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.
No problem dude, ride along.
Already it seems like I should just do nothing and roll with the Medicare basic.
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“but they can seize any assets you might leave behind when you die in order to recoup what they paid out for your care.”
That can be avoided by trusts.
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Every sane person hates the insurance business. Good post overall.