What medicare hmo did you chose, and why? my grandma is 83 and I am trying to figure out what plan to pick?

she lives in nassau county, NY

Medicare questions can be confusing! Deciding to stick with traditional Medicare or a Medicare hmo plan, getting the best supplemental coverage and/or a a Medicare Part D plan, for example, depends on several factors, including what kinds of prescription drugs your grandma takes, what kind of plans she (and you) are willing to accept, and whether the plan you want will pay for the specific prescription drugs you need. Plans and options vary--and there are lots of high-pressure sales tactics being used right now to get seniors to enroll in an hmo when doing so is not always to their advantage...

If your grandma enrolls in a "managed care plan" she (and you!) will for sure want to read the fine print. For example, if your grandma travels or goes to visit relatives, will this plan cover her if she becomes ill in another state or country? What are other advantages or disadvantages to enrolling in such a plan as to enrolling in "traditional Medicare?" Folks at the Area Agency on Aging--who aren't selling anything and are objective--can help her andyou sort these options and choices.

So, please consider calling your local Area Agency on Aging--these groups are one of the best kept secrets around for older Americans and their families who are seeking information on Medicare, Medicare supplemental policies and other kinds of consumer questions. There is one where you live, since this is a national network--and they aren't selling anything! The staff there will visit with you and guide you and your grandma to information you need to answer this important question. Since they talk with seniors every day--and answer lots of questions--they will know the "scoop" on the plans available where you live. They will be able to help you compare the pros and the cons of the plans you have identified as options and suggest other information to check out before you "sign on the dotted line."

You can call toll-free 1-800-677-1116 to find how to contact the Area Agency serving you.

If you do contact your local Area Agency on Aging and like the help that they give you, let your local county officials and your folks in Congress know, too. Area Agencies on Aging don't have big budgets--their funding comes from the Older Americans Act. Your voluntary financial contribution of any amount--which is not required to get the help you need to answer this question--would certainly be appreciated.

Hope this helps! Thanks for caring and helping your grandma cut through the red tape of Medicare. She is very lucky to have you and you are very wise to ask this question! Good luck and best wishes!

If your grandmother is 83 she will be setup with medicare. She will not need health insurance. She could not afford it if that was the case. Her premiums would be around 2000 or 3000 a month