[RKDinOKC]

With my Mom we got her what you are calling an Advantage plan. Basically she was signed up with an insurance that paid for everything, 100% and took what she would have received as medicare as payment. She only gave her insurance card and NOT Medicare. Any care went thru her primary physician. He was the gatekeeper and sent her to all other specialist, services, health care needs.

Her care was the same as when she was using Medicare - with Supplemental insurance to cover what medicare did not. The care was the same, and she did not have to spend the extra money to cover that 20%. And drugs were only $4 each no matter what it was. Saved her to cost of paying for the supplemental insurance.

Had a advisor that helped us shop her current maladies and prescriptions around to get an Advantage plan that would take her.

Have two brothers that went to the VA for their health care after retirement and am sorry to say, I would not wish that on anyone.