posted
HI, I have to sign up for Medicare in the next few months and I live in Mass. I also will probably need long-term iv antibiotics in the near future.
I have been looking at taking Original Medicare with Medex Bronze from BCBS and Blue MedicareRx Premier.
Does anyone know if these plans are Lyme-friendly and cover more than one month of iv antibiotics?
Does anyone know of any other better Medicare coverage for Lyme and iv antibiotics in Mass?
It looks like the Medicare Supplement Plans have better coverage than the Medicare Advantage Plans, altho I'm not sure.
I don't mind paying more upfront, if they will cover more later.
Any info would be appreciated.
Thanx in advance,
14k
Posts: 51 | From Boston, Ma. | Registered: May 2009
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joalo
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 12752
posted
Up for input.
-------------------- Sick since January 1985. Misdiagnosed for 20 years. Tested CDC positive October 2005. Treating since April 2006. Posts: 3228 | From Somewhere west of the Mississippi | Registered: Aug 2007
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Abxnomore
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 18936
posted
I can't comment about Mass in particular but straight up Medicare, not one of the advantage plans is better. If you have straight up medicare you can go to any doctor who is a medicare provider with any referrals. The advantage type plans, as I understand them are like HMO's and you are restricted to go to doctors who are in the plan.
Since most LLMD's don't accept Medicare as far as treating Lyme I don't think either type will help you much, unless you are lucky enough to find a good LLMD that does.
With straight up Medicare you have to pay the 20% that it does not cover but you can purchase a Medigap policy, and there are many types affording different coverage, to pick up the 20% that Medicare does not pay. They are described in your Medicare booklet or on their webpage.
What ever you decide to do, I would research it and think it though carefully. AARP usually has good customer service people who can explain these plans well, though personally I would not use them to buy a advantage plan or a Medigap plan as they are in bed with the insurance companies and have a strong lobby for their own interests.
All coverage for all Medigap plans is the same, depending on the plan you choose, no matter what company you purchase it from though the price may vary, as the plans are set by the government but but there are a variety of different Medigap plans to choose from.
Posts: 5191 | From Lyme Zone | Registered: Jan 2009
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