Help with choosing a medicare part b plan--AARP?

[Distinkt]

We have Medicare A and B and Medigap Plan G through AARP/United Healthcare. I have been happy with the coverage through AARP. It paid all of the amounts not covered by Medicare part B On a few of my claims, but I have not had many. My husband is still employed, but we opted to go with Medicare and Medigap coverage bc it was cheaper and had more coverage than my husband’s employer provided health insurance which is coincidentally through United Healtcare.

 

[Dan Murphy]

Also, keep this in mind regarding plan F......

https://www.medicare.gov/medigap-su.../plans?fips=17031&zip=60056&year=2021&lang=en

Starting January 1, 2020, Medigap plans can no longer cover the Part B deductible. This means Plan C, Plan F, and Plan F-high deductible aren't available if you:

• Turned 65 on or after January 1, 2020
• Are under 65, and your Medicare Part A starts on or after January 1, 2020

If you turned 65 before January 1, 2020, or if you’re under 65 and your Part A started before January 1, 2020, you may be able to buy these plans if they’re offered in your state. If you already have one of these plans, you can keep it.

 

[Dan Murphy]

Plan G through AARP/United Healthcare.......It paid all of the amounts not covered by Medicare part B

Except the Part B annual deductible.

 

[lanejudy]

My DH had a United Healthcare Medicare Advantage plan. It was good coverage.

Check with a local senior center or the local library. Many offer Meficare information sessions. If your mom takes any regular maintenance mefications, be sure to check pricing for her specific brands/generics. Coverage can vary widely by plan.

 

[BethID]

Look up your state's SHIBA office. It stands for statewide health insurance benefit advisors. You and your mom can make an appointment and get help. They are able to look at the various plans in your area, and get prices and benefits for you. They are not trying to sell you anything, so they are unbiased. Choosing a plan is very stressful and the info is overwhelming. My mom used them when she turned 65 and she was happy with their service. It is a free service provided by the state. Highly recommend!

 

[HeatherC]

Can you change plans yearly if you find one isn’t working for you?

 

[HeatherC]

So for Part B, does EVERYONE have this deducted from your social security checks?

 

[Kitty 34]

OP, is this a one time decision for your mother or does she have to pick something every year?

The reason I ask is once I hit 65 (over a year ago) my school insurance I've been on since I was retired at 61 now became my supplemental as I was now on Medicare as my main plan. I do remember having to pick the right "letters" when getting on Medicare, tho.

 

[lynxstch]

So for Part B, does EVERYONE have this deducted from your social security checks?

As far as I know..the answer is YES

 

[rajak73]

but who? All the ads for supplement insurance seemed kind of shady and I'm not retirement age yet so I don't really know anyone who has medicare.

We talked to our health insurance, car and home insurance agent and she helped tremendously.

 

[georgina]

So for Part B, does EVERYONE have this deducted from your social security checks?

Since DH isn't yet taking social security, we get a monthly bill for his part B.

He has the AARP supplemental insurance G and has been OK with it so far.

 

[lynxstch]

@Dan Murphy Thank you for all the info you have posted on this matter! We are in the process of trying to disentangle all of this for hubby , who is retiring in Dec. He has had part A since he turned 65 almsot 2 years ago, and we now need to add Part B, Part D, and are trying to decipher what is what with F, High deductible F, G and high deductible G. He is calling the local State Health Insurance Program (which is also at the Senior Center) to make an appt with them and try and figure it out. I don't want to be filling out all that stuff online just to get quotes from all those insurance companies, it makes my head spin . And once they have your info, they don't stop calling or email..and it just makes me more annoyed, lol. He is going to look into AARP/United and Maryland Blue Cross or CareFirst here to see what they offer too. But a lot of what you posted gave us good ideas where to start comparing! Thanks again Dan!
Lynn

 

[antmaril]

Still though, if anyone has the AARP plan let me know if you like it or hate it.

I have AARP/United Healthcare for my Supplement to Medicare. I have Plan F. I am very happy with it. I have not had a bill for anything since I turned 65, four years ago.

ETA: I do not have an Advantage plan. I did not think that was the best choice for me. I also want to add that when I called AARP to discuss my options, the woman I spoke to was very helpful and took her time. I asked her if Plan F was the most comprehensive plan available and she said “Yes. There is nothing available to you that would be more comprehensive than Plan F.“.

 

[lanejudy]

be
So for Part B, does EVERYONE have this deducted from your social security checks?

As far as I know..the answer is YES

If you are signed up for Medicare Part B and you are collecting Social Security benefits then the answer is yes - the Part B premiums will be automatically deducted from your SSA check/deposit.

However, neither is dependent upon the other. One can be registered for Medicare Part B but not yet be collecting Social Security - in which case the Part B premium is billed (quarterly, I think, though it may depend on which plan). Conversely, one can be receiving Social Security benefits but not be signed up for Medicare Part B (Part A is automatic at age 65 with no cost), in which case there is no premium deducted from the SSA check.

 

[NannyBeBe]

We have had AARP Medicare Advantage from United Health Care for several years. We like it and have never had any issues with coverage.

 

[lanejudy]

Can you change plans yearly if you find one isn’t working for you?

Usually -- but there are some situations where you might not. As a PP mentioned, if it's tied to employer retiree benefits, you may not have a choice to change.

 

[HeatherC]

If you are signed up for Medicare Part B and you are collecting Social Security benefits then the answer is yes - the Part B premiums will be automatically deducted from your SSA check/deposit.

However, neither is dependent upon the other. One can be registered for Medicare Part B but not yet be collecting Social Security - in which case the Part B premium is billed (quarterly, I think, though it may depend on which plan). Conversely, one can be receiving Social Security benefits but not be signed up for Medicare Part B (Part A is automatic at age 65 with no cost), in which case there is no premium deducted from the SSA check.

Thanks everyone. It is interesting because I would guess “most” people have no clue about this before they think about retiring. Yet another reason why you cannot rely on SS to carry you through retirement. I can imagine how many people plan on getting X amount from SS and then are shocked when it isn’t that because of this.

‘Anyone know what a general amount is that is deducted? We are in our 50’s now so we are starting to think about and plan more carefully for retirement now.

 

[peabody58]

More alphabet soup - you'll need to decide HMO or PPO. My MIL is in Assisted Living, and they use a medical provider that only accepts PPO. Saved $$ by dumping her AARP Medicare Advantage and getting Aetna supplemental coverage.

 

[Simba's Mom]

My goodness, this is dizzying just to read. How on earth do people choose wisely if they aren't feeling well or have help? Scary thought, but it's nice that people are helping the OP.

My Mom says that a few months before Dad died, he switched her to a Medicare plan (previously she got her health insurance thru Dad's government retiree insurance). She says it was the best favor he ever did for her, because she insists she NEVER could have figured everything out!

 

[lynxstch]

Thanks everyone. It is interesting because I would guess “most” people have no clue about this before they think about retiring. Yet another reason why you cannot rely on SS to carry you through retirement. I can imagine how many people plan on getting X amount from SS and then are shocked when it isn’t that because of this.

‘Anyone know what a general amount is that is deducted? We are in our 50’s now so we are starting to think about and plan more carefully for retirement now.

If you are asking how much part B is,,what they take out of my SS check right now ,it's $140, or $145 a month, (can't remember which at the moment), but probably going to go up a little in January.