jrhoutex

A Few Good Men

I saw Adele in November 2016. I enjoyed her show and would love to see her again if I can find tickets before they get picked up by ticket brokers. While her songs are dark and of heart broken relationships, she put out a great performance.  No way I would spend $2K - $5K to see her again.  I did sign up for her pre-sale tickets and will know on December 7 if I get to try to purchase tickets.  If not, that's fine too.  I do have memories from her last tour to reminisce.

3 hours ago, bashful said:

Thanks so much.  Sounds like it’ll be easier to make choices.  A, B, and Supplement.

Does part D depend on if supplement includes prescriptions, or is it like A, and B, in that  D is primary prescription plan so need it, or if I choose D, then it is my Rx plan and supplement pays nothing even if it has prescription coverage?  I have some research to do.

I'm glad supplement is Medigap plan, as I recall seeing something that if you forgo Medigap plan, in favor of an Advantage plan when first eligible for Medicare, (and also mentioned in this thread), more difficult to move to a Medigap plan later.

@bashful - Since you have a group retiree medical supplement plan, you should check to see if the group also offers a Part D drug coverage.  If a company offers its retirees a group medical plan once you qualify for Medicare, it likely also offers a group Part D plan as well.  My former employer offers a group Part D plan to retirees that has similar benefits as active employees.  I have not seen any differences once I moved to Medicare with respect to the drug coverage using my former employer’s retiree group Part D plan.

If you opt for traditional (original) Medicare (Part A & B), then you need a Part D plan as well.  If you are shopping for a private Part D plan, check the formulary to insure it covers your current medications.  You likely will find different formularies from plan to plan. 

If you opt for a Medicare Advantage Plan, which is referred to as Part C, then you should check to see if they have a drug coverage.  Medicare drug coverage (Part D) is included in most Medicare Advantage (Part C) plans.

You should also check if your former employer offers a group Medicare Advantage plan to its retirees.  Some do. Group plans are designed differently.  My former employer offered its retiree's a group Medicare Advantage plan that is a nationwide PPO with the option to see any non-network doctor who accepts Medicare if they are willing to treat you.  The catch is only network doctors are required to bill the insurance company.  The retiree can ask a non-network provider to bill the insurance company but if they decline, the retiree would have to pay out of pocket and seek reimbursements from the insurance company.  Additionally, as will all Medicare Advantage plans, certain covered items require prior authorization.  I did not like all of the hoops to jump through and conditions, so I opted to stay with traditional Medicare and use my former employer’s group retiree medical plan as a secondary supplemental plan.  Traditional (original) Medicare with a supplement likely is more costly up front but provides freedom of choice and allows the doctors to make the decisions not the insurance company.  Medicare Advantage plans offer incentives like additional benefits – gyms, dental, vision, home delivery of meals after hospitalization– but come at a cost with their prior-authorization rules and medical case management utilization reviews. 

13 hours ago, bashful said:

I go on Medicare next year too.  I retired when I was 57, and got retiree medical on the same basis as active employees.  

Part of the retiree medical benefit is a supplemental plan once you go on Medicare.  

I began reading the Medicare.gov website, but haven’t got far yet, mostly because I grow tired of reading a computer screen.  Much prefer paper so I can jot notes, or highlight to keep me from getting lost.

My stupid question:  Is a supplement plan the same as a Medigap plan?

Apologies in advance if I missed the answer in all the good info above.

Not a stupid question. Yes, a supplemental plan is also referred to as a Medigap plan.  The supplemental plan fills in the gaps that Medicare does not cover.  If you don’t have a group retiree supplemental medical plan, then you would need to consider a private supplemental plan or consider the managed care options of a Medicare Advantage Plan. 

I’m in a similar situation.  I retired from an employer with group retiree medical benefits on the same basis as active employees.  When I turned 65 (in 2021), the group retiree plan becomes a secondary supplemental plan to Medicare.  Medicare is the primary insurance and once Medicare pays its share; the group retiree medical plan pays secondary.  If you have a group retiree medical plan, you likely don’t need another supplemental plan, unless of course you want dental coverage or vision coverage.  I also have those policies through my group retiree plans.

Upon retiring, the company’s retirement counselors made it clear that if you did not sign up for Medicare when you turned 65, the group retiree plan would only pay after you paid what Medicare would have paid. 

