3,000 p.a HRA. It has been a lot of work to set it all up. I think that one of the disadvantages of Medigap plus Part D is that you have to investigate the drug plan costs each year and then set them up. After the hassle of setting it up, the UHC Advantage plan has worked well for me. The statin I am taking is not even listed as Tier 1. So I do not have to pay anything to have a 3 month supply of the...
by Lynette
Wed Jan 18, 2023 1:21 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: [On-going Scams - Post them here]
Replies: 1372
Views: 165395

Re: [On-going Scams - Post them here]

I was almost scammed this AM. Got a phone call claiming to be from AT&T and telling me there were TWO suspicious orders placed on my account with a shipping address in some other state. The scammer (pretend AT&T rep) offered to cancel the orders and I needed to authorize this by giving them the 6-digit code they would text to me. I stupidly did that despite the text message saying AT&T would NEVER ask for that code! Now the scammer said I needed to do the same thing for the other order. By now I was suspicious of the process so hung up on him. I went to my AT&T account to see the order status but could not log on because my password was no good. I clicked on "forgot password" and changed it. Once logged in, the we...
by Lynette
Tue Dec 27, 2022 1:05 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Consumer Tip: Amazon Lockers for Delivery
Replies: 41
Views: 4953

Re: Consumer Tip: Amazon Lockers for Delivery

I may have to investigate how Amazon locker works. A bizarre incident happened yesterday. I was waiting for a compression bandage that paid $2.99 to have shipped early. The total cost was $21.99. On the Amazon website it claims it was handed directly to a resident. After several calls to Amazon, it seems my only recourse is to wait and see if arrives! I have spent thousands on Amazon as I bought items I was donating to Afghan refugees. I am a model customer as I never return anything and nothing ever gets stolen from my porch. I have put an instruction in Amazon delivery not to hand anything directly to a customer and always to take a photo. Most irritating! I went to a pharmacy and bought a bandage.
by Lynette
Mon Dec 26, 2022 7:10 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: SoftwareGeek's Guide to Computer Security
Replies: 608
Views: 71434

Re: SoftwareGeek's Guide to Computer Security

Gmail has around 1.5 billion active accounts between gov/business/consumer types. O365 & yahoo have around 250 million free active accounts each - Microsoft doesn't divulge business and government numbers openly. Mailbox.org doesn't give out numbers but there a bit larger than Proton. As an analogy, Intel is a $110 Billion company and Apple is a $2 Trillion company, therefore Intel is a small company right? No way? I think the size is less of a factor than how they are run. A small email company give you an impression that it's a mom and pop shop with limited resource (I used to work for a small company of 13 people). Proton is a fairly established company with a sizable operation, which is the important bit. It's not a tiny company. T...
by Lynette
Tue Dec 13, 2022 1:37 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Alert necklaces for the elderly
Replies: 38
Views: 3523

Re: Alert necklaces for the elderly

For some situations, a Nest video camera in the house is a good idea. Put it someplace that isn't personally invasive, but where you can see that everything is fine. Too much tech in the way of smart watches and smartphones is just too much tech. I even tried low tech...a rescue whistle from REI...gave it to my MIL when she was getting frail and dementia...one day, I'm on the phone with my FIL and we hear the whistle...he says, "I'll call you back"...well, the "emergency" was she couldn't reach the top shelf to get something :) We had to have another conversation about what qualifies as an emergency. Love it :happy. I bought a two step very stable ladder from a big box store. I keep it in a closet. Recently I put togeth...
by Lynette
Mon Dec 12, 2022 11:54 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Smartwatches for seniors to Detect Falls
Replies: 93
Views: 10057

Re: Smartwatches for seniors to Detect Falls

At the risk of going off in a bit of a tangent, I offer the following links from the NHS and National Institute on Aging. While this thread has been about technology to detect falls, one hopes that prevention is also of interest. I was involved a few years ago in a large project that worked on falls detection and prevention in NHS Scotland; they used various technologies but also stressed the PT and OT to prevent falls. The links are below: From the NHS - their program for the prevention of falls: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/falls-applying-all-our-health/falls-applying-all-our-health From the NIA - their info on prevention of falls: https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/prevent-falls-and-fractures Thank you. I am taking a balance c...
by Lynette
Sat Dec 10, 2022 7:50 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Anyone else having issues with new ACA United Healthcare Account?
Replies: 21
Views: 1991

Re: Anyone else having issues with new ACA United Healthcare Account?

From my experience recently, many of the health care providers are overwhelmed because the Medicare Enrollment period ended December 7. I was required to change my medicare healthcare options to keep a former employer subsidy. Their new website will only be available mid-December.
by Lynette
Mon Nov 21, 2022 1:02 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Sequence of Health Risk: AKA What Age is it Worth Planning For a Full Life To?
Replies: 73
Views: 9287

Re: Sequence of Health Risk: AKA What Age is it Worth Planning For a Full Life To?

No one really knows how long we will live. I loved travelling and "saw the world" or the parts that interested me. I worked into my mid-seventies to afford this. My best advice is the live as healthy a life as you possibly can. I am horrified at the lifestyle of some of my friends in an older group to which I belong. My blood pressure started to rise and I decided to lose some weight. The problem has gone away and my blood pressure is normal again. My doctor says that 50% of the problems with his patients are caused by being overweight. I've decided to increase my aerobic exercise and eat more green vegetables. None of friends seems willing to take any action so I have decided to shut up or leave the group. This. Kudos to you! Th...
by Lynette
Mon Nov 21, 2022 9:30 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Sequence of Health Risk: AKA What Age is it Worth Planning For a Full Life To?
Replies: 73
Views: 9287

Re: Sequence of Health Risk: AKA What Age is it Worth Planning For a Full Life To?

No one really knows how long we will live. I loved travelling and "saw the world" or the parts that interested me. I worked into my mid-seventies to afford this. My best advice is the live as healthy a life as you possibly can. I am horrified at the lifestyle of some of my friends in an older group to which I belong. My blood pressure started to rise and I decided to lose some weight. The problem has gone away and my blood pressure is normal again. My doctor says that 50% of the problems with his patients are caused by being overweight. I've decided to increase my aerobic exercise and eat more green vegetables. None of friends seems willing to take any action so I have decided to shut up or leave the group.