US Medicare
Posted date : Nov 6, 2017.
Dear Bird Talk,
There has been a drastic increase in Medicare premiums for alien permanent residents (formerly Green Card holders) in the United States. This affects persons over the age of 65 such as myself and my wife.
For the past ten years I have been paying a premium of $340.00 per month, annually $4,080. This covered 80% of most hospital and doctor charges.
I have just been notified that my premium, for slightly less coverage under a revised Medicare plan for hospital and doctors charges, has been increased to $805.80 per month. This amounts to an astounding $19,339.20 for myself and my wife (who is over 65). We cannot afford this which leaves us with no Medicare coverage.
I am sure that this information will be of great interest to CSA members living in the USA over the age of 65.
G. Austin Underbukke
Conway, SC
Response:
The average travel medical insurance premium, while expensive, is nominal when compared to the Medicare premiums in the U.S. Snowbirds should definitely investigate the cost of medical insurance coverage if they are considering the U.S., or any other destination, as a new full-time home. Maintaining your residence in Canada “pays off” in more ways than one. Living the snowbird lifestyle grants us the best of both worlds.
