Oh boy

I got my paperwork for medicare a month ago but haven't been brave enough to search for plans until today.  I didn't thoroughly look and I avoided the drug plans but I did find out that I can't get a Medigap policy.  That means that all co-pays come directly from me.  I had hoped to pay for the Medigap to reduce my costs a bit since I have to pay 20% of everything that isn't inpatient and inpatient has high costs too.  Ohio is behind in requiring Medigap for disabled people and while I know it is possible it isn't possible in this county. 

This is going to make some decisions for me.  I need to have ankle surgery and I need to do it before too much more time passes as my ankle is turning in more and more and my achilles is getting tight.  As I understand this surgery it requires quite a bit of physical therapy.  I am going to be better off to be on home health to get that than to go to outpatient. Which is probably fine; I probably will be homebound then anyway more or less and it pays 100%.  But I just never thought that this would be something I'd need. 

I wish there were ways to know what exactly co-pays will be with Medicare rates.  Going on Medicare is really hard without knowing that because I can't plan ahead.  I have no idea if I'll get any assistance from Cleveland Clinic if I have a huge bill (surgery) as I'll be applying for assistance as an exemption instead of just qualifying as I do now.

I hate this waiting thing.  I could do a managed medicare program but I need to know if Dr. Body participates and if the whole thing is a good idea; those can be huge rip-offs at times.  I know a lot about it but not what to do.  So I guess I do the easiest to understand way this year and change next if necessary.

Ack.