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VANITY - Medicare Advantage Advice

Posted on 01/24/2018 8:27:59 PM PST by zigmeisterxiv

If there is a different place to post this, please direct me.

My Medicare begins Feb. 2, and I'm figuring to sign up for an advantage plan, but my lazy self hasn't done enough research on this.

Those of you in the know, any advice is appreciated.

65, male, caucasian, 5'7", 180-195 lbs., reside in Florida, no wife or ex-wife, no children, travel to Hawaii, drive to NY and California, spry, no medications, no chronic ailments other than mild sciatica, good mobility, no arthritis, drink daily (after 6 PM), SS + pension + other ~ 3000/month, cash reserves about $150k, no current physician as just moved to Fla, what else?? Max value for minimum cost!

Appointment with Humana peeps next Monday. Do they stink, superior, or same as the others? Most sensible plan for me??

My humble thanks for any insights you can provide ...

Mahalo Hui Loa

zig


TOPICS: Your Opinion/Questions
KEYWORDS: advantage; chat; healthcare; medicare; vanity
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1 posted on 01/24/2018 8:27:59 PM PST by zigmeisterxiv
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To: zigmeisterxiv

Humana is okay, not great.

Hear good things about Blue Cross.

Hear good things about People’s Choice.


2 posted on 01/24/2018 8:37:50 PM PST by TigerClaws
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To: zigmeisterxiv

www.selectquotesenior.com

They’re an insurance broker in Kansas who can help you online or over the phone. There’s no charge to you for their help. There are many brokers you could turn to for help. I’ve heard good things about this one and I have no connection to the firm.


3 posted on 01/24/2018 8:40:24 PM PST by GuySwell
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To: zigmeisterxiv

I went Plan F for supplemental. I use USAA. Nice people and they market Humana .


4 posted on 01/24/2018 8:40:30 PM PST by Kozy (new age haruspex; "Everyone has a plan 'till they get punched in the mouth.")
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To: zigmeisterxiv

Advantage plans own you. They manipulate you and your doctors IMO.

Better straight Medicare and a supplement plan F if you can afford it. Or pay 10% Medicare does not pay yourself.


5 posted on 01/24/2018 8:41:16 PM PST by amihow
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To: zigmeisterxiv

Wife and I have the United AARP @ $25.00 month payment. We have been happy with it


6 posted on 01/24/2018 8:43:24 PM PST by UB355 (Slower traffic keep right)
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To: zigmeisterxiv

Humana is great if you are healthy. Once you have serious issues, they are NOT good. So it’s basically free but if you are not in good condition, go with someone else. Fyi, I’ve heard that from 2 different nurses that I know personally.


7 posted on 01/24/2018 8:48:10 PM PST by stilloftyhenight ("Victorious warriors win first, then go to war." Sun Tzu)
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To: zigmeisterxiv

I had a Blue Cross advantage plan. Changed to Medicare plan G. Cost me about $1000 more per year than the advantage plan, but deductible is only $183. Find a good broker.


8 posted on 01/24/2018 8:48:19 PM PST by TexasKamaAina
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To: zigmeisterxiv

Please try to find a good local retirement planner.

It’s part of their job and, if they’re well reviewed, should be your best source of advice.


9 posted on 01/24/2018 8:51:10 PM PST by Catmom (We're all gonna get the punishment only some of us deserve.)
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To: zigmeisterxiv
I wanted to start a Vanity when it was open enrollment but don't like to do it so I'll ride along on yours if you don't mind.

I've been on AARP United Healthcare for several cycles/years now, usually about Dec 7 thru Dec 7 of the following year, can't remember the one I started with, and it could be worse but they work like HMO's in that you can only go "in-network" with some exceptions. That seriously limits your options.

I can't juggle evaluating all those options because I hate the insurance business and my mind balks, started thinking about Aetna with State Farm but thought maybe Wellmark Blue Cross Blue Shield might be the Cadillac one. But it might cost a lot more.

At this point it seems like the whole system is a ripoff. People who get the best care and options have a policy they had before they go on Medicare and use both.

The last years before I was eligible for Medicare, I had a Wellmark catastrophic plan ($5K/year deductible), and the premiums/month which they insist have to be deducted from my checking account, went up a lot towards the end. It's probably better than what it would be now, can't imagine.

The people who have the best deal are Medicaid recipients. They get better care than I do although doctors can refuse to take them. The only fly in that ointment is you have to be low income duh and, it's subject to uncertainty, but they can seize any assets you might leave behind when you die in order to recoup what they paid out for your care. Or it might just be nursing home at the end.

They get dental, eye, medical, psychological, only limit I've seen with a close relative was something about couldn't have a second pair of prescription eyeglesses.

