Keep working, medicare sucks

Medicare sucks! I just thought id warn ya all..my meds will be 3400, per month, starting in 2026. I can pay 23%. Plus a 300 deductible. On this plan . I can find one cheaper, but my doc and hospital will be "out of network" never needed health care when I had it. Paying now. It frikken sucks, call here call there. Damn nightmare. Just stay healthy, and at work!

But you told me to retire...

Well yes, retire! Just don't have a heart attack

Well then don't come.over my house naked

That would give you a ha.

If only you told @future this.

Do you have Medicare, or Medicare advantage?

I can only have an advantage plan til 2027..

I heard in 2026 the maximum you would need to pay for prescriptions is $2,100 for the year. I found this and several other articles online (see below):
Medicare Prescription Costs in 2026
Medicare Part D includes both Medicare Advantage Prescription Drug (MAPD) plans and Prescription Drug plans (PDPs). They have a variety of plan options with unique formularies and tier structures that determine what you pay for specific prescriptions. The formulary (list of covered drugs), tier (price level), and copay or coinsurance (your cost) can cause your specific prescription costs to vary from plan to plan. The prescription drug phase you're in can also affect what your out-of-pocket cost is for your drugs. Because of this, it's important to compare premiums, deductibles, and copays for your specific prescriptions when choosing prescription coverage.
In 2026, your yearly out-of-pocket drug costs will be capped at $2,100 if you have Medicare prescription coverage. If your drug costs are high enough to reach this cap, you don’t have to pay a copayment or coinsurance for covered drugs for the rest of the calendar year. You’ll also have the option of spreading your drug costs across monthly payments throughout the year.
You can use Shop & Compare to search for plans and compare drug costs by selecting Cost Estimate for a plan you're considering.
Medicare Prescription Payment Plan
The Medicare Prescription Payment Plan gives you the option to spread your prescription costs out across the calendar year (January–December). This might help you manage your expenses, but it doesn’t save you money or lower your drug costs. If you select this payment option, each month you’ll continue to pay your plan premium (if you have one), and you’ll get a bill from your health or drug plan to pay for your prescription drugs (instead of paying at the pharmacy). All plans offer this payment option, and participation is voluntary. It doesn’t cost anything to use this option. Contact your plan or visit Medicare.gov/prescription-payment-plan for more information and to find out if this payment option is right for you.

Yep, my mom hates it

And that's why many.plans quit offering coverage

I found a plan through united Healthcare. But for the real elderly, frail, and sick it's a freaking nightmare. I Have to take the advantage plan because if my heart issue, I was told. Because I was looking into a ppo supplement.

Medicare wouldn't let you into a plain medicare with a with a medigap plan? I'm just starting to look into this, so pardon my ignorance.

I recently became eligible for Medicare. I chose regular Medicare along with a Medicare supplement (Mutual of Omaha - Plan N) as well as a Part D plan through Wellcare. As long as you get a Medicare supplement when you first become eligible for Medicare, they cannot deny you. My hesitancy with a Medicare Advantage plan is you are limited as to the network of doctor's you can see, plus it pretty much rules out traveling since most of your doctors are located geographically close to where you live. Also, once on Medicare Advantage, if you decide to switch back to regular Medicare, you would have to provide proof of insurability in order to get a Medicare supplement policy. I worked with Boomer Benefits and they were great at assisting me find the best Medicare supplement (costs me $81.92 per month for Mutual of Omaha Plan N and Part D drug plan through Wellcare (no premium in 2025.) Obviously, I am also paying the Medicare Part B premium of $185.00 per month which is deducted out of my Social Security check. Mutual of Omaha gives a discount if you have another family member in the household that is age 60 or older. I guess they figure they will end up going through the same carrier as the spouse when the time comes.

Not ignorant at all. It's a learning experience. I had a heart attack so I guess it's a pre existing condition. I got an advantage when I first turned 65 because I dint understand it all. Then I never got sick took no meds, didn't even have a doctor, so why pay? Then it happened. I was told had to be heart attack free for 2 yrs before I could buy a medigap supplement. I'm OK with what I got, it's cut my meds to 1000 a year. And I do not plan on ever being in hospital again. That's the killer with an advantage plan. Plus most are hmo. So you have to find one that includes your Dr, dentist etc. In network. It's a pain!

My new BCBS Plan for 2026 , has all drugs costs being covered once my out of pocket reaches $615. I had to switch plans because my primary care doctor was dropping my old coverage and would have been out of network.

With the COLA for Social Security increasing my check by $105/ month, I still lose $22/month.
It's all the medicare deduction increases that drag me down.
My SS will only be $2770.40/month for 2026.