Quietcook

Gregory,

There are 8 standard policies which may be supplemental to Medicare. If you get info from several companies you can sit and compare as I did for my Mother. What surprised me was the vast differences that each company charged for the same policy. A simple spread sheet can make the answer just pop out once you narrow the type policy down to a couple, then chart what each company charges for the same class of policy.

We wound up getting a policy from AARP as it was so much less expensive, but we did not cover her meds. At that time she didn't take a lot of meds, and now that has proven a wise decision for us even though she now takes lots of meds. The reason is that with medicare subscription card last year and as medicare kicks in to begin covering so many meds, the difference in taking any policy which covered meds was still above the break-even point for her. Thow in the fact that the cost of the policy as well as cost of meds can be deducted if you itemize on taxes, then that had to be considered, as her cost of meds dropped significantly with the changes in Medicare.

Here's what has happened in the many years since we switched. The previous company paid a low percent of the balance that Medicare approved but did not pay. I was still paying out of pocket for the Medicare deductible and meds. Then when we switched, the plan we took pays even the Medicare deductible, the deductible for each time she is hospitalized, and doctor visits. They pay the balance of what Medicare approves but does not pay, so that I've not had to shell out a single$$ except for her meds. Ik still get the policy information packets from several companies, including AARP every 2 years and recheck prices, etc, but we haven't found any policy that works better for our situation, and frankly, without having to shell out $$ for any co-pay medical visits, hospital etc., it is a lot easier for me to convince my mother to get to the doc when something first goes wrong with her BP or heart instead of waiting to see if things get worse.

Suggest you contact several companies and do a comparison to see what will work best for you. The good thing too was that with it being supplemental to Medicare, the policy went into affect quickly and we had no non-coverage for pre-existing conditions, because Medicare doesn't do that.

I have an excellent, but expensive policy for myself as a Federal Retiree, but have always had to pay into Medicare as well. I'm about 3 years away from Medicare and a supplemental policy, myself.

Now, as to the injections and what your doc said. ALL steroid medications do affect the body, whether injections, oral or inhaled. If you got relief from the first injection, it makes sense to have a second, but I would not recommend more than 3 within a 12 month period. I've had way, way, too many doc's tell me that there should be no more than 3 injections within 12 months, because of the impact on bones. I just wish one of them had told me that same information back years ago, before the bones in my arm shattered like glass when I took a simple spill. I did know by the time I became asthmatic, but had to take the daily steroids and use inhalers or die from not getting oxygen. So, just be cautious and maybe even discuss the steroid issue even with your primary doc. I know that my primary DO certainly gets concerned when I have to take steroids in any form, especially with my osteoarthritis and all the problems I've had with my back.

Best wishes.