Comments for Bill Anderson's Blog

Comment on VA Healthcare or Medicare by Bill A

Bill A — Sun, 11 Jul 2010 20:01:43 +0000

Since you have a service related disability, your decision could be different than mine. First, does the VA provide 100% of your health care needs? If so, is there a chance that this status may change in the future? It is a balancing act. You can refuse Medicare Part B now, but you will pay a penalty if you need it later. The penalty is a permanent increase in your monthly Medicare payment. Since I am in priority group 5, the VA can change my priority group every year based on income. Thus, there is a chance that I may reach a point that I am not covered by VA Healthcare. Should this happen, Medicare will be my only option.

Comment on VA Healthcare or Medicare by A.J. Meunier

A.J. Meunier — Sun, 04 Jul 2010 13:28:41 +0000

Should I opt out of Medicare Part B when I turn 65 later this year? I am a disabled vet in Priority Group 2. The wife and I could certainly use the extra $110.50 per month to pay off other bills.

Comment on VA Healthcare or Medicare by Bill A

Bill A — Thu, 24 Jun 2010 18:11:19 +0000

As I understand it, the VA does cover emergency care. If given a choice, most hospitals would prefer to bill Medicare over VA. VA is not fast in paying, put they do pay. I know that the VA Clinic transfers emergency patients to a local hospital.

Comment on VA Healthcare or Medicare by A.J. Meunier

A.J. Meunier — Thu, 24 Jun 2010 12:45:30 +0000

I will be turning 65 this October and still debating whether or not to opt out of Medicare part B. I am in VA priority group 2. If I opt out of Medicare Part B I understand that if I am transported to a non VA emergency room if closer than my VA hospital that I have 72 hours to call VA and that it will be taken care of. Can anyone tell me what it means “that it will be taken care of”?

Comment on Web Site in a Week by Internet Traffic | Traffic Turnover

Internet Traffic | Traffic Turnover — Tue, 27 Apr 2010 20:45:36 +0000

[...] Web Site in a Week « Bill Anderson's Blog [...]

Comment on War Memorials and Religious Symbols by Willard Lindman

Willard Lindman — Mon, 12 Apr 2010 16:17:36 +0000

Awesome post as always, thank you for writing all this helpful stuff on a regular basis.

Comment on VA Healthcare or Medicare by Rick

Rick — Fri, 09 Apr 2010 00:56:52 +0000

Bill,
I have been researching the VA versus Medicare part B situation since my last blurb, and I do mean research; Whewww
I think fingers are worn out all the way around. :>)
I have decided to not go with Part B for many reasons:
1) I have VA
2) Part B goes up just about every year and you have no control over it.
Like many people I need my Soco checks (I worked 40 years for them) and don’t want to see them dwindle as I get older.
3) If you have Part B you also need supplemental.
4)Obama is going after the Advantage plans with a passion.
5) VA does not go away just because you have Medicare, you just have to choose.
6) I talked to a 75 year old vet friend of mine today that is about to go in to the VA for his second hip replacement and recommended I do not get the part B (he has never had it)
7) If I am in that bad a shape that I can’t get to the VA facility then I really don’t want to live any longer.
I hope you are doing better, but it sounds like complications are doing there job of screwing things up.

Comment on VA Healthcare or Medicare by admin

admin — Wed, 24 Mar 2010 00:13:45 +0000

The American Legion National Commander posted the same comments on Facebook and Twitter yesterday morning. He apparently received a bunch of phone calls for congressman regarding the Legion’s position after the news release from the VFW. As the Webmaster for American Legion of Montana, I try to keep track of this information. I wore my fingers out the last few days between Twitter and Facebook.

Comment on VA Healthcare or Medicare by Richard Milyard

Richard Milyard — Wed, 24 Mar 2010 00:07:07 +0000

I found a nice stars and stripes article:
That your VA readers might be interested in that concerns what effect all this new healthcare may have on there benefits. Set my mind at ease. http://blogs.stripes.com/blogs/stripes-central/health-care-bill-wont-impact-tricare-va-health-programs

Comment on VA Healthcare or Medicare by admin

admin — Tue, 23 Mar 2010 22:35:57 +0000

If you read my other posts, you know that I fell off a ladder almost 8 months ago, and broke my femur in two places. It doesn’t take long to fall 8 feet, but it sure takes a long time to heal. My wife has banned me from ladders, but I still have to work on the house. I just avoid extension ladders and roofs, especially metal roofs.