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Politics : A US National Health Care System? -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: John Koligman who wrote (12177)	12/9/2009 5:29:40 PM
From: Lane3	Respond to of 42652

I'm curious as to why you are looking at opting out of Medicare. Cost. My rate hike this year angered me. Most people didn't get a rate hike. The premium was frozen at $96.40 for those whose Medicare payments come from Social Security. If I could get it for $96.40, I would keep it. The House passed a bill to freeze the premium for everyone, not just the SS folks, but the Senate hasn't taken it up so I guess I'm stuck with the hike. I just feel ripped off. The way means testing is structured, I'm paying 60% more for my Part B than someone with an annual income just $1500 less than mine. (Anyone know a good way to hide some income? <g>) I don't get that much out of my Part B. Unless I have some major medical expense, all having it gets me is that Blue Cross co-payments, deductibles, and coinsurance are waived. In a normal year, that's only about a quarter of my premium so I'm not getting my money's worth. The decision I have to make is whether it's worth it to put that much into insuring against a potential mega coinsurance cost. Haven't decided yet. I'm waiting until my anger subsides to the point where I can analyze the options rationally.