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Beatification Candidate |
MrsTuner will be joining those with Medicare coverage in the next year. Time for research! Parts A & B or Advantage?? Not even sure what the Illinois teacher retirement system has for supplemental or Advantage. Any tips and sites to look at would be appreciated!
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Has Achieved Nirvana |
I have a local guy who set me up with all the Medicare stuff I need and it costs me no more than the basic Medicare subscription. I'm was super skeptical but I've used it a couple of times and so far it works. The key seems to be using Docs who are in network. He works 50 states, maybe give him a call. https://agents.farmers.com/ca/...in/liberato-martinez
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| Beatification Candidate |
Sounds like the Medicare Advantage program, similar to an HMO insurance. We've only had HMO insurance since we've been married, so we're comfortable with that concept.
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| Has Achieved Nirvana |
One trick is to find the policy that covers whatever prescriptions you use. It’s kind of a crap shoot.
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Minor Deity |
I got a book called Medicare For Dummies that was very helpful. In the end I went with a Medicare Advantage option that is a PPO (network). Jf
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Has Achieved Nirvana |
Medicare should cover everything including prescriptions, dental, and vision. You've paid dedicated taxes for it from 18-65, and big X, Y, and Z have their hands all over it, just the same. The only politician running for president, Bernie Sanders, who endorsed comprehensive Medicare-for-All is a fraud. Trump is planning to put Medicare in the general fund and strangle it to death. Biden has said he will not expand Medicare. So, Americans had/ have no choice. It's a real shame. | |||
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Minor Deity |
Medicare Advantage plans are completely inadequate for anyone with complex medical conditions (or who might develop them - meaning everyone.) I could never have had my elaborate spinal surgery without being able to go to an out of state/out of county surgeon. My Medicare policy covered every penny of my surgery and rehab thanks especially to my Medigap supplement - then, thankfully plan F (since discontinued.). What was excluded (and would be for most anyone, was the costly travel expenses, plus hotel etc. costs for my helpers. Beware if you assume your local (in network) doctors will suffice for anything you may come up against! I.e., your Advantage plan.
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| Beatification Candidate |
All good stuff - thanks!
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Junior Member |
Lots to consider. It depends on your health status. Medicare with Plan F, like Amanda, has been wonderful for me. 4 surgeries in 4 years and no extra cost beyond monthly insurance premiums. You are restricted to procedures and treatments that Medicare approves and to medical facilities and doctors that take Medicare. That has not been an issue for me, yet. Being able to cross state lines for care means I can see National Specialists. My cancer is very rare and local doctors are not very experienced with it. Beware...I was perfectly healthy and fine when I turned 65 and started Medicare. It was a financial relief after being a small business owner under Obamacare! My first surgery was at 66 and it's been crazy since. So easy to think excellent health is a given! Good luck! | |||
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| czarina Has Achieved Nirvana  |
So Plan F is no more? My sports doc recently warned me to stay off medicare as long as possible because it is hard to find docs in our area who take it (he does). I have the option of staying on my husband's health plan until he retires. I qualify for Medicare this coming Feb.
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Has Achieved Nirvana |
Plan F is gone as of the beginning of this year. If you were already on it you could keep it, but they are writing no new F policies. Plan G has the same coverage, except you have to pay your own annual deductible (which is just under $200 this year).
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| Has Achieved Nirvana |
As for the original question ... Mr wtg and I have both opted for regular Medicare, a Medigap supplement, and a Part D prescription drug plan. We were looking for maximum flexibility and coverage and we weren't as concerned about monthly premiums. Have to admit we didn't look carefully at Advantage plans. Even though I have zero medical issues, I was always uneasy on the HMO plans I've had for the last few years. I assumed that the Advantage plans make you stay in-network, and I'd prefer to be able to go pretty much anywhere I want/need to should the need arise.
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Minor Deity |
https://www.aarp.org/health/he...dicare-mistakes.html
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| Minor Deity |
I used a local guy too, who explained it very well to me. One thing about Medicare Advantage versus traditional with a supplemental plan is that if you first enroll in a traditional/supplemental there are no health questions. If you go with Advantage and then decide to switch there will be health questions and your supplemental premiums can rise accordingly. Traditional/supplemental also has better out of country coverage. I chose traditional with an N supplemental plan ($20 copay). It was about $40 a month cheaper and sincw I don't have 24 visits a year I come out ahead. The only other disadvantage to an N plan versus a G is that N does not cover charges that exceed the Medicare allowable amount, so you need to use physicians that accept Medicare assignment. Most do, and Medicare has a site where you can find out. https://www.medicare.gov/care-...e=govdelivery#search
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| Has Achieved Nirvana |
Yea, for traditional Medicare there's guaranteed issue for the six months after you turn 65. Depending on how your carrier calculates premiums, getting in early and staying with the same insurer can be an advantage. Related to the guaranteed issue aspect...another thing to consider for folks who might relocate to another state after 65....if you know where you might move, check who issues policies in the destination state and how your premium might change. If you can stay with the same insurer, your cost might be lower. If the insurer in the first state doesn't sell policies in your new state, you're back in the open market with no guaranteed issue, and potentially paying higher premiums. A friend who knew she was moving checked into all the options, and ended up going with a different insurance company than she had initially planned to. The second insurer sold policies in both Illinois and Washington state and she was basically transferring coverage rather than going back into the open market.
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