From my recent posts, you know we've been experiencing firsthand the impact of Obamacare on my father-in-law's health care choices. We all "say" we want choices: (1) how our taxes are spent on our behalf, (2) where our retirement savings are invested, and even (3) what Medicare supplemental program we prefer to participate in.
As you can imagine, we have had tons of recent discussions with hospitals, social workers, rehab clinics, long-term and assisted living facilities, and so forth. We have learned much - and realize there is much more that we don't know. I will post some of our lessons learned, and encourage all of you to share what you have found out as well.
Lesson 1: The Medicare supplement program that you choose matters. Both father- and mother-in-law have chosen HealthSpring. Medicare is a federal program, and Medicaid is a state program. So it's important to understand that they operate independently. HealthSpring can cancel their Medicare supplement with as little as 3 days' notice - but the state has 30 days before they have to commit to Medicaid.
It's like Tarzan navigating through the jungle, leaping from vine to vine. We're learning how not to fall - but understand there may be gaps where we are on the hook financially for days or weeks (or even longer).
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