[meyer]

Funny that you should mention Insurance.

I’m starting to get much more familiar with Medigap versus Medicare advantage. Pending any changes, my employer-provided insurance will end Jan 31 and I have to pick things up on February 1.

Trying to decide the best route here. Especially since I plan to move out of state in 2025, so any plan that ties me into a local network is out.

[tang-soo]

I’m starting to get much more familiar with Medigap versus Medicare advantage. Pending any changes, my employer-provided insurance will end Jan 31 and I have to pick things up on February 1.

My wife and I were introduced to a Medicare adviser about 6 months before I retired. She performs her service at no charge. I assume this applies to most if not all advisers. She makes her income from the provider that is chosen by each client. Can't speak to the entire industry, but ours never pushed us to a particular provider. Her service was invaluable. She had a portal where we entered all our medical providers and prescriptions. This tool then provided a matrix of options from providers that were under contract by all our doctors and listed the impacted cost of each medication. The process is much too complicated unless one devotes a full-time effort to generate the research yourself. Likely recommend the use of their services. We intentionally used a local independent adviser rather than a large firm.

[WildHighlander57]

Go with Original Medicare and a gap plan.

Gap plan G and N are similar coverage, with N not covering part B excess charges (ex: Dr charges more than what Medicare allows) while G does cover the excess.

With N, for the 20% of part B that Medicare doesn’t pay for, all of the 20% is covered except for a copay of up to $20 for Dr visit and up to $50 for ER visit that doesn’t result in hospital admission, while G covers the whole 20%.

In comparison of quotes from the same company (ex: Humana), the premiums for N are less than those for G.

I wouldn’t touch Advantage plans with a 100 foot pole.

[BBB333]

Medicare Slide:

I agree with WildHighlander57

My independant agent advised me that all ‘C’ plans are HMO’s and, as such, are NOT Medicare and do NOT have to abide by the Medicare laws. They can change things at will and mess up your coverage.

I have Medicare A, B which is mandatory and a G+ plan (not sure if I will continue with the plus next year - TBD). VERY happy with my coverage.

As I understand it an agent earns about five times more commission on a ‘C’ plan rather than a ‘G’ (or other) Medicare plan...so if someone is aiming you at a ‘C’ plan it’s likely they are in it for the money rather than for your benefit.

Lastly, if you use the search function and search Medicare there are several great threads here on FR.