Retirees at Brunch: Medicare For All

A group of women talked about their Medicare coverage while enjoying each other’s company at brunch over croissants and (instant!) coffee.

Who was at the table? Three retirees, including:

• A single woman in her 60s who is very healthy
• A widowed woman in her 70s who has significant health issues
• A married woman in her 80s whose older husband has health issues

What do they have in common? Medicare. While these women came from all over the country and lived very different—and interesting—lives, all were covered by Original Medicare or its alternative, Medicare Advantage.

Why talk about their coverage? Health issues. They shared what happened when:

• Your husband got a huge bill because he was “under observation” in the hospital.
• Your physician was not in your Medicare Advantage plan.
• Your travel was such that you always buy supplemental insurance.

How much are they spending? Too much. The women all lived on a fixed income, so any premium increase, out-of-pocket cost, or unexpected bill was stressful.

What about open enrollment? Of course. These women evaluated their options every year because their lives, health, and finances may have changed. Some admitted to getting help from adult children in making a choice.

What do they think about Medicare for All? They don’t. While “Medicare for All” gets press coverage and political consideration, it wasn’t on these women’s radar screen.

What else? The women raved about their experience with a local academic medical center. It may have been something as simple as a screening mammogram or as a complex as a cancer diagnosis. “It’s about your doctor.”

These women never said that the U.S. health insurance system was perfect. They’re just too busy with family and friends to worry about it. In other words, they’re Mastering Health Insurance.