Posted on 12/03/2020 9:51:41 AM PST by Captain Peter Blood
I turned 65 in June and got on Medicare. I got the normal Medicare plans including Plan D, and optional Dental and Vision overage. Cost about $150 a total.
I opted not to go Medicare Advantage at that time until and I could research it and see if it was all that was claimed.
I recently talked to the Blue Cross rep here in Arkansas and after all my questions were answered and i knew my doctor was in the network I opted for a Advantage Plan, PPL plan for $49.00 a month and I am satisfied I made a good choice.
Now I take care of a 94 year old Aunt who is in good health. Recently though she was in the hospital with a UTI, slight case of pneumonia, and low potassium. She recovered well and is home.
Now she has a Medigap policy through Cigna for about $150 a month, Plan G, deductible of $195. It pays for everything that Medicare doesn't and is a good policy.
The advice I am asking is if switching her to a Advantage Plan would make sense or should I leave her where she is given her age and such?
I’ll add that the commercials are intentionally vague about that.
I’ll also add that the Medigap carriers could make things very easy on themselves and us by simply providing a notice by any of several modes that:
“Your plan has been renewed for the next year. It will remain in force so long as you pay the new premium. You only need to contact us if you want to make changes to your current plan.”
Operators have told me that this one simple subject is what clogs the system and is the issue in most of the calls they are answering right now. It is the only reason I called since I could find absolutely no statement to that effect by mail, by e-mail or on my account web page.
I’d appeal that no way they should turn down skin cancer. I had same, M of O picked up all remaining after Medicare
I’ll bet Joe has a Medigap plan rather than an Advantage.
Medicare supplements rate increases apply equally to all insured members. This is regardless of their health conditions experienced in the last year. An insurance carrier cannot exempt you from rate increases because you are healthy. Likewise, they cannot single you out for an increase just because you are sick.
Premiums might be higher, though, for a person who does not enroll during the standard enrollment period and has to undergo underwriting.
I found out after applying they don’t participate in Silver Sneaks so staying where I am at,Anthem Plan N 168 a month
Should be in your Medigap contract. My Plan G contract says, “This contract is guaranteed renewable for life.”
The only way you lose coverage is failing to pay the premium.
You have read it closer than I did if it is in mine and I believe it probably is since they are all just about the same.
Good to know, I’ll look for it.
Do ya think?
In our city the NO COST Advantage programs that cover the 2 major hospital systems and the Christian-oriented clinic we use are a no brainer. I chose the one without drug benefits as I am in excellent health. I did a spreadsheet showing $1000 a year in value with free vision, dental, and physical exams and other benefits. On the no drug program specialist visits are $5, hospital in or out patient are $25 for 7 days instead of $295, and there lower max out-of-pocket. Both have $100/year for contacts, and a $240/year “wallet” for health clubs and other uses. I even get $40 free stuff from CVS every quarter (overpriced on selection list, probably worth $15, but still included). Go here, enter your zip code, and check the summaries: https://www.medicare.gov/plan-compare/
Worldwide emergency/urgent care is important to me, which my Advantage provides (and I just learned so does a high-end credit card I have). As a backup, I know how to get certain treatments overseas at low cost. Not sure if this will benefit me now though.
Just had my first “Welcome to Medicare” exam today...
Very good comment — all the way thru
Who is your supplemental plan with PLEASE if you don’t mind my asking!! THANK YOU
Only a $1,980.00 difference :-)
You probably had a lot of folks interested, there for a sec.
I didn’t make it up. An insurance salesperson with United Healthcare told me that last week.
An apology would be nice since you so rudely jumped on me.
Looking for advice. I only have 3 days to sign up.
I’ll start tomorrow i hope to look at Blue Cross website
It’s my current provider
.
so i’m leaning toward using BC/BS one stop shop.
A cousin told me to skip advantage as the PPO’s are poor in my rural area of SC.
Looking at A,B,D
want vision/hearing dental too
i think i need medigap and a supplement G plan.
anyone done this recently? any advice is welcome, thanks in advance.
My husband and I have Medicare Advantage plans. It’s an HMO and we are quite pleased with it. All of our doctors are on the plan. We don’t have to find our own doctors who take Medicare which is something that people who have a Medigap plan (as I understand it) have to do. We also never have to deal with the government. We only deal with our insurance provider.
We can use out-of-network providers, but we would pay more. I don’t see the need, because we are quite happy with our current options. The only premium we pay is just the regular Medicare premium that comes out of Social Security payments.
If we would need medical care for a minor or major emergency while traveling, we are covered.
We have no co-pay for seeing our primary care provider and pay $40 to see a specialist. That is going down to $35 next year.
We get free memberships to a number of different fitness centers and the YMCA via the Silver Sneakers program, which is part of our Advantage plan.
Each month, we each get $25 worth of various OTC health and personal care items from CVS at no charge.
I wish they would charge at least a small co-pay to see our PCP if it would save the program a little money.
Various vaccinations and tests are also free for us, and they have been good about covering medications that some insurance companies don’t.
If we were to move out of state, we would be able to switch plans even if it weren’t the time of year when people normally can switch.
If you have any other questions, feel free to ask.
Watching
BKMK
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