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Navigating Medicare is a bear. Just be sure that you make a choice that will serve you well for the long-term because switching once you are sick is essentially impossible. Advantage plans are almost always great when you are well but can be a a burden or an expense with a serious illness. Deceased DH was on an Advantage plan (my choice). We had no problems until his dementia became advanced. We couldn't see the psychiatrist we wanted or the in-house physician we wanted at his assisted living facility because they weren't on his plan. At the end when we were exploring psychiatric help again, his plan didn't include any of the geriatric psychiatry resources available. We have a friend who has a huge debt with a major Boston hospital because his Advantage plan wouldn't cover him going to the specialist based there for his unusual medical condition.

I have a supplemental plan with Medicare which costs me a bit over $200 a month but covers absolutely everything. I never get a bill other than the insurance bill. It was an easy decision for me because prior to Medicare I was paying $800 a month for a high deductible plan which meant I paid out of pocket for most routine visits.

ETA: BUT the prescription plans are way less great. As you know Medicare Part D plans will not pay for any weight loss drugs unless there is an existing cardiac condition (high blood pressure doesn't count). And because of this rule it is illegal for pharmaceutical firms to let you have the drugs at a reduced price.

Love it!!!

Greetings all

Checking in while I wait for the accountant to finish studio payroll. I need to go to the studio but don't want to make two trips. So I will spend the later afternoon "on the road".

Meanwhile we took pictures of my hands and emailed them to the hand surgeon. He thinks he can do some good on my right hand so I guess I will schedule. He is in Larkspur just north of the golden gate so it's an overnight trip. I have gone down and back in one day but not anymore. I get a minimally invasive procedure called needle aponeurotemy where they poke the underlying scar tissue and then break the cords that causes contracture. It heals pretty fast. Otherwise it's an open surgery under a general where they dissect out all the scar tissue and its a *****

Liz sorry the game got rained on but better to eat the tickets rather than sit in cold rain. Lucky Justice.

DD sounds like school is shaping up. Glad the difficult student is being reassigned. good plan all around. And yeah I have hoarder DH too. Not sure where his habit comes from. Maybe genetic. His mother's basement had about 30 trash bags of cottage cheese cartons.

Yay on weight loss Peps. Motor home in retirement?! We see lots of them around here. I can see it if you are traveling with several dogs but not so much with just one.

No clue on tonights dinner. Too many errands first.

Diane S

Nice pictures Paula. Looks like a great garden.

I woke up to a significant scale drop today. Was nice after a long weekend of showing with inadequate results. 1.5 pounds to go until I'm in the next decade.

I am back with students today. Makes the work much more enjoyable to have that interaction and be doing "my thing" with my littles!

I am having some pre retirement concerns. I suppose that is normal, so I am promising to ride it out and not make any rash or hasty decisions. My biggest concern is the monthly output for the RV. With storage, insurance, registration, loan payments, etc.... It is a huge expense. I'm not sure it is worth it financially -especially on a reduced income. Pros and cons to explore.

Well, recess is almost over... Gotta get back to the grind.

It sounds like this year at school is off to a better start than last year. I hope that continues!