Success Story of the Month: Vacation Hic-Up
Yep! The entire Hester clan, all five generations including great grandparents, grandparents, their kids, their kids kids, and the great grandbabies! Everyone was so excited. Tony and Ana had found two ocean beach houses side by side in sunny California that could accommodate them all for two whole weeks! The grandparents, Tony and Ana, knew time was running out for one last big reunion for Tony’s parents Ben and Opal, the great grandparents, and they wanted this to be a special surprise! With everyone’s schedules, it was becoming almost impossible with kids in school, college, and jobs, to get everyone in the same place and time. Sports equipment, board games, card decks, volleyball posts and net, almost anything they could think of for beach play activities, was gathered and packed. And meals! My goodness! There was a totally separate truck rented and filled to the brim for anything that would be needed for all the hungry mouths. Tony and his wife Ana had coordinated the entire event as a surprise party for their elderly parent’s 60th wedding anniversary. As far as Ben and Opal knew, it was just going to be the four of them at the beach, not the some thirty folks that made up the extended family! Ana was an excellent party planner and knew it would just be a matter of timing to make the whole vacation work. As everyone began to arrive, Ben and Opal could not believe what was happening! Car after car arrived with additional loved ones, and each new arrival started a completely new round of shouts and tears of joy! As with most families, the guys started horsing around with the football on the beach as the ladies were in the kitchen fussing over the groceries. The first day was a complete success and everyone was worn out from the travel day. They all slept soundly. The next few days were wonderful as each day turned out beautiful. But…what started out as just another day of fun, quickly turned serious as Great Granddad Ben began having chest pains after a walk on the beach. Opal began shouting for help as the clan ran down the beach to help. Tony and his sister, Lisa, quickly rushed their father to a local hospital emergency room where Ben was quickly taken in to see the doctor. Meanwhile, the hospital admission administrator needed insurance information on who was responsible for payment. Tony and Lisa had no clue about their dad’s health insurance, but Tony had turned 65 the year before and at least knew what he was looking for in dad’s wallet. They found his Medicare card and another card marked Plan F. After a quick review of the cards, the hospital administrator quickly let them know they had no need to worry. Great Granddad Ben’s Medicare along with the Medigap Plan F would pay for all services. The adult kids were relieved and could now focus on Dad’s treatment. After only three days, the doctor released Ben and they were back enjoying the beach! Only a few days later, it was Tony’s turn with an emergency! He had developed a sharp pain in his side and also had to be rushed to the hospital. The administrator was surprised to see some of the same folks she had just seen a few days earlier. This time the answer was different on the insurance coverage questions, as Tony has a Medicare Advantage plan. These plans only cover medical services in a geographic area, and they were obviously a long way from home. Nevertheless, no worries, as even with his Medicare Advantage plan, Tony has Emergency and Urgent Care anywhere in the United States, he just pays the plan’s co-pays. Come to find out, Tony had an emergency appendicitis removal. The doctor even joked that this was usually a case for teenagers, and not old farts! Tony and the doctor shared a good laugh as Tony said “Tell me about it!” It was routine surgery and he was back with the group two days later, even though he was moving a bit slower from surgery and had to curtail a few of the more rigorous beach games due to the soreness. Thank goodness there were no other medical issues over the ensuing rest of the reunion. But all family members got a real good education on how Medicare works regardless of which plan their parents had. Remember, either Medicare with a Medigap, or a Medicare Advantage plan both have emergency and urgent care coverage anywhere in the USA! Call us with questions about YOUR Medicare coverage! We can help.
