Any advice on choosing between Medicare Supplemental plans vs Medicare Advantage?

[Are_grits_groceries]

I know people on DU have advice. lol

[mitch96]

1. Here in Florida we have people to help you decide

The program is called SHIP. It's a free assistance program to help you find what you need.. A non profit..

http://www.seniorsresourceguide.com/directories/National/SHIP/

m

[Are_grits_groceries]

2. I tried that for my area in SC.

I keep getting a message to leave my info. Nooooobody calls.
But "It's a great day in South Carolina.&quot state workers have to use that phrase when answering the phone)

[still_one]

3. That is a tough one, and part of it depends on needs and affordability. If you want the most

flexibility, where choice is more important than cost than a Supplemental Plan F or G might be the way to go. Supplemental plans F and G are the most expensive premiums, but cover the most services with less out of pocket expense, and allow greater flexibility where you can go for treatment. Lower letter supplemental plans will be less expensive, have more out of pocket expenses, and may limit where you can go for treatment.

An advantage plan is another consideration. It usually bundles services, with little to none out of pocket expenses, but usually limits where you can go.

Some advantage plans I believe also include glasses, dental, and drugs.

If you go with a standard meds-gap plan(supplemental plan), you would need to purchase Part D, prescription plan separately, which might be included as part of an advantage plan.

You really need to give it a lot of consideration, especially regarding what your comfort level and affordability criteria are

I know some folks here do not care for AARP, and AARP does their supplemental plans through United Healthcare, but you can get a wealth of information through them. You don't have to sign up with the AARP supplemental plans if you don't want to.

There are other sources for information also

All the best

[cyclonefence]

7. We had a hell of a time

My husband still works part-time and he asked his bookkeeper to figure out the best supplement for us. We ended up with a BC/BS HMO which cost something like $300/mo. That year we ended up paying $30,000 out of pocket for medical expenses--we both have chronic illnesses and see lots of specialists. Additionally I'm a two-time cancer survivor and have ongoing costs associated with that.

I started investigating online to see if I could find a better policy for us, or one for each of us. It was immensely frustrating; no one would give me the information I needed unless I gave them my phone number or address. I didn't want a sales presentation; I wanted specific information about copays and covered drugs.

To make things more difficult, where you live makes a difference in which plans you are eligible for. Each state is different, so I was not only looking for information about costs and coverage, but also for specific information for PA.

Finally, I started looking for independent, fee-only Medicare advisors. We gritted our teeth and paid $600 to a company that had no interest in pushing any plan, and we are very pleased. We are both on an Aetna PPO, which means no referrals (which were a minor nuisance); our premiums are much lower; no copay for primary care providers and $25 instead of $40 for specialists. Our drug copays are lower, too. Last year our out-of-pocket expenses were under $20,000.

The woman we worked with sent us printouts comparing the three best choices for us (and our old policy for comparison) and then was available by phone for several weeks afterward as we had questions. She was very patient and knowledgable, and she was happy to research concerns we had.

It is important, if you decide to hire an advisor, that you find someone who is fee-only. That means they are paid only by you, not by any insurance company.

[HAB911]

4. I chose supplemental

we plan on traveling extensively and supps are accepted by anyone that accepts medicare, while advantage plans are equivalent to an HMO, limited to networks.

[mnhtnbb]

5. Good luck! Seriously.

Navigating the choices and costs is like putting together a jigsaw puzzle.

I admit to giving up entirely. My husband's BCBS Federal plan morphed in to becoming our Medicare
Supplemental when we each became old enough for Medicare. But between us we have probably
spent > $10,000. on dental work in the last year, since dental is not covered on our supplemental.
All of my dental was replacing old fillings and a crown. He's had to have a root canal and crown.

On the other hand, I was happy to be able to choose my own ortho surgeon and hospital for the knee replacement
I just had, and not be limited to a panel or told where I had to go if I'd been under a Medicare Advantage plan.

It might make a difference if you have funds available for unexpected dental work, or think you might be in need
of elective surgeries (like joint replacement) before long.

[SharonClark]

6. I just signed up for my supplemental last week.

What worked for me: I went to a "Welcome to Medicare" seminar, met with a volunteer counselor (from the state seniors program), read all the material, and talked to a few friends whose opinions I value (two are 'senior' counselors) as to why they selected the plans they did. The independent agent I used has 30 years experience and specializes in Medicare supplemental insurance plans. He had helpful comparison charts and recommended the same drug plan I was leaning toward. I ended up with a supplemental plan with a company I had not considered before. I did not purchase vision or dental insurance because they were not cost effective.

When I told the insurance agent that I was relieved to make the decision, he replied that everyone says that to him.

My recommendation is 1) check if your state has a 'senior' program, 2) read the material offered, and 3) find a experienced independent agent.

I did not select Medicare Advantage because of the HMO-like restrictions and I travel often.

Hope this helps.

[Tanuki]

8. I am a healthcare provider and when the time comes I will choose traditional Medicare

with a supplemental. Like you, I would be concerned about the restricted provider panels in the Advantage plans, and I have also seen many cases where inpatients were forced out of the hospital before the treating team felt they were ready because the Advantage plan would not pay for as many days as standard Medicare. This varies from plan to plan, and some are worse than others. I also know of some that skimp on compensation for inpatient consult services. Having seen both professionally, and having been very satisfied with my late mother's coverage via standard Medicare + supplementary, it will be an easy choice for me.

[Hieronymus]

9. Medicare Advantage works great for me [knock on wood].

[trof]

10. IIRC Advantage has VERY skinny benefits if you have to be hospitalized.

[Nanjeanne]

11. I would think twice before getting an advantage plan. If the cost outweighs the

risks then of course get one. But we are very happy we chose a supplemental Plan N when we signed up. At the time, we were fairly healthy but wanted coverage in any state for doctors or hospitals where Medicare is accepted. And we wanted overseas coverage since we travel.

not long after, my husband was diagnosed with multiple myeloma and we were able to go to Dana Farber and see one of the top specialists in the country. He has been able to see any doctor and if we hadn't gotten the plan when we did, we would never be able to get it now. We have a dear friend who was very happy with her Advantage plan -- until she was just diagnosed with a brain tumor and could not see top doctors at Cornell or Columbia because they didn't take her plan. And while she is being treated in NY at Sinai, she doesn't have the flexibility to get second opinions at any doctor she wants or visit any hospital for clinical trials etc. the difference between our experience with a supplemental and her with Advantage plan is staggering. Yes we pay more. But for us it's really worth it. Unfortunately in this country-- you have to make the right choice before you get sick. Because you can't make it after. And that's why I hate the word "choice" that both Rs and Ds use when it comes to healthcare. All people really want is the choice to get well.

[Patterson]

12. My doctor told me NOT to get the Advantage plan

He said if he had to refer me to a specialist, it was hard to find one who accepted the Advantage plan. He said there were other reasons, but that trumped everything.

[UTUSN]

13. Our group Advantage plan covers all.

[pnwmom]

14. My husband's decision will be extremely easy.

He will be eligible for Medicare before I'll be. If he takes his company's supplemental insurance, then I'll continue to be covered by his insurance the same as I have been all along. If he doesn't, then I'll lose my coverage.