I also recommend the book recommended my @Act25and @MikeBiDude.  It helped me understand the complexities of Medicare.

As Nancy Regan would say "Just say No"  -- is my response to no nut November.

Tree nuts like almonds, hazelnuts and walnuts all have been known to boost the vitality, motility and morphology of male fertility. 

I like staying in the Mayfair district.  I stayed at The Washington Mayfair Hotel a few years ago.  It's close Green Park with easy access to the tube station and a couple of stops to the West End (London's Theatre District). I found the Mayfair area to be a fairly central location. 

See: https://www.washington-mayfair.co.uk

 

1 hour ago, Luv2play said:

I believe you reversed the time limits for cancellation policy at INNdulge; <42 days should be 50% deposit forfeited, >42 days total deposit refunded.

Thanks @Luv2play - you are correct.  I made a typo in the cancellation policy.  I've made the correction via en edit.

Phoenix to NYC - 2153 air miles

Correction - Just remembered - NYC to Palm Springs - 2378 air miles

 

Assisting living facilities are ever changing based on the demographics they serve.  I’m starting to see more facilities opening up with upscale accommodations and rooftop restaurants and lounges.  

I placed my mother in an assisting living facility for a few years before she had a stroke and need nursing home care.  She had become a prison in her own home as she could no longer drive herself and most all of her friends had passed.  She finally agreed to move and the first 3 years she really flourished.  She met new people and became more social.  The facility had all sorts of daily activities and social time just to meet and mingle with others.  They took residents out on weekly adventures for those who were mobile.  It was much better than staying home with no social contact.  One has to be prepared for folks leaving the facility for more advanced care.  I don’t recall residents with dementia at her facility.  Years later when my aunt moved to a nursing home, they had a separate wing for the dementia patients.  Once my mother went to a nursing home, the stroke left her bed ridden and a memory of living in the past.  I remember having conversations with her and what she remembered was all true, it just happened 20 years in the past.  It wasn’t long until she stopped talking all together.

 

I first attended the Palm Springs weekend event in 2014.  The first couple of years, I stayed at locations where few if any other forum members stayed.  On my first three visit I stayed at East Canyon Hotel & Spa located on the north end of downtown.  I found this location gets considerably more wind than the resorts in the Warm Sands area.  I switched to Inndulge in 2017 and have continued staying at Inndulge.  I like staying where other forum members are for the conversation and camaraderie among other attendees.

In 2020, I have a reservation at Inndulge for a 4-night stay and cancelled after the 42-day cancellation period.  I thought I lost my entire 50% deposit.  Instead, Inndulge offered a future credit for half of my deposit.  Essentially, they offered credit for one night on a future reservation that I ended up using in 2021.  Of course, my airline gave me a total credit for a future flight due to covid restrictions.  I understand Inndulge is a small business with incredible busines obstacles due to covid. 

In the past, many attendees’ stay at either Canyon Club or Inndulge.  I know others have stayed at Santiago and the Hacienda at Warm Springs.  Room rates and cancellation policies vary from each property. Below are the cancellations policy:

Hotel	Required Reservation Deposit	Cancellation Policy
Canyon Club	One night deposit	Non-holiday – 72-hour notice Holiday period – 7-day notice Must call property to cancel Minimum $15 cancellation fee
Inndulge	50% deposit required 42 days from arrival date	Cancel > 42 days from arrival date – no charge, deposit refunded. Cancel < 42 days from arrival date – 50% deposit forfeited May get future credit at property discretion.
Santiago Resort	One night deposit	Non-holiday – 7-day notice – full refund Holiday/Special Events – 14-day notice – full refund
The Hacienda at Warm Springs	No deposit required at time of reservation.  Authorization on credit card at 14 days or 30 days prior to arrival	Non-holiday – 14-day notice – no obligations Holiday/Special Events – 30-day notice – no obligations

Both Inndulge and Santiago appear to be similar in terms of price and value ranging from $280-$350 night. The Hacienda at Warms Springs elevates the accommodations to a suite with beautiful furnishings and a top-notch low-key establishment ranging from $419-$509 per night.  The Canyon Club is a value-based establishment with rates ranging from $99-$174 per night.

