Any Advice For Picking A Medicare Supplement Plan?....

[global1]

I'm turning 65 and just got my Medicare Card. I've made a decision that I'm going to go with AARP Part D Drug Coverage as I am only on a few generic meds. I'm in a quandary with respect to a Medicare Supplement Plan. I have made the decision that I will go with a Plan F policy - I just don't know which insurance company to pick. I did the analysis of premiums for a male my age in my zipcode. The policies are basically all the same and seem to only differ on premium charged.

Do I go with the cheapest premium? Do these insurance companies low ball to lure you in and then through the years raise their premiums excessively? If all Plan F's are the same - do any of the insurance companies offer any enticements on top of the Plan F - in order to get you to choose theirs?

What should I be wary of? Or - Am I making too much of this decision.

Need some help here - please!!!!!!

[rwork]

1. I have no idea what to tell you.

My wife and I are on the same plan. MedicareRX part D Preferred plan..$44.80 each month...I take one blood pressure pill daily since about 4 years ago.. No co-pay.
My wife started the same plan dec 2012..She takes 3 pills a day.. So far they have paid nothing on hers. Since they pay nothing on hers, she would be better off going for the $17.00 per month.

Also I am going in the hole on mine. Lisinopril is a generic for $4.00 per prescription. We haven't been able to find out why they pay nothing on hers.

[djean111]

2. You get to change your plan every year, so nothing you choose is set in stone forever.

I have not ever had to take meds for a "condition" (well, birth control pills, waaaay back in the day), so I qualified for a Humana plan that actually pays me back about $99 a month. They won't take anyone with kidney or colon problems on this plan, I think. So far I am happy with them, but I just get routine checkups and suggested tests.

[global1]

3. The Drug Plan or Part D Is Not My Problem - I Need Help On The Medicare Supplement Plan....

I think they call it Medigap - not sure.

The Supplement picks up that which isn't covered by Medicare Part A & B. It has many options under it. The option that I'm probably going to go with is Plan F.

I just don't know which company to choose to purchase this from. Unlike Part D - Drugs - you can't switch this every year is my understanding.

Any recommendations for insurance companies that I should purchase my Medicare Supplement from?

Good experiences/bad experiences.

Companies I should consider. Companies I should avoid.

[brer cat]

4. I am just in my second year, so I don't have a lot of experience.

I selected AARP and also chose Plan F. I had a very expensive year with spine surgery as well as procedures on my hand, plus numerous physician visits. There were no issues at all with AARP picking up the portion that Medicare didn't pay, and there was no increase in my premiums for this year. I am very pleased.

[progree]

38. Choose carefully. You can't switch Medigap plans later without losing your federal guarantee

As you may have read, if you enroll in a Medicare Supplement Plan aka Medigap plan (the two terms are synonymous) within the first 6 months of enrolling in regular Medicare (check the exact wording on this, the 6 month window is CRUCIAL), then you are guaranteed enrollment without any medical questions being asked (except smoker non-smoker) and no extra cost for pre-existing conditions.

AFTER THAT, as long as you renew the same plan, that's OK. But shifting to another plan, even from the same insurer, and you no longer have that guarantee -- You may be charged more depending on your health status, or denied coverage. Thus you are kind of stuff with the first Medigap plan you choose for life (if you want to remain in Medigap and keep those guarantees). Shocking but true.

Some plans are community rated, some are issue age rated, and some are attained age rated. The attained age rated means older people pay more than young people. Community rated means there is no age discrimination.

I very strongly urge you to read everything you can on Medigap and these issues.

Also take advantage of the SHIP program in your state -- these are relatively unbiased counselors (they don't work for a particular insurance company but rather funded by federal and state taxes).

You are absolutely NOT making a big deal out of this crucial crucial decision.

Medicare Advantage is different (the other route to go to fill the Medicare A and B gaps), that's easy to switch. But then you have to deal with networks and nagging.

[progree]

39. Please read Medicare.gov's "Choosing a Medigap Policy"

a free PDF download.

https://www.medicare.gov/Pubs/pdf/02110-Medicare-Medigap.guide.pdf

Some more on the "community rating", "issued age rated" and "attained age rating" stuff (i.e. whether or not you are charged more each year just for getting older, on top of medical inflation of course which is a given) -- I was lucky. In Minnesota ALL plans are community rated (no age discrimination). But in most other states that isn't true, and what's more, I read that it's hard to find out except by calling the plan (and hoping they don't lie to you). Again, you can't switch Medigap plans without losing your federal guarantees so you have to hope and pray you get it right the first time.

