[alw411]

Supplemental Medicare plan for Sloan-Kettering?

by alw411 on Mon Jun 09, 2014 9:41 pm

Hi,

I was wondering if anyone on this forum is currently being treated at Sloan-Kettering for multiple myeloma.

My mother is being treated for multiple myeloma at Kaiser, Woodland Hills, in CA. After she turns 65 at the end of July, we are looking to move her to NY (where my husband and I live). We are about to sign her up for Medicare and are also, of course, trying to get as much information as possible about the supplemental plans that Sloan-Kettering accepts.

If any of you, or your family members, are being treated at Sloan-Kettering, and wouldn't mind sharing what supplemental plans you chose and how comprehensive the coverage is (what are your premiums, co-pays and how much do you end up spending out of pocket), my family and I would be incredibly grateful.

My mom receives carfilzomib [Kyprolis] twice a week. We realize that my mom has a very sweet deal at Kaiser and that insurance-wise and financially, we won't be able to find anything close to the coverage she currently has.

Any advice any of you may have is greatly appreciated!

[NStewart]

Re: Supplemental Medicare plan for Sloan-Kettering?

by NStewart on Tue Jun 10, 2014 2:44 pm

I can't comment on Sloan-Kettering, but I can tell you of my experience with my supplement plan. Each area of the country has supplemental plans that are available and they vary by region. The different plans are lettered A through N, I think. Not all of the plans are available in each region/state so you need to go on the Medicare website and find out which plans are available for your region. They vary in price from quite reasonable monthly premiums with varying levels of co-pays and co-insurances to more expensive with 100% coverage of co-pays and co-insurances.

I'm located in the Philadelphia area and chose a plan that covers 100% of my co-pays and co-insurances. I did this so that I would know what my out of pocket expenses for medical care would be each month. Because of the myeloma I have ended up with various other medical issues that have meant that I see a physician of some kind at least 2-3 times per month. I have no co-pays or co-insurances to worry about. My plan, F, also has a foreign travel medical expense allowance which is important to me.

In addition to checking out the Medicare website and finding out which plans are available in your area and which insurance companies sell insurance in your area, consider calling the billing office at Sloan-Kettering and asking them your questions. Do your homework because it makes a big difference in the long run. I am very happy with the plan that I chose through AARP.

Nancy in Phila