One can find prior travelers’ comments along with candid pictures on Trip Advisor for each establishment.  In my experience, I find Trip Advisor reviews to be more likely than not, on target with my actual experience.  Below is a summary for Trip Advisor Reviews:

Hotel	# Of Reviews	% Excellent/Very good	% Poor/Terrible	Rank out of 38 Specialty Lodging
Canyon Club	161	72%	19%	21
Inndulge	661	94%	3%	7
Santiago	890	96%	1%	1
The Hacienda	574	99%	0%	2

The bottom-line is you get what you pay for. I hope this information helps others.  As previously stated, it’s a great opportunity to meet others who share similar interest.

Here is a tweet that has a current pic of AJ Irons. 

Still a cute guy!

I received the same email from INNdulge as well.  I also found where Palm Springs City Council passed an ordinance on Wednesday, August 4 requiring proof of COVID vaccination to eat indoors at restaurants, bars and "large-scale" ticketed events.  see: https://abc7.com/covid-vaccine-mandate-palm-springs-bars/10932134/

As far as I can tell, it pertains to the City of Palm Springs and not the entire state of California.  Perhaps some of our peeps in California can let use know what to expect when visiting The Golden State!

Ah - not a "new provider" as stated above.  That is a system generated message, but rather "new" as added to the provider database.  Just testing the new software by adding a provider to the "new provider database".

I always liked Chase's video work from his Falcon days - years ago.

 

A new provider was added to the Provider database.

Name: Chase Hunter
Profile URL: https://rentmen.eu/chasehunter
Age: 50's
Orientation: Gay
Ethnicity: Caucasian

Physical Information:
Height: 6'0"
Weight: 170 lbs
Build: Muscled
Eyes: Hazel
Hair: Blond
Facial Hair: Smooth
Body Hair: Light

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Masks seems to muffle the sound. Sometimes I find it takes a few seconds for me to comprehend what the person said. I don't have any hearing issues when a person does not wear a mask.  Speech and comprehension takes a little longer when someone wears a mask.

@Marccliff - Here is a link to a review on Damian - https://jawjateck.tumblr.com

I've only met Damian in a social setting in PS.  

I've stayed at Sixty Soho in 2018-2019 on several trips to NYC.  I liked the location and reasonable walking distance to the subway.  I liked the neighborhood and number of restaurants in the immediate area.  Rates were from $250-350 range at that time.  My last NYC trip I moved to a sister property - Sixty Lower East Side (Sixty LES)(https://www.sixtyhotels.com/destinations/new-york-city/sixty-les) as they had lower rates.  One thing about Sixty LES is the bedding is very low to the floor.  They have platform bedding that is very low and can be a little challenging getting out of bed.

The Sixty Soho has a restaurant (Leased to a third party) on the first floor and a private rooftop bar.  The rooftop bar (leased to a third party) was active but I didn't hear any noise during my visits.  I'd stay at Sixty Soho if I got a good rate, otherwise, I'd look elsewhere.  

I can't find my "watched" content.  I see the post/message is still rebuilding/processing.  I looked under the My Activity, Content/Follow and did not find anything.  Is this were my "watched" threads may be located?  Thanks @RadioRobfor your efforts! 

Does meatballmike have an ad? I tried replacing the name with "Meatballmike" and nothing came up.

 

Here is a link: https://rentmen.eu/Meatball_Mike

Just filled up @ Costco in Houston - $2.49 regular and $2.75 for premium. Of course we have three gasoline refineries in a 50 mile radius. The pipeline supplying the Northeast should restart mid-day today.

I agree, the new layout does look familiar. I'm sure we will adjust if you decide to move forward. You are volunteering your time to this project using a software product that you are proficient should be expected.

 

I may be a little worried about the ability to post images that are saved to this site due to current FOSTA/SESTA regulations. You never know what folks may post that is being hosted here.

Thanks for the heads up and keeping us advised.

I appreciate your work and effort on the reorganization. I like it.

 

....However, I'd meet you at WC anytime.

 

Hmmm - I'll pickup a Whataburger in a Texas Airport Terminal on my way to NYC over a WC anytime.

 

I'm looking forward to Broadway reopening too.

Happy Birthday! Wishing you great success in your new location. Its exciting moving forward and committing to your business. I found your IG site as well. Nice work!