topic Re: Medicare supplement! How do you choose?? in Wellness

Medicare supplement! How do you choose??

Lovemyboots — Fri, 27 Oct 2017 20:15:41 GMT

Now that it is open enrollment for this I decided to read up on the different supplements to Medicare that are out there. OMG there are so many different ones!! I let an agent in our town help me pick one when I first started 2 yrs ago. Now I have heard mine is going up so much I cannot afford it anymore! I have since talked to so many friends who don't have to pay the premiums I do & really have better coverage!! So I talked to my guy & he said I was locked into the co. I have & to stay with them. I guess I am going to have to just drop ins. I have medicare part B. Why do I need a supplement anyway & what is the difference in PPO, HMO, PFFS, PPO. My gosh is mind boggling!! I am just ready to throw up my hands & quit!! If anyone has can help or give idea's I would love to hear them! Really how do you choose? I don't trust my agent anymore! I have a friend who loves Coventry, one who hates it. One who loves Humana, one who hates it! Haven't heard anyone who was on AARP yet. I was on BlueCross Blue sheild fhe last 2 yrs. Could never get anyone there to answer any questions. Things I thought they covered they would say no. HELP PLease!! Just idea's, suggestions, or anything! There is one policy that is 0 a month. Seriously I am totally at a loss!

Re: Medicare supplement! How do you choose??

software — Fri, 27 Oct 2017 20:25:00 GMT

I'm not on Medicare, I become eligible on 4/1/2018 so I've been doing some homework.

I always thought the enrollment period was for the purpose of changing providers? So why are you locked in, do you know?

In my case, I looked at the plans available, eliminated the ones too expensive and checked to see if my doctor is covered. I wanted to be sure I can still use my hospital & doctor.

There are other people you can talk to besides agents, who get paid by the insurance company. What's available to me in my location is different than you, where you live.

Unless you are on an extremely tight budget, you should sign up for a supplement.

There are some posters here with good experience, I hope they can help.

@Lovemyboots

Re: Medicare supplement! How do you choose??

Mom2Dogs — Fri, 27 Oct 2017 20:35:28 GMT

@Lovemyboots..yes it is confusing.....you can eliminate policies if you do not travel much or are a snow bird.

Not sure why you are locked in to your current policy...unless you have a health condition and that might make a difference, a new policy would look into your health issues and you could be denied on that basis.

My DH is on medicare with a Med. Mutual supplement, roughly $162.00 per month....plus his drug plan. Yearly out of pocket could help you decide which plan to go with....I WOULD NOT be without a supplement, Medicare does not pay 100%....you would be responsible for all that medicare does not pay.

Re: Medicare supplement! How do you choose??

haddon9 — Fri, 27 Oct 2017 20:40:01 GMT

@Lovemyboots Good question! I won't be eligible until May of 2019 but from what I've heard yes it can be very complicated. I've also heard ....and I don't know if this is true or not but once you decide you're stuck with that provider forever! This doesn't make any sense to me! Why can't one change plans if they aren't happy with their plan during the open enrollment period? Is this what you mean by being locked into your plan?

Maybe someone else can address this.

Re: Medicare supplement! How do you choose??

gidgetgh — Fri, 27 Oct 2017 20:39:56 GMT

@Lovemyboots wrote:
Now that it is open enrollment for this I decided to read up on the different supplements to Medicare that are out there. OMG there are so many different ones!! I let an agent in our town help me pick one when I first started 2 yrs ago. Now I have heard mine is going up so much I cannot afford it anymore! I have since talked to so many friends who don't have to pay the premiums I do & really have better coverage!! So I talked to my guy & he said I was locked into the co. I have & to stay with them. I guess I am going to have to just drop ins. I have medicare part B. Why do I need a supplement anyway & what is the difference in PPO, HMO, PFFS, PPO. My gosh is mind boggling!! I am just ready to throw up my hands & quit!! If anyone has can help or give idea's I would love to hear them! Really how do you choose? I don't trust my agent anymore! I have a friend who loves Coventry, one who hates it. One who loves Humana, one who hates it! Haven't heard anyone who was on AARP yet. I was on BlueCross Blue sheild fhe last 2 yrs. Could never get anyone there to answer any questions. Things I thought they covered they would say no. HELP PLease!! Just idea's, suggestions, or anything! There is one policy that is 0 a month. Seriously I am totally at a loss!

@Lovemyboots- I’m not on Medicare yet. My husband is. I just wanted to comment on one statement you made. “Why do I need a supplement anyway”. Are you prepared to pay out of pocket for everything that Medicare doesn’t pay????? Everything. Doctors appointments, blood work, hospitalizations, tests, x rays, MRI, surgery costs, etc. . If you don’t have a supplement, you’ll be responsible for everything that Medicare doesn’t pay. Everything.

A friend of mine changes her her coverage every year. Advantage plans. Whatever she has this year is horrible. Always paying co-pays, hefty amounts on MRI’s And other tests. She had said she couldn’t afford the premiums on a supplement, but she’s paying out the nose for her medical coverage right now. She realizes this and is changing, once again, durng open enrollment.