[NV Whino]

5. Plan F seems to be the best plan

I have it through Blue Shield. The coverage seems to be the same with various companies. Cost may vary from company to company, though. So settle on Plan F and price it out through two or three companies.

I have plan F and haven't paid anything over premiums through hip replacement, hand surgery, colonoscopy and 5 days in hospital and 7 weeks in nursing home for rehab. It has covered all follow up appointments from all of the above and X-rays and blood work.

I can tell you I would be on a street corner with a tin cup if it weren't for Medicare and Medigap coverage.

[hedda_foil]

7. AARP just gets a commission from United Health, the insurance company.

That's it. They have nothing more to do with the policy, and it's generally one of the most expensive. All the companies offer the exact same coverage, and all of them have to pay their percentage as long as Medicare approves the claim to begin with. Check here: http://www.ehealthinsurance.com/medicare/supplement to compare prices for all the Plan F providers in your area. While you're at it, you might want to check Plan N too. You might be amazed by the variations in price for exactly the same product.

BTW, check the Part D policies too. It's crucial to make sure that your few generics are actually covered at a decent price, and each insurer has a slightly different set of meds, in different coverage tiers, at different prices for each tier. Again, AARP doesn't provide the insurance and they may not provide the best deal for you. Find the best premiums ands then go to each company's website to look up your meds and see what they'll charge you. The difference can cost (or save) you hundreds of dollars.

It's a pain to do this, but it really is worth it.

[twirlybird]

9. Elizabeth Warren and Bernie Sanders...right on!

We'll never dig ourselves out of our graves if we keep voting for one of the Good Cop / Bad Cop parties. Both Republicans and Democrats are playing us all for suckers. The only way to break up and change this corrupt system is to not fall for the same old lies that both major parties use to keep us all imprisoned.

[Turbineguy]

36. My Mother had that plan.

After she died they refused to pay bills incurred well before she died. We got stuck with $4000.00 just for fun.

When the time came for me to make my choice 2 years later, I went elsewhere.

[twirlybird]

8. Why even bother with supplemental health care?

Most of your coverage is taken care of by Medicare. The only time you might need supplemental is when you are so sick that you have to be hospitalized for months. And if you're that sick, you are probably not going to last very much longer anyway. What? You think your kids deserve a large inheritance? The HealthScare people will eventually drain you of any savings you have anyway...whether they do it little bits at a time...like supplemental premiums or by one last big rip off. With supplemental, you guarantee that you will shell out, every year, way more than the original medicare deductible. If you don't get sick that year, and you didn't pay all those supplemental premiums, you are not out the money. You've saved from having to pay supplemental premiums. The supplemental jackals used to accost people in parking lots and pester them by phone and knocking on doors until the government made it illegal. Now they are left with commercials and snail mail advertisements luring you in with free meals and a big sales pitch.

But, hey, yeah, if you are the sickly type then maybe that is for you. Stop pigging out on those Mickey D's and super-sized fries..quit smoking and drinking and maybe you won't need to get suckered in by those supplemental insurance scammers.

What a lot of people may not realize that if they ever served in the military..they qualify for VA. And if they are 65 or older they also have medicare. VA is good, at least, for keeping the cost of medicines down...something like $8.00 per prescription (often for a 120 day supply) if your condition wasn't service connected. If connected..it's free. The doctors may kill you in other ways...like ignoring symptoms and avoiding tests..like CAT Scans..ie: early detection of cancers. But, at least they can save you on medications. I know someone who was in a great deal of pain for a long time and the doctor would never prescribe tests...just pain killers that would eventually not work. His last prescription was for physical therapy "to help him deal with the pain". Shortly after we took him to the VA hospital emergency (twice- and his VA primary care doctor fought it both times), the hospital did the scans and found massive cancer that had spread all through his bones and body. He died a few months later. I thought this was just VA incompetence but I learned of another acquaintance who had regular healthScare insurance and she had a similar experience.

[RebelOne]

10. I just realized that I need a supplemental insurance plan.

I recently had to have cataract surgery in both eyes. Medicare paid for only 80% of the total cost. I had to pay the balance, which was more than $600. So I will be checking out the cost of a supplemental insurance plan.

[pangaia]

29. Exactly. Not getting a supplemental or an advantage plan is plain nuts.

[DebJ]

11. Without a supplemental plan, you better have a stack of cash you can blow.

You might never have had much need of health care, but the older you get, the worse it gets.
The wheels just fall off the bus one by one.............. you never know.

