topic Looking For a Supplement Plan to Go With Part A And B in Community Chat

Looking For a Supplement Plan to Go With Part A And B

YouGoGirl1 — Sat, 08 Oct 2022 16:28:57 GMT

I was looking at Humana, says they offer plans to

help with co-pays and deductables. Would like your

input into different plans. Thanks In Advance

Re: Looking For a Supplement Plan to Go With Part A And B

gertrudecloset — Sat, 08 Oct 2022 16:47:45 GMT

Why do people keep coming here to ask for information that is specific to their own area? You need to go to the Medicare.gov website and put your information in and weigh your options there. That really is the best course of action for you @YouGoGirl1 .

I'm telling you this because responses you get might not be from people who live where you live or have your medical concerns. This is all area specific.

Re: Looking For a Supplement Plan to Go With Part A And B

quilter61 — Sat, 08 Oct 2022 16:58:33 GMT

My suggestion is to call an insurance broker in your area. I have one that I use every year. I give them all my info - doctors, prescriptions and they find the best plan for me. As a previous poster stated every area of the country is different and offers different plans.

Re: Looking For a Supplement Plan to Go With Part A And B

geezerette — Sat, 08 Oct 2022 17:06:10 GMT

In addition to what the previous posters have recommended, I would add that most plans that "help to pay with co-pays and deductibles" are Advantage plans. Which are different from MediGap supplemental plans and are even more area-specific.

Re: Looking For a Supplement Plan to Go With Part A And B

shoesnbags — Sat, 08 Oct 2022 17:10:54 GMT

@YouGoGirl1

The previous posters have all given you good advice. There is no generalized best answer to your question. What is best for you depends on your state and your medical conditions. Even though Medicare is a federal program, the supplements and advantage plans vary by state. I find that strange, but it is what it is.

Re: Looking For a Supplement Plan to Go With Part A And B

millieshops — Sat, 08 Oct 2022 17:15:45 GMT

@YouGoGirl1 I agree fully with the advice you got to look for information specific to your state, and as you do that I would add you need to make a good estimate of what you expect to need the supplement to cover during the year you are likely to have it.

I know we can't predict with a whole lot of accuracy what we will need, so do build in a measure for the unexpected and try to make certain you are buying as much as you most likely will need without paying for far more than you are likely to use.

Re: Looking For a Supplement Plan to Go With Part A And B

Mz iMac — Sat, 08 Oct 2022 17:28:44 GMT

@YouGoGirl1 In addition to what everyone else has already posted, you need to read/review your "Medicare & You 2023" booklet which is specific to your state. Inside you will find all the plans that are specific to your State and/or County you live in.

If you live in N.J., not only are the plans "State" specific, quite a few are "County" specific as well.

Re: Looking For a Supplement Plan to Go With Part A And B

Mindy D — Sat, 08 Oct 2022 19:36:46 GMT

@YouGoGirl1 wrote:
I was looking at Humana, says they offer plans to
help with co-pays and deductables. Would like your
input into different plans. Thanks In Advance

@YouGoGirl1

The Humana website has a chart which says which plans will help with copays and/or deductibles. Go to their website , key into the seach Humana Medicare Supplement Insurance plans that help pay for copays or deductibles to see the chart.

Besides the chart, you can put in your zip code and see more details about their individual plans. You can also search google and put in Humana Explore Medicare Supplement Plans. This will take you to a link to the website page too.

Afterwards, try doing the same thing with some other big insurance companies.

Re: Looking For a Supplement Plan to Go With Part A And B

gertrudecloset — Sat, 08 Oct 2022 17:57:57 GMT

@YouGoGirl1 wrote:
I was looking at Humana, says they offer plans to
help with co-pays and deductables. Would like your
input into different plans. Thanks In Advance

It will be less time consuming if you go straight to Medicare.gov rather than an individual insurance company's website. Medicare.gov has them ALL for your area. Just input area specific information and anything else they ask you to ~ to get your results.

Medicare.gov should be the first and only place you will need to go for finding what you need. You can even enroll in all of your plans on Medicare.gov. Secure website.

Re: Looking For a Supplement Plan to Go With Part A And B

Carmie — Mon, 10 Oct 2022 03:06:40 GMT

Medicare supplements are standardised and do not depend on where you live. Prices differ between different insurance companies for the same product.

With these supplemental policies, Medicare will always be primary. Medicare does not pay everything at 100%.

Supplements will pick up deductibles and coinsurance Medicare didn't pay.

Most of the supplements currently sold today to new members will not pay the Medicare part B deductible, but will pay the Medicare A inpatient deductible and the 20% Part B coinsurance.

Be sure to choose the plan you wish to have for your lifetime. It is very complicated and expensive to change supplements. It is easy to switch to an Advantage Plan, but next to impossible to switch back to a Supplement.

RX coverage must be purchased separately. Do not pass up on this coverage . You will be penalized with higher rates if you do. RX coverage can be changed every year during the open enrollment period if you wish.

You didn't ask about Medicare Advantage plans....but I am letting you know that these plans are specific to your location and once you choose them you can go back to Traditional Medicare, but won't be able to purchase a supplement except for extreme cases. Choose wisely.

I would advise you to talk to a SHINE or SHIP volunteer in your state. The service is free and worthwhile.

Re: Looking For a Supplement Plan to Go With Part A And B

gertrudecloset — Sat, 08 Oct 2022 18:09:47 GMT

@Carmie wrote:
Medicare supplements are standardised and do not depend on where you live. Prices differ between different insurance companies for the same product.

With these supplemental policies, Medicare will always be primary. Medicare does not pay everything at 100%.

Supplements will pick up deductibles and coinsurance Medicare didn't pay.

Most of the supplements currently sold today to new members will not pay the Medicare part B deductible, but will pay the Medicare A inpatient deductible and the 20% Part B coinsurance.

Plan F and G are the most popular and are good policies. Be sure to choose the plan you wish to have for your lifetime. It is very complicated and expensive