If I went too far here and threaten to hijack your thread, I'll back off.

10 posted on 01/24/2018 8:54:54 PM PST by Aliska
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To: stilloftyhenight

Yeah, I’m healthy as a horse, forgetting the sciatica.

I’d be looking for a local GP just to have one. The greatest threats to my health are accidents (lightening strike, car accident, fall off bike, etc.)

Whatever I do now can always change next year, right?

thanks

zig


11 posted on 01/24/2018 8:55:33 PM PST by zigmeisterxiv
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To: zigmeisterxiv

Medicare Advantage varies from state to state. In-state plans may vary in premiums ($0 up).

Drug coverage depends on the plan, but drug coverage is mandatory. If you refuse it, you will get an annual penalty. If you enroll later, you will still be assessed the cumulative penalty each year.

Check out available plans and compare them either through your state CMS or Medicare.gov.

Last year, I went with the new AARP United Healthcare because of zero premium and low drug costs. About half-way through the year, UHC dropped my primary care physicial and dozens of area doctors from their network — due to contract negotiations. I dropped them for 2018 and went with another company.


12 posted on 01/24/2018 8:57:31 PM PST by TomGuy
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To: Aliska

No problem dude, ride along.

Already it seems like I should just do nothing and roll with the Medicare basic.

z


13 posted on 01/24/2018 8:59:27 PM PST by zigmeisterxiv
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To: zigmeisterxiv

Now that I’ve retired, I just have Medicare. No drug coverage because now my two meds are cheap generics. Do I really HAVE to get one of these additional plans?

I always said no to AARP but now I’m wondering.


14 posted on 01/24/2018 9:00:35 PM PST by Moonmad27
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To: zigmeisterxiv

Humana sucks.....go with the Kaiser option. They handle Medicare patients much better


15 posted on 01/24/2018 9:01:26 PM PST by Nifster (I see puppy dogs in the clouds)
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To: zigmeisterxiv
Medicare puts out a book - in the back of the book is a list of all the ‘advantage’ plans IN YOUR AREA. AND a list of what their ‘out of pocket’ maximum is - that's the line that matters.

Some of the zero premiums + free silver sneakers gym membership and free trips to the doctors etc etc have yearly ‘out of pocket’ maximums over $10,000. Too risky for me.

I went with a medicare supplemental plan "F". It cost about $200 a month - - haven't paid a dime for any medical care in years... since signing up. If you consider the supplemental plans, DON'T let the agent talk you into anything other than the "F" plan - the rest of the plans are junk. And the "F" plan is only guaranteed for the 3 months AFTER you turn 65. They can turn you down for that plan after that time. The government forces insurance companies to offer it - and they all have to offer the same minimun care - but they can charge different amounts. So call around if that's your choice. What you pay for the EXACT same policy could differ by $50 or more a month depending on company.

16 posted on 01/24/2018 9:01:30 PM PST by GOPJ (Attempted coup by FBI "boudoir KGB types" to overthrow the United States is treason)
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To: zigmeisterxiv

I like Kaiser Permanente


17 posted on 01/24/2018 9:03:10 PM PST by Salvation ("With God all things are possible." Matthew 19:26)
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To: zigmeisterxiv

After your initial year, the typical enrollment period each following year is from Oct 15 to Dec 7. During that time, you can enroll in any plan offered in your area. Note that plans vary even from county to county. The online medicare.gov website is pretty good about listing the plans available in your area.


18 posted on 01/24/2018 9:03:19 PM PST by TomGuy
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To: UB355

AARP supports abortion with your money. I would suggest that people not sign up with them.


19 posted on 01/24/2018 9:04:00 PM PST by Salvation ("With God all things are possible." Matthew 19:26)
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To: zigmeisterxiv

Advantage plans are total traps if you have poor health or unusual conditions. They essentially make money by trying every way possible to minimize providing medical care. You can use ONLY THEIR clinics, THEIR doctors, and THEIR hospitals, even if the nearest ones are 100 miles away. My advice is: don’t do it.

Best bet is a good Plan F and Plan D. Play F’s are standardized, i.e., identical by law, so go with the cheapest one - in our state, AARP’s United Health Care is the cheapest.

Plan D is much more difficult to figure out. I just switched to one this year with a very large formulary, no deductible, doughnut hole coverage etc.

This will all cost you more up front, but you’ll end up with the best medical care in the world, with the option to obtain medical care from almost any facility in the U.S. and almost any doctor in the U.S.


20 posted on 01/24/2018 9:04:54 PM PST by catnipman ( Cat Nipman: Vote Republican in 2012 and only be called racist one more time!)
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