If you've been 'pigging out on Mickey D's and fries, smoking and drinking', for 65 years,
quitting now isn't going to revamp your body. Good advice, and you should, but to think
you can change now and not feel the ramifications is foolish.

20% - 25% is a LOT to pay, and it can add up extremely quickly.

[ellenrr]

13. You are SO right...

I've never been one to go to doctors much, probably 5 times in the last 10 years.

So when I turned 65 I got a medicare advantage plan which was free.

Then, at 67, I was diagnosed with a torn meniscus in knee.
Need physical therapy.
My medicare advantage plan:
1st the place I went had to be in network, which the place I wanted to go, wasn't.
2nd Each visit was going to have a co-pay of $50.00!
That's for 3 visits a week, 4-6 weeks.

I changed plans to medicare supplement, now I can go anywhere and 100% is covered. well worth $178/ month.
(altho I couldn't afford if my father wasn't helping me.)

[PoindexterOglethorpe]

25. Your experience shows the value of being able to change plans.

Most of those in pre-Medicare insurance plans are stuck with whatever their company provides. Those who work for the federal government have the opportunity to change plans every year, which is one important reason why federal government employees don't understand why most private sector employees are so worked up over what sort of health insurance they have. They simply don't understand the lack of flexibility for most people.

But once you hit Medicare, Hooray! You have flexibility. And a good thing.

[Hoyt]

28. That's poor advice unless you are close to qualifying for Medicaid or have tons of money

[greatauntoftriplets]

32. ...

[ellenrr]

12. I went with Plan F too. I think it doesn't matter which company, but I can't say I have

investigated them.
I went with United Health Care/AARP, just cuz that's what someone I knew had.

their customer service SUCKS, but I have no reason to think any other company is any different.

[global1]

14. I Was The Original Poster Here & I Did Investigate All The Companies......

my goal was to pick the best with respect to customer service because if all Plan F's are the same with very little difference to the premiums in one's geographic location - then the only thing that is different is how the companies treat their customers once you buy into a plan.

I called each company and asked them the same series of questions which applied to my situation at the time. Many companies tried to answer the questions but didn't give decent answers. Some companies couldn't be bothered answering questions and one had to go through an agent to purchase their plans. Very few companies had good telephone personnel that had the patience to listen, discuss and answer questions and offer good advice. My thought was I wanted to go with one of these companies because - when I'm needing to use the insurance - these are my first point of contact - so this was critical to me.

The other criteria I used was to review all their websites and see what they had to offer that would make my using their company easier, more understandable, etc.

I finally decided to pick Humana - as they had the best telephone personnel that were pleasant, courteous, informative and helpful. They provided me with the best answers to my questions and even alerted me to a Plan F that was a little more expensive than other companies Plan F's - but also had a Vision and Dental benefit. This Vision and Dental benefit didn't provide the type of coverage of more expensive Vision and Dental plans one could purchase on the open market - but it provided the basics which for me was a plus - as I never had Vision & Dental before I turned 65 with my Blue Cross & Blue Shield plan - which was very costly.

So now I have Medicare Part A & B through the government. The Plan F Supplement with V & D through Humana and Part D through AARP/United Healthcare - which for me was the least expensive plan as I don't use many prescription pharmaceuticals and those that I do are available as generics and very inexpensive.

The cost of my coverage before Medicare (turning 65) was $3700.00 every 2 months - just for me (one person). I am now paying around $425 per month for everything. I saved a ton of money turning 65 and I now have the best coverage I've had in my life.

With respect to my vision - my eyedoctor determined I had a medical necessity and had to get some special contact lenses that are more expensive than those that I have been using. He wrote the necessary letter to the insurance plan - and they now cover the cost of those lenses. This alone has paid for the little extra premium that I pay for that special Humana Plan F.

One thing you have to remember is you don't have to resign oneself to be treated badly by companies. I am a stickler for demanding good customer service and that was my number one criteria for picking Humana. Remember if you settle for less that's what you will get.

My feeling is that people that Medicare age and above and in need of medical services are at a point in life where good customer service is most important. People that are sick don't need to be hassled by the very people/companies that they are paying their premiums to.

More of us need to demand more and better customer service from companies and pick companies based on their ability to deliver. That is the only way they will improve and provide better customer service. That is what distinguishes one company over another. My feeling is - yes - companies are different. We have to ferret out those companies that are better and trade with them over the ones who's customer service SUCKS. That is the only way those SUCKY companies will improve - when they start losing business to those that do their job for the hard earned money you pay.

