Medicare Choices

[icemann427]

Since I'll be 65 in a couple of months, my open enrollment period is nigh. Looking at all the different literature sent to me has my head spinning and I don't have a clue what to choose. I know there are a number of guys around this forum that are about my age or older, and as such, I was wondering what and who's coverage(s) you have gone with, and possibly, why?

Thank you!

[pwd72s]

You didn't mention your location. One thing that caused Cindy & I to change plans was that the original plan we selected forced us to drive 40 miles one way for exams & treatments. Switched to one allowing us to stay home.

[wdfifteen]

The cost of available plans vary by state, so I can't give you any specific information.

The basic Medicare is hospitalization insurance, almost like catastrophic insurance. It doesn't cover doctor visits and the care 99% of us use. You need a supplemental plan to cover non-hospital medical expenses unless you want to go out of pocket on everything. At age 65 that's probably not a good idea.

Generally Medicare allows insurance companies to sell 10 specific supplemental plans. F,G, and N are the best ones for most people, but you have to compare your needs with the plans shown here.

https://www.medicare.gov/supplement-other-insurance/compare-medigap/compare-medigap.html

Pay attention to what is and is not covered, Medicare has some bizarre rules about what they will cover. I'm fairly healthy, but I use a CPAP machine. I have a high deductible plan F that costs about $135/month. Medicare covers he CPAP machine and replacement parts, but doesn't cover other common things.

You might want to talk to www.unitedmedicareadvisors.com. They seemed the least pushy about selling me something instead of educating me when I was learning about Medicare. I ended up talking to my company's health insurance agent, who helped me see the trees in the forest.

You'll also want Part D, which is drug insurance. I have Silverscript, which costs about $17 a month. The same pills that cost my wife $90/month cost me $3-$4.

[RKDinOKC]

Best option for my Mom was enroll her in Generations Health Care. It takes the place of both Medicare and Gap insurance. Took over her Medicare to cover it's premiums and payouts. She paid nothing for anything in network and only a small copayment for drugs. It was nice only having one set of insurance records to go over instead of medicare and the gap stuff and then having to worry about what did or didn't get covered. Generations just took care of it all. Her Medicare paid for Generations.

[icemann427]

Sorry, I did forget to mention we live in Arizona. Probably going to live in Phoenix.

And, thank you for the input, so far!

[John Rogers]

Are you retired or disabled military? If so the Tri-Care for Life will be the answer? If not the I would suggest the plans AARP offers making sure they cover any issues you and your wife have now, can have specialists available, don't make you have to get a long wait for a referral or even do not require a referral at all. I would say cost should be near the last on your list. I am lucky as I am a retired Navy man with disability and Tri-Care for life is worth it's weight in gold!

[wdfifteen]

Originally Posted by RKDinOKC

Best option for my Mom was enroll her in Generations Health Care. It takes the place of both Medicare and Gap insurance. Took over her Medicare to cover it's premiums and payouts. She paid nothing for anything in network and only a small copayment for drugs. It was nice only having one set of insurance records to go over instead of medicare and the gap stuff and then having to worry about what did or didn't get covered. Generations just took care of it all. Her Medicare paid for Generations.

This is Medicare Part C. It does simplify things, but it's the most expensive way to go AFIK.

[wdfifteen]

Pay attention to how you pay your income taxes. DON'T do what Mrs WD and I did last year. We filed as married filing separately due to her wrapping up her business. That automatically put us in the highest Medicare cost bracket. It cost us $400+ per month. Medicare is slowly paying it back on some schedule that I cannot figure out. I'm getting credits of $56, $89, $226 etc. It seems to be random.

[icemann427]

Thank you, gentlemen!!

[BeyGon]

I have a supplemental for me and my wife, it isn't AARP and never will be. I would look at I think it's SCAN, I don't have the either but if I didn't have what I have I would look at it.

[JackDidley]

Originally Posted by John Rogers

Are you retired or disabled military? If so the Tri-Care for Life will be the answer? If not the I would suggest the plans AARP offers making sure they cover any issues you and your wife have now, can have specialists available, don't make you have to get a long wait for a referral or even do not require a referral at all. I would say cost should be near the last on your list. I am lucky as I am a retired Navy man with disability and Tri-Care for life is worth it's weight in gold!

I signed up with ARRP just because there is a ARRP backed supplement plan that gives me what I need for a good price. I am in Indiana and it does make a difference state by state. I will make the call next week to make it final.

[74-911]

Wife and I both have our Medigap supplemental (Plan F) through USAA. As for Part D (which we signed up for also using USAA), I have Walmart Rx PLan through Humana and Wife has Part D through Aetna. If you are on any medications, be sure the part D covers them as not all Part D plans are alike and it can make a big difference in how much you pay for your prescriptions.

Both happy with the plans we have. We have had no issues at all with Dr.s not accepting Medicare.

[Sunroof]

I have been on Medicare for several years here in Georgia. Keep it simple and do your research! I do not recommend going to one of these online brokers who will hound you and represent's several Medicare providers. Its HMO versus PPO actually. If you live in a large city that provides these large Medical Conglomerates like Piedmont Healthcare, or Wellstar, etc., its not a bad idea to get into one of these systems through a Medicare Plan. I use Human HMO Gold Plus, that does not have any premium, pays 100% of my Tier One prescription drugs (Humana Pharmacy), lets me select from a huge range of Primary Care Physicians and Specialists, has a number of clinics, hospitals and special service centers and..............free vision care, silver sneakers (free membership to any one of the exercise facilities), and on and on. If you are not on Social Security, you will be billed monthly by Medicare and for the supplemental insurance, so keep it simple if you are currently healthy. Everyone wants you! Go with what you specifically need right now as you can change every year to a new program if you are not happy, BUT call first to see if they are taking Medicare this year. Some of the large conglomerates were dropped by Medicare ( I heard it was about billing issues). Also, go online and look at the reviews for each of these providers. Its surprising what patients say regarding quality of service, waiting times, communications, etc. Again, keep it simple.

Good luck
Bob

[charlesbahn]

Medicare part B sign up as soon as you are eligible- avoid HMO or managed plans unless that is all you can afford (doctor/hospital restrictions etc)

Medigap coverage- Plan F (esp if you travel abroad since others don't provide coverage) USAA and AARP,

Medicare part D (drug coverage)- again USAA and AARP are good choices.