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.
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