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What about just going A,B,D and skip the Advantage plan? At the moment I t go to the doctor often. If something serious comes up, though, which way is better? I only ask here because of the warning in the OP about Advantage plans.
I will try to research more myself, but just curious about your view.
A lot of people on Medicare don't have either Medigaps or Advantage. If I were you and not doctoring often and finding whatever Medicare copays you incur manageable, I would not join an Advantage plan and be restricted to certain providers - mainly because of your age. Overall, you are still probably pretty healthy. If, otoh, you were chronically ill needing a lot of care, then an MA may be best to control costs.
You can always revisit this decision - either way - annually during open enrollment and during the Medicare Advantage Enrollment Period - new this year, afaik. You could try Advantage. If you didn't like it, go back to Original Medicare in a year - or earlier if you decide shortly after joining you don't like it.
Quote:
During certain times each year (yearly enrollment periods for Part C & Part D)
If you’re in a Medicare Advantage Plan (with or without drug coverage), you can switch to another Medicare Advantage Plan (with or without drug coverage).
You can disenroll from your Medicare Advantage Plan and return to Original Medicare. If you choose to do so, you’ll be able to join a Medicare Prescription Drug Plan.
If you enrolled in a Medicare Advantage Plan during your Initial Enrollment Period, you can change to another Medicare Advantage Plan (with or without drug coverage) or go back to Original Medicare (with or without drug coverage) within the first 3 months you have Medicare.
What can't I do?
Switch from Original Medicare to a Medicare Advantage Plan.
Join a Medicare Prescription Drug Plan if you're in Original Medicare.
Switch from one Medicare Prescription Drug Plan to another if you're in Original Medicare.
A lot of people on Medicare don't have either Medigaps or Advantage. If I were you and not doctoring often and finding whatever Medicare copays you incur manageable, I would not join an Advantage plan and be restricted to certain providers - mainly because of your age. Overall, you are still probably pretty healthy. If, otoh, you were chronically ill needing a lot of care, then an MA may be best to control costs.
You can always revisit this decision - either way - annually during open enrollment and during the Medicare Advantage Enrollment Period - new this year, afaik. You could try Advantage. If you didn't like it, go back to Original Medicare in a year - or earlier if you decide shortly after joining you don't like it.
Thank you. I have had a Humana Gold Advantage plan since January. I have barely used it. The premium is zero. The story here convinces me to re-evaluate whether I should stay with it or switch back to Original Medicare.
Im sorry about what happened to your friend but Orginal Medicare+ medigap+ part D also will not pay for everything. That from personal experience. They can leave you with thousands of dollars in bills. Bottom line- They too are an ins co.
It’s very unusual for someone to have traditional Medicare and a supplemental and still have big bills. I say that is someone who has worked in geriatric rehab for over 20 years. I hate advantage plans and I always advise against them. Anytime you have a gate keeper you’re not going to get as good care. They approve therapy in three or four day increments, where as traditional Medicare keeps paying as long as the person is still making progress. It’s getting worse too. People with advantage plans are getting cut from therapy after a week or two before they’re able to walk again where as the person with traditional Medicare and a supplemental will walk out of the building.
My mother had an advantage plan and she went to rehab for three weeks, she had $5000 in co-pays afterward. Since she switched to regular Medicare and a supplemental He has been in and out of rehab multiple times without a single dollar in co-pays.
I have heard, once you go on the Advantage plan.....you can not go back to regular Medicare.
You can - BUT - if you decide to purchase a Medigap supplement, depending on your state, you will be required to complete a health questionnaire - and can be denied and/or charged a higher premium. There are no guaranteed issue rights to Medigaps after the initial Medigap enrollment period unless mandated by state law.
All of these stories give me heartburn because I become Medicare eligible next March and it’s like wading through a mine field! I’m getting daily junk mail from companies wanting me to sign up with them and of course all of them claim to be the very best option. How in the world did this ever become such a quagmire? The average person like myself is clueless as to which way to go!
All of these stories give me heartburn because I become Medicare eligible next March and it’s like wading through a mine field! I’m getting daily junk mail from companies wanting me to sign up with them and of course all of them claim to be the very best option. How in the world did this ever become such a quagmire? The average person like myself is clueless as to which way to go!
Because you are in FL which mandates issue-age Medigaps, at least the quandry of pricing is resolved. Your issues are do I want Advantage, a full Medigap, or a high deductible Medigap - and which company do I choose?
I suggest if you can't make up your mind - and are healthy with no known or foreseen major medical expenses - choose a high deductible Medigap. You can always enroll and disenroll in Advantage. Medigaps, otoh, require health underwriting after the initial Medigap enrollment period. A high deductible plan gives you all the provider and medical decision flexibility without the high premium.
Last edited by Ariadne22; 10-08-2019 at 06:56 PM..
All of these stories give me heartburn because I become Medicare eligible next March and it’s like wading through a mine field! I’m getting daily junk mail from companies wanting me to sign up with them and of course all of them claim to be the very best option. How in the world did this ever become such a quagmire? The average person like myself is clueless as to which way to go!
Don’t feel bad. The majority of people on Medicare don’t know their plan letter or the amount of their premium increases. They know the insurance companies name and if they pay the claims they are satisfied.
All of these stories give me heartburn because I become Medicare eligible next March and it’s like wading through a mine field! I’m getting daily junk mail from companies wanting me to sign up with them and of course all of them claim to be the very best option. How in the world did this ever become such a quagmire? The average person like myself is clueless as to which way to go!
I'm in the same boat...WHY is it so confusing??? Who ever let all of these private companies into the game? I'd be much happier with a regular government sponsored program that combines all of these A, B, D, G, F plans into one and charged a reasonable price and coverage, along with access to all doctors, specialists and hospitals! And I understand the F plan option is going away? Is that correct? I am in good health and only take a few meds, but my inhaler cost is INSANE right now. Nevertheless, after reading through posts, I am leaning toward going with plan G, I think it is, plus D for meds, but no idea how much all of it will cost! Crazy!
Nevertheless, after reading through posts, I am leaning toward going with plan G, I think it is, plus D for meds, but no idea how much all of it will cost! Crazy!
A high-deductible plan G will cost half that, possibly less. UHC doesn't do high deductible plans. Search here for carriers in your state - type in zipcode, wait for city to populate, cursor to that, then search:
Part D premium probably in the area of $40/mo., plus copays and deductible.
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