Any advice on supplemental health insurance for my Mom (80), she has Medicare but will need a secondary insurance?

Well, I can tell you what my mom had, I have, several friends, my fiancé . . . We all have Blue Cross. The second best. None of us has ever paid anything but our Medicare deductible. Mom's bills in the last year of her life were over $100,000. She had 60 days of rehanging a first rate nursing home as well as an in-home nurse twice a week, personal aid once a week, physical therapist and occupational therapist for probably three months. Her doc came to the house, podiatrist as well. Hospice, all supplies, etc etc etc -- didn't pay one dime.

Coverage varies by county. Do a search for Medicare Supplemental coverage in your county or use your zipcode.

We also have a Blue Cross Medigap policy; the only things we've paid for out-of-pocket have been foot creams and an orthopedic (broken foot) boot, as well as meds.

Incidentally, AAA used to offer a prescription discount card.

Believe that you can get Medigap policy something like 6 months before or after you turn 65 without medical questions being asked. After that they can refuse you or your rates are as high as the roof. My Mother has had one since 65 but Dad did not THINK he would need one ever because of the VA which EVERYONE told him that if was not true. Would not listen so now he is 90 and he doesn't want to pay the 20%. I tried to look into it and found out that his rate now would be 897 a month!! WELL he does not like that either. decided to ignore his medical bills and just not pay them. Well now they are charging him interest on the 20% and he is ignoring that also. Now they are sending his bills to a collection agent who said that they were going to take it out of his Social Security check. Well he does not believe that they will. He is crazy and blocking Mom's care. Don't know what to do.