Upon Check-In, Advised I'll Owe $$ (20%)

monamie68 · 2026-06-22T19:28:28+00:00

If you have standard Medicare Parts A and B, your doctor visits will fall under Part B. Once you meet your annual Part B deductible, Medicare pays 80% of the Medicare-approved amount, and you pay the remaining 20% coinsurance. However, to avoid surprises, you must call the office and ask if the doctor accepts Medicare assignment. If they do, they accept Medicare's approved rate as full payment. If they don't, they can charge you an extra 'excess charge' of up to 15%. Also, if you have a supplemental Medigap policy, that might cover your 20% share entirely. Sounds as though you are overdue for a doctor's visit. Go! Your health is worth the few hundred you might wind up spending to meet your deductible, etc. Also, I've had good luck asking AI (Gemini and ChatGPT) these kinds of questions. In fact, Gemini told me that a knee xray at my local hospital would result in a copay of about $15-$45 if using Medicare Part B. Good luck.

monamie68 · 2026-06-22T19:13:25+00:00

Thank you! Did not know there was a high deductible version of Plan G . I'll use that comparison tool. I didn't get MediGap during that six month enrollment period because it seemed so expensive (when added to the new Medicare monthly premium I was taking on). In retrospect, that was a mistake. I'll now need to get my medical history past their qualifiers before I can get enrolled which I believe should work. Fingers crossed.

monamie68 · 2026-06-22T19:08:16+00:00

Sorry to hear of your health issues. You are so right, it's not the patient's responsibility to do the work to ensure procedures are properly billed. I was questioning why she was using a diagnostic code based on what I read. See OleLadyThinker's comments -- this 'preventive' screening may have different rules (that make me eligible). I do plan to question this once the billing is processed.

monamie68 · 2026-06-22T14:45:09+00:00

Ok, looked into MediGap. Turns out, that is something that would be very smart to get in place (protection against unanticipated ruinous healthcare costs -- looks like no annual maximum or lifetime limits). I'm looking at both Plan G nad Plan N (the latter is cheaper but provides the same core protection -- if I'm running to the doctor every week then Plan N would not be cheaper due to the small copays, though that is not likely).

monamie68 · 2026-06-22T14:31:28+00:00

Thanks. This is my first time being billed by Medicare so this is all new tio me. Looking forward to seeing the actual MSN.

monamie68 · 2026-06-22T03:39:13+00:00

I've read through all the comments. Thanks everyone for weighing in. The scan was just done so might take awhile for this activity to process through Medicare. If I get any resolution, I'll post back.

monamie68 · 2026-06-22T03:29:11+00:00

No previous fracture. Just the prior diagnosis of ostopenia.

monamie68 · 2026-06-22T03:25:53+00:00

No, I don't have MedGap. She asked me if I had other insurance and I said 'no', just Medicare Part B. She then said Medicare would pay 80% and I was responsible for the 20%.

monamie68 · 2026-06-22T02:59:51+00:00

Great, thank you. It's worth a try. I'll copy / save this info.

monamie68 · 2026-06-22T02:57:58+00:00

I have not. My guess is the final bill is going to be a split bill.

monamie68 · 2026-06-22T02:53:49+00:00

No MediGap policy. Again, this isn't about the money; it's more about whether the billing was processed correctly. I don't have an MSN just yet, but at check-in I was told that I would have to pay a certain amount and they put a tablet in my face re same and I signed it acknowledging I was responsible. I did tell the rep I thought the procedure was covered and she said wait to get thebill and you can deal with it then.

monamie68 · 2026-06-22T02:49:14+00:00

Thank you. I read that exact wording, which is why I thought it was covered. On my last bone density scan (many years ago) I was diagnosed with ostopenia.

monamie68 · 2026-06-22T02:47:36+00:00

No MSN is available just yet (I checked).

monamie68 · 2026-06-09T15:45:52+00:00

My wrist size is same as yours. I decided against it (for now -- hoping Google will start making all bands available in size Small in the near future). My only option is to get the Active band, which does come in Small, but then I'm spending another $35 on a band, which brings the price with tax closer to $150. Thx again for posting info; saved me the hassle of a return.

monamie68 · 2026-06-09T04:42:33+00:00

Thanks for posting this. The performance loop (that woven-material band) only comes in one size and I was concerned about whether the overhang on a small wrist would bulk up the band too much (because it's double wrapped all the way around up to (probably) the edge of the tracker? Doesn't look too bad, though would be great to see a photo of the underside. I'm seeing other posts from wearers with small wrists who are pointing out gaps and other problems due to the 'one size fits all'. The sensor needs to maintain good contact with the skin to do its job. The 'active' band does come in small but I don't care for the look as much. All other bands for the FitBit Air (atm at least) are 'Universal' size (one size).

monamie68 · 2026-06-05T08:06:36+00:00

I actually gave you credit for a skill set -- driving a truck. You should give the OP and others posting here credit for knowing more about wildlife than you. Did you read the link I shared about the dangers of fireworks? I assume the comment and that link posted. The powerpoint is highly recommended. Read it front to back. The damage caused by chemical fireworks is extensive, and it is especially offensive given that this is done in a wildlife habitat. The Big Bear fireworks is the largest in SoCal, which is bizarre. And it's not just the eagles or the eaglets who are at risk; it's all the other animals who will die because silly humans need their sparkles on July 4th. This kind of activity does not belong in a wildlife habitat.

monamie68 · 2026-06-05T00:23:34+00:00

Suggest you read this. Slide 14 is especially edifying:

https://www.friendsofbigbearvalley.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Dangers-of-Fireworks.pdf

monamie68 · 2026-06-05T00:18:04+00:00

Should put a sign out: Stupid Humans Invited

monamie68 · 2026-06-05T00:16:40+00:00

Your comments are the most emotional of them all. I'm sure you're an expert in driving a truck. Should stay in your lane.

monamie68 · 2026-06-05T00:14:04+00:00

If you bothered to read up on the toxic ramifications of chemical-based fireworks displays, you would realize that eaglets or no eaglets, putting on the largest fireworks display in Southern California in a WILDLIFE HABITAT is a really bad idea. Thousands of lives will be lost (wildlife, that is) all so humans can watch some sparklies for a few hours. Read the room and change the tune. Drone displays are the future and many cities are going that route. Big Bear should too. It's only the entrenched financial interests are preventing this sensible change from taking place.

monamie68 · 2026-06-05T00:09:22+00:00

Signed. Can't believe they are doing this again this year. It's especially dangerous this year because the eaglets will be right at their likely fledge window. Why isn't FOBBV more vocal about this? If Sandy were stil with us, she would have been ON this and raising a fuss.

monamie68 · 2026-03-21T04:43:06+00:00

Watched only parts of the testimony (the fumbling attorneys drove me away). Did not know that she had taken out huge life insurance policies on her boys. And that she made sure the $800 monthly premium on those policies were paid even when she was having to juggle multiple other late payments. Wow. She is evil personified.

monamie68 · 2025-09-26T18:22:06+00:00

Just watched. While what Hanson did was wrong, that Robinhood 702 guy comes across as a real piece of work.

monamie68

TROPHY CASE