It's better for your grandfather to get a Medicare Part B Plan even though this requires a significant monthly premium. Part B is generally better than other Medicare HMOs out there. With HMOs, co-pays of $15 to $20 only apply to doctor visits. Procedures that are done, either in the doctor's office or in other out-patient facilities, are still subject to 20% patient coinsurance. Medicare Part B charges the same. If you're worried about what Medicare Part B won't cover, then you should probably get a Medicare supplementary plan. Some of these supplementary insurance plans may pay 100% of Medicare's deductible and co-insurance, or just the coinsurance. There are still monthly premiums for this supplementary plan, so your grandfather might need to shell out money for this aside from paying the premiums of Medicare Part B. Your grandfather, by the way, needs to apply for Medicare Part B. Getting Medicaid might also be a good idea. Medicaid will act as if it were a Medicare supplementary plan. - June 17, 2009 @ 7:56 am