Medicare + supplement or Medicare Advantage Plan?

[antmaril]

Thanks for the recommendation! I'm also signing up for Medicare-just received my card today. When I called for info, AARP United Healthcare was very polite and answered all my questions thoroughly without pushing. CIGNA, on the other hand, defined "pushy sales".

You're welcome! I, too, found the United Healthcare rep very knowledgeable and helpful. She answered all of my questions and didn't push. Several of my friends (who are older than me) recommended AARP United Healthcare. They have been pleased with the coverage.

 

[tvguy]

You're welcome! I, too, found the United Healthcare rep very knowledgeable and helpful. She answered all of my questions and didn't push. Several of my friends (who are older than me) recommended AARP United Healthcare. They have been pleased with the coverage.

My mom started with AARP United Healthcare, and switched to Secure Horizons because they threw in the dental and vision coverage for free.
After she had a stroke, and was in the hospital, then a rehab center and finally a Board and Care home with a visiting nurse and physical therapist, everyone at the facilities remarked at what good coverage she had, and how easy and quick approvals were for care she needed.

 

[Jewel1310]

Medicare Advantage plans are plans that pay your Medicare coverage through an HMO or PPO. If you have an HMO or PPO now, you may be able to get a Medicare Advantage plan through your existing insurance provider. Care is managed, just as it is under an HMO and PPO but the plans have to provide at least the care covered by Original Medicare. If you had an HMO or PPO and it worked for you then a Medicare Advantage plan should work for you as well.

If you ever feel that your care is less than what Original Medicare covered you can appeal. if the health plan keeps their original decision your appeal is automatically forwarded to an independent review entity to evaluate whether the plan's decision was right.

Medicare Supplements give more freedom but are more expensive. If you select a Medicare Supplement plan (sometimes called Medigap) you will want to get your Prescription Drug coverage from a prescription Drug plan. Under a Medicare advantage plan you generally get your prescriptions directly with your Medicare Advantage plan. You can get information on these plans on Medicare.gov

Keacc - your situation is something you should complain directly to Medicare about. While technically most disenrollments from a Medicare Advantage plan must be completed in writing, the plan said they would terminate your coverage. Call 1-800-MEDICARE and explain what happened. They should cnotact the plan on your behalf.

I would suggest that individuals wondering about their options contact their local office of aging or State Health Insurance Counselors (SHIP). They can give you independent information. An agent or broker can definitely help you too, but they may have a commission incentive to refer you to one plan or another.

 

[Steven Moore]

Sorry for replying late, but I would like to share my opinion that my dad took Medicare advantage plan and he loved using it. For choosing the plan, he took the help from an expert in getting the best plan for him according to his health. After consulting them, he registered for Medicare advantage part C which covers the cost of hospice care and also extra coverages like vision, hearing, dental and health or wellness program which is most beneficial for my dad.

 

[Dean1953]

I turn 65 in a little over 2 weeks. For the last 4 months, I have been inundated with mail and phone calls, most extolling their supplemental plans. From what I understand, I have 2 months past my birthday to sign up. I'm postponing it as long as possible to not have to pay the $135 for part B. I have no Doctor, no health problems and take no medications, so I'm leaning toward an advantage policy. Are they THAT bad?

 

[runwad]

I turn 65 in a little over 2 weeks. For the last 4 months, I have been inundated with mail and phone calls, most extolling their supplemental plans. From what I understand, I have 2 months past my birthday to sign up. I'm postponing it as long as possible to not have to pay the $135 for part B. I have no Doctor, no health problems and take no medications, so I'm leaning toward an advantage policy. Are they THAT bad?

I'm not close to 65 but I did sit in on a Medicare meeting my work had just to educate myself because I have some siblings that will be there in a couple years and I wanted to help them. One thing I learned, make sure you sign up for Part D. Even though you are healthy now, if things change and you need it, and you sign up later you will be penalized. Read about it here https://www.medicare.gov/part-d/costs/penalty/part-d-late-enrollment-penalty.html

edit oops wrong link corrected

 

[Tinknalli]

I also work in healthcare billing and would never recommend that my family or friends go with a Medicare Replacement. They pull some ridiculous crap! I feel like they prey on the elderly who are not educated in their choice and sometimes don't even realize that they don't even have regular Medicare anymore. They do not follow Medicare guidelines and patients are more likely to have to get involved to get their bills paid. Stick with regular Medicare and a good supplement. United Healthcare and Banker's Life and Casualty have some good supplemental policies.

 

[runwad]

^It is sad how complicated it all is. My head was spinning from everything i was learning. I have a ton of notes! And I'm sure it will all be different by the time I'm there.

 

[morgan98]

I turn 65 in a little over 2 weeks. For the last 4 months, I have been inundated with mail and phone calls, most extolling their supplemental plans. From what I understand, I have 2 months past my birthday to sign up. I'm postponing it as long as possible to not have to pay the $135 for part B. I have no Doctor, no health problems and take no medications, so I'm leaning toward an advantage policy. Are they THAT bad?

I think the general consensus is that there are more issues with the supplemental plans. I know enough about this to be dangerous because I helped my mother review her options. I think it is dangerous to base your choice of plans on your current health state. Having good coverage is important when you need it. You may even want to consider a part D plan for medications as there is a monthly penalty if you choose to sign up down the road.

I really do not go to doctors and am not on any medications either. However, having excellent health insurance is important to me to know that when something does happen, I am covered and financially it will not be an issue.

 

[manning]

Getting things straightened out is a mess.

I was using my company prescription plan as it was cheaper. Go to the doctor and asked when I switched to different company told her no and she said ok.

Next month get a bill. Turns out the company changed to advantage. I didn't catch the change. Paperwork said if there is no change disregard this letter. Didn't noticed buried in the middle of letter about the switch. Took a month get it straightened out.

 

[Dean1953]

My wife, who moved here from Thailand 8 years ago, had a hysterectomy last August and I handled the questions, bills and which proceedures were in network. I never had to deal with this for myself. I can see the frustration felt by people navigating the healthcare system and hope that I don't have to personally deal with it any time soon.