My husband’s supplement is Blue Cross of Georgia, Plan F. The premium is a little more, but we haven’t paid a dime in medical costs in years. Not one dime. Now, prescriptions are another story, but he has Parkinson’s and had colon cancer in 2015. Surgery, 12 days in the hospital, inpatient rehab center and we paid nothing.

Re: Medicare supplement! How do you choose??

Kachina624 — Fri, 27 Oct 2017 20:44:45 GMT

Don't ever be tempted to drop supplemental coverage. It could wipe out every penny you own if you incurred a big medical bill. I couldn't sleep at night if I didn't have it. It covers what Medicare doesnt pay.

I have several friends with AARP coverage which I believe is through United Health Care. They seem to be very satisfied with it.

Re: Medicare supplement! How do you choose??

ccassaday — Fri, 27 Oct 2017 20:48:47 GMT

A HMO for the most part have to stay within the network. You also may have to get preauthorization for a test or procedure. A PPO allows you to go out of network but there may be a slightly higher cost. A procedure done out of network will have a higher out of pocket max. For instance my advantage plan is a PPO and has a max $5200 in network and $10000 out of network. That is the max I would have to pay in a given year. I had a 300k surgery on my jaw and ended up paying $3300. But with a PPO you do not need prior authorization to go out of network. PPO are best if you can afford it. You may want to see what kind of advantage plans are out there if you can't afford a supplement. But beware there will be a higher cost of out of pocket if you have a procedure or test then if you have a supplement.

Re: Medicare supplement! How do you choose??

dal23 — Fri, 27 Oct 2017 20:51:48 GMT

Do you maybe have a Medigap plan? Those have higher premiums but provide way more coverage. And you only have a short window in which to choose them when you turn 65, so that might explain why you are tied in.

What state are you in? Your state might have an organization that helps people with these decisions. In Pennsylvania, it's called Apprise.

And yes, you most likely need a supplemental plan.

Re: Medicare supplement! How do you choose??

ccassaday — Fri, 27 Oct 2017 20:55:28 GMT

I forgot to mention I have a advantage plan through AARP United and my dad's supplement is also AARP United. I have had no issues with them at all. I also had United under the exchange before being on Medicare and they were excellent.

Re: Medicare supplement! How do you choose??

123SuzyQ123 — Fri, 27 Oct 2017 21:40:28 GMT

I have my supplemental through AARP's UnitedHealthcare. It is about $120 per month. I also chose an additional dental plan which is $33 per month (because I have bridgework that can get very expensive). So, for a total of about $153 per month, I am pretty well covered. I had to call an ambulance to come and take me to the hospital when I had a rapid heartbeat in 2014. My out of pocket for that (which ended up being a two-day hospital stay), ambulance and all, was about $500.

All in all, I've decided to stay another year with this plan since I have not been out any other expenses while covered by this plan!

Re: Medicare supplement! How do you choose??

Mom2Dogs — Fri, 27 Oct 2017 21:50:50 GMT

@haddon9....I do not think you are locked into a plan, but could be wrong.....the one thing that I know would KEEP YOU locked in is a health issue, not sure if you can be denied a new policy but I think you have to qualify and if you have a health issue you might not qualify.

DH has Afib and we were going to switch and the agent said he would probably be deined the NEW policy.

Re: Medicare supplement! How do you choose??

NVmimi — Fri, 27 Oct 2017 22:08:33 GMT

Boy, do I ever feel your pain, lol. I just received the application for a supplemental plan for my husband. We decided to go with Plan G, after much research that's what seems the best for us.

But, I would recommend that you contact your SHIP (State Health Insurance Assistance Program) office. They are a federally funded group of volunteers who are very helpful! No charge for their services either. Look them up online, it will ask your zipcode as every state is different.

Re: Medicare supplement! How do you choose??

haddon9 — Fri, 27 Oct 2017 22:13:17 GMT

@Mom2Dogs wrote:
@haddon9....I do not think you are locked into a plan, but could be wrong.....the one thing that I know would KEEP YOU locked in is a health issue, not sure if you can be denied a new policy but I think you have to qualify and if you have a health issue you might not qualify.
DH has Afib and we were going to switch and the agent said he would probably be deined the NEW policy.

@Mom2Dogs . This makes more sense to me. I was told about being locked in by a neighbor but ill have to do my research when it's time.

Thanks!

Re: Medicare supplement! How do you choose??

fresh kitty — Fri, 27 Oct 2017 22:16:39 GMT

I need to tell you Medicare is 80/20 they pay 80 and you pay 20% of the bill. The medical bills are so high one illness could leave you homeless. My husband had cancer and the treatments were 10,000 a week same with dialysis was about the same. Then surgeries one at 140,000 and another at 120,000. Even with insurance we sold everything we had even a car to pay those bills . When he passed away after a 2 year battle our savings were gone and we worked and saved all our lives for retirement money was gone. So please get the best supplement you can afford and don't forget drugs because one of his prescription was 1300.00 for pneumonia. We pray we don't get sick but it happens to the best of people. My poor husband didn't even get to enjoy his retirement because he died at 68 years old. Then social security gets reduced and only get part of his benifits. So protect yourself please!

