Posted on 10/23/2023 8:59:39 AM PDT by LouAvul
I'm using Mutual of Omaha as my supplement but they're raising their rates. It's a good policy but, do any of you know of a company with similar coverage at a better price? What's your experience in all of this?
thnx
We have United Healthcare. So far so good.
The best plan depends a lot on your location. Medicare probably already mailed you a booklet listing all your local plans, or you can find them online. I use a Medicare Advantage plan and like it, but everyone is different.
Aetna Medicare Advantage here.
You probably need to do a search on the medicare website. Policies vary from state and even from county to county in some areas.
My Aetna is $0 for 90-day generics, $0 primary care doctor co-pay, next year $3500 dental and $135/qr OTC supplements and supplies, etc.
United......................
With Medicare supplement you can expect annual increases. My understanding is that if you switch plans you will be subject to underwriting. It probably will be cheaper to stay where you are, if the company is solid.
Looking forward to other opinions.
All qualified Medicare supplemental policies are identical in coverage by law.
We decided to get the United policy through aarp since they are a marketing juggernaut and continually bring in younger members.
I noted their increases stay small and I think this is why.
We had to join aarp one time for $8 to qualify.
I suspect aarp spent more than that on us in junk mail costs.
Once into the United policy you do not have to be a member of aarp, so we never renewed, since we don’t like aarp.
This was our choice and it worked great. Ymmv.
Next year at this time I will be signing up for Medicare, I’ve started the research now, for years as an IT Contractor, I had to have my own Health Insurance, during this time, I also had a Health Savings Account (HSA), I was concerned about what would happen to the $55-60k I have in the account, I found out a lot of my out of pocket expenses can be paid out of the HSA, I just can’t contribute anymore once I go on Social Security.
As others here have pointed out, what is available to you varies by state. For example, here in KY there are variations on 2 coverages: one from Anthem and one from Humana. We can choose between HMO-type arrangements or something called PPA. I have Anthem’s Medi-Blue Plus, which is an HMO. My wife has Humana.
We decided based on our health concerns. In my case Anthem offered the best coverage: most widely accepted (my own MD and his wife have it), most of my generic drugs are $0, and the cost is just my basic Medicare Premium.
There is no easy shortcut to figuring this stuff out. Do your research. I happen to belong to the conservative alternative to AARP, called AMAC. One of the benefits of that membership is access to experienced advisors who can walk you through the alternatives in your state. It made it much less intimidating and stressful.
Check out Humana for Part D
Not quite... You can’t CONTRIBUTE any more to the HSA WHEN you start Medicare! You might consider using a spouse’s coverage and putting off Medicare until normal Retirement at 67 and you can contribute and compound Soc Sec $$$s at 8% + COLA each year until you do start it! As a Medicare Broker for a decade, private message me if you have any questions or want help from a Certified CFP and AIF who concentrates on Medicare after 30 years in financial services... ymmv
... PLEASE STOP funding the lefties at AARP! They are marxist far left funders of everything Demoncrat.... Find a local experienced (6+ years) Broker non-captive Licensed LOCAL agent who knows the Advantage marketplace in your county/zip codes! Even the good national firms don’t know the local level ins & outs of who and which hospitals, clinics etc will give you good coverage! I have done Medicare coverage for over a decade and any 800# group is NOT the place to write your insurance business... there are dedicated expert Agents in every county and find a conservative one to support.... just my $0.02 ...
“”Aetna Medicare Advantage here.””
Same here....shop every year but always stay with Aetna..My husband had a prolonged illness before he passed away and I had no complaints about the care or expenses - EXCEPT what was due to hospice incompetence!!!!!! I could write a book about hospice!!!
I know I’m going to get tired of seeing old Joe Namath from now until 12/7....surprised he’s still around but I am and he’s a few years younger so shouldn’t be surprised! And that OLD Martha with the dopey glasses on - WHY on earth would anyone stay tuned to her long enough to find out what the commercial is selling! A good way to drive away business.
I’d recommend a Medicare broker like Marvin Musick https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=marvinmusick
Another one is Boomer Benefits => https://boomerbenefits.com
You could also contacts your state’s SHIP (State Health Insurance Program) for advice.
Bookmark
” I use a Medicare Advantage plan and like it, but everyone is different.”
How does it work when you travel to a different part of the country? Do you need to seek out facilities run by the same outfit? (Other than true emergencies).
Switch to Aetna Medicare advantage or United Health which is similar. Both good. I’ve got Aetna but was on United Health previously.
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