[ellenrr]

15. I agree with you, but didn't have the patience or energy to do what you did.

good to know that Humana has a basic dental and vision benefit. and better customer service acc. to yr experience. I will change to them when I can make a change.

Sound like you have a good deal.
Thanks for sharing this information.

[ellenrr]

16. along similar lines..

Recently, two vitamin companies that I have bought from for years, have decided that customer service is not important.

1. they have no phone number.

2. an email to them generates a form letter in return.

Even tho I have been very satisfied with their products and their prices, I will not deal with a company that doesn't have a phone #. I would rather pay more and get service. And I told them that. (altho whether any human will ever read my message is doubtful.)

but this appears to be a trend.

[PoindexterOglethorpe]

26. Thank you for posting this.

I have a Humana Advantage plan, which has been excellent for me. I went with them based on a friend's recommendation and talking with them on the phone.

I don't want to imply that other companies aren't equally excellent, but I've mostly had a good experience with Humana.

The other thing to keep in mind is that every year we can change plans, if need be.

[JoeLaValle]

17. Humana supplioment

I'm on disability, with a Humana part D drug plan added.

Anyone here in the Humana for parts A & B? suppliment? ya know supposed to pay for what Medicare doesn't pay?

[ErikJ]

19. Medigap Plan N seems to be the best

Some caller on Thom Hartmann said its the best. Stay away from Medicare Advantage was their advice on TH show.
Comparison of all Medigap plans.
https://www.medicare.gov/supplement-other-insurance/compare-medigap/compare-medigap.html

[PoindexterOglethorpe]

20. A lot depends on where you live and your specific needs.

When I turned 65 I enrolled in an Advantage Plan, which many think isn't a good choice. But so far it's been excellent for me. I pay nothing beyond what Medicare deducts from my Social Security, and I have lots of things covered that wouldn't otherwise be.

But as someone else already pointed out, nothing is written in stone, and you can change every year.

Which is why those who work for the federal government simply don't understand what the big deal is about medical coverage, since they have a bunch of plans to choose from and can change every year, unlike almost everyone in the rest of the working world who are stuck with what their employer offers, with very few, if any, options.

[Hoyt]

31. I like the Advantage Plans to, especially Kaiser if it's available. Some people

have to have a choice of doctors. I'm fine with coordination of care like I saw with Kaiser. Don't have it now because I went back to work. But if I ever retire again (for a few months), that's what I'll get.

[mahatmakanejeeves]

22. MEDICAREFAQ.COM is a commercial site.

It is not associated with the government. It has a product to sell. See https://www.medicarefaq.com/about-us/ :

DISCLAIMER

By completing the contact form on the site or calling the number(s) listed, you will be directed to a licensed Medicare agent who can answer your questions and provide information about Medicare Supplement, Medicare Advantage or Part D insurance plans. Agents are not connected with or endorsed by the U.S. government or the federal Medicare program.

MEDICAREFAQ.COM is located in Florida:

P: [phone] - E: [e-mail] - 2651 McCormick Dr., Clearwater, FL 33759

Run it through Geektools: http://www.geektools.com/whois.php

It is hiding behind its registrar, GoDaddy.com.

This is spam.

ETA: never mind. Someone got it already. Thanks.

[csziggy]

23. No real recommendation as to company

We partly selected Banker's Life since a friend sells it and it seemed as good as any since it is a very high rated company. Plus they don't have networks. Since my husband started on it in January, and I did in July I have found out that they also are MUCH easier to get approval for many things than the BC/CS policy I had under the ACA. My cardiologist recommended an MRI in February but BC/BS didn't approve it until July 28 - by then I had already scheduled on under Banker's Life which took effect July 1 and needed no pre-approval.

One thing to consider - avoid buying through groups such as AARP. While I am OK with AARP as an organization, they change which insurance companies they sell policies through depending on the bids. This means that if you get on one of the types of plans such as F or G that might be cancelled, you cannot be grandfathered in with your policy and might have to switch to a less comprehensive plan.

My husband is on a G plan and I am on a F one - for various reasons it made sense for us to select different ones.

What I do hate are the prescription plans - my husband selected the Walmart one, but they do not do automatic refills. Because of this he almost ran out of his medications. He now gets his regular meds through the mail order pharmacy but can still go to Walmart for newly prescribed meds. he pays about $17 a month for his drug plan.

On the other hand if I continued all my meds my drug policy would have cost over a thousand a month. I have not been sure two of the meds were doing any good and have a stockpile of them, so I left them off and got a Walgreen's plan for $22 a month. If after all the tests I am going through now, the doctors decide I need those meds, I will have to figure out how to afford them next year.

I do miss one of the big advantages of buying through the ACA website - the comparison under the same terms for all the available plans. That would make life so MUCH easier!

[PoindexterOglethorpe]

27. I used to do outpatient registration

at my local hospital, and it always seemed that Blue Cross/Blue Shield was an incredibly difficult company to deal with. There was a time, some fifty years ago, when they were the gold standard of health insurance companies. That day seems to be long gone.

[csziggy]

35. Yes - and they are reluctant and slow to give approval for procedures

I've been going through a long list of tests over the last nine months. Up until July 1 I was covered by BC/BS. One test which was ordered by my doctor in February was scheduled for June at the earliest. After I talked to the receiving clerk at the office about the delay in scheduling, I changed the appointment to the first available in July when it would be covered by Medicare and my supplemental plan. When the clerk heard the company name, she was pleased since she said they never gave any problem approving procedures.

Two weeks after the original scheduled date and after the first of July, I got a letter from BC/BS giving approval for the procedure. A week later I got the procedure done with my shiny new Medicare and supplemental cards, no delay for checking in at all.

[CountAllVotes]

24. Story here

I am on Medicare & have an excellent supplemental plan that covers the extra 20% and has a few perks.

However, I fell ill in 2009 and ended up in the hospital for 3 weeks, ICU, blood transfusions, etc.

For some reason they did not have on my record that I have the supplemental plan.

After my two stays in the hospital (one for 3 weeks; next was abt. 1 week) I received a bill.

It was for about $1100.00 for each hospital event that I would have had to pay if I did not have the supplemental plan that cost $1200/mo. for 2 persons!

It sure made me think!

My former employer is paying for this supplemental plan but if I did not have it, I would have needed $2,200 to pay off a bill of over $500,000.00 for those two surgeries which is really NOT BAD at all!



I now really do not fear too much if I lose some coverage via the supplemental plan down the road. The $2200.00 is all Medicare allowed them to charge me being the hospital thought I had no plan B coverage.

Hmph!

The essence of this story is the prices. No Plan B and $2,200 to cover a huge bill. Cost of supplemental for is over $14,000.00; $2,200 during all of the hospital stays, doctors, etc. Is something wrong here or what?!! Giant !!

When all was said and done, the supplemental coverage paid the $2,200.00 I was being billed for but gee, not a bad deal for almost an entire month in the hospital w/4 transfusions to boot!

[greatauntoftriplets]

30. I've got Plan F.

It covers the most, which doesn't mean everything.

[Delmette2.0]

33. Go with Plan F

I wouldn't go with the cheapest, there might be some expenses that they don't cover just when you need them. Go with as much as you can afford for the enrollment period. You can change at the end of the next year.

I'll be 65 next month, I understand what you have been worrying about. I have also seen some of the medical costs my Mother would have incurred if not for a good Plan F.

Good health and good luck to you.

[WhiteTara]

34. All suplemental plans are required to pay

the co-pay of Medicare B. Some advantage plans offer a minimal dental plan and prescription plan. Depending on where you live you can qualify for a low premium plan or no premium plan. They have co-pays for everything but do give gym memberships and eye exams once a year. The maximum out of pocket runs a few thousand, so you have to weigh the cost of a premium for a regular medicare supplemental (higher premium but full copay of all services) or much lower premium and different services coupled with copays.

How healthy are you? Which is better as far as max out of pocket versus premiums per year.

All companies (at least until now) are required to follow medicare laws. One thing that is kind of tricky is that you need to always ask if the medical provider "accepts medicare assignment." If they don't you might be liable for a surcharge.

I personally have had excellent luck with medicare and regular supplement as well as the providers. I'm getting ready to replace my hip and become bionic. It will cost me the price of my monthly premium.

[SharonClark]

37. I recently signed up for plan G

I consulted with a SHIP counselor, read all the literature sent me, went to a Get Ready for Medicare workshop, and then talked with an independent insurance agent who specializes in Medicare supplemental insurance. I was told you marry your supplemental insurance company but are only dating your drug plan. Meaning, if you change insurance companies, you will have to go thru underwriting so be fairly certain when you pick an insurance company. Your drug supplement, plan D, you can change yearly if you wish. Hope this helps.