Re: Medicare supplement! How do you choose??

Vivian — Fri, 27 Oct 2017 22:20:58 GMT

Being basically lazy, I kept the health insurance I had as an employee and just moved it over as my secondary insurer when I went on Medicare. It was easy and Medicare just forwards my claim to Aetna for them to deny any coverage. I know people who have their secondary insurance through AARP and seem happy with it.

Re: Medicare supplement! How do you choose??

nomless — Fri, 27 Oct 2017 22:29:19 GMT

@Lovemyboots, find a certified Medicare advisor. This person can explain all the options available to you in your state. For now, avoid talking to an insurance agent....such a person is most interested in selling you whatever will give him/her the largest commision so will try to sell you the most expensive product. A certified Medicare advisor will be impartial.

BTW, AARP plans often cost more than similar plans from other companies. Once you decide on a plan, you can compare the cost of the plan across carriers in your area to find the best price.

Re: Medicare supplement! How do you choose??

Lovemyboots — Fri, 27 Oct 2017 22:25:25 GMT

@dal23 wrote:
Do you maybe have a Medigap plan? Those have higher premiums but provide way more coverage. And you only have a short window in which to choose them when you turn 65, so that might explain why you are tied in.

What state are you in? Your state might have an organization that helps people with these decisions. In Pennsylvania, it's called Apprise.

And yes, you most likely need a supplemental plan.

I looked up my plan. It is a Medipak plan. I was told last year that I am locked in! I wasn't told that to begin with or I would have chosen a little better! This guy was recommended to me & I trusted him. I feel the same as everyone is saying. I don't want to end up with a lot of med. bills although right now I have no health issues. I have a cheap RX plan for the last 2 years that I have NEVER used! But I was told I had to take one of those too! I live in Arkansas. The more I read up on it the more I agree I do need something to match up the gap. Just have to try to find one I can afford & still pay my other bills & eat!

Re: Medicare supplement! How do you choose??

Lovemyboots — Fri, 27 Oct 2017 22:32:41 GMT

@123SuzyQ123 wrote:
I have my supplemental through AARP's UnitedHealthcare. It is about $120 per month. I also chose an additional dental plan which is $33 per month (because I have bridgework that can get very expensive). So, for a total of about $153 per month, I am pretty well covered. I had to call an ambulance to come and take me to the hospital when I had a rapid heartbeat in 2014. My out of pocket for that (which ended up being a two-day hospital stay), ambulance and all, was about $500.

All in all, I've decided to stay another year with this plan since I have not been out any other expenses while covered by this plan!

Wow that does sound like a good plan! I have been sitting all day today reading & looking up information. After reading the posts here & some on another post I found, I realize I do need some kind of supplement. Going to call some places on Monday & see if I can get some help. I have never ever had ins. till I got on Medicare. So it is all kind of confusing! If I got sick before I took supplements. I still do that! I still don't go to the dr! I did go in a couple of months ago because everyone kept saying I needed to have an anual physical. When I did, even with my ins. they would only do certain tests because they said my supplement wouldn't cover it unless Medicare wd. Which didn't make sense to me! Since they only pay what medicare covers, then why have it? I think that confused me a lot!

Re: Medicare supplement! How do you choose??

Lovemyboots — Fri, 27 Oct 2017 22:39:39 GMT

@NVmimi wrote:
Boy, do I ever feel your pain, lol. I just received the application for a supplemental plan for my husband. We decided to go with Plan G, after much research that's what seems the best for us.
But, I would recommend that you contact your SHIP (State Health Insurance Assistance Program) office. They are a federally funded group of volunteers who are very helpful! No charge for their services either. Look them up online, it will ask your zipcode as every state is different.

I will look them up! I figure the agent I had was just looking out for himself! I will find someone to call Monday that will be impartial & hopefully will help me make the right decision for me!! I really appreciate all the comments I have gotten on my post. I just figured there had to other people out there that was going thru the same concerns I am having on ins! I so wish the US had insurance like other Canada does. Of course if we did there would probably be something wrong with it too!

Re: Medicare supplement! How do you choose??

Lucky Duck — Sat, 28 Oct 2017 00:03:29 GMT

My husband and I have had our supplement thru Mutual of Omaha for the past 2 years. We were both covered thru my employer until I retired 2 years ago. Now his premium is about $30/month higher than mine. He is 3 years older than me and has health issues. We each have a deductible around $170 this year and do not have co-pays. Each year the premium increases a little.

Last year I checked into changing and found that I would save about $5 a month by going with another insurance company. My husband was not accepted by other insurance companies due to his health. I have not had any problems with Mutual of Omaha so that is the company we stayed with.

We also have Part D for prescriptions. Husband is in the donut hole. Yikes!

In 2017 I had cataract surgeries on both eyes and my husband had back surgery. We had already met our deductibles and have not had to pay anything else (other than premiums). Thank God that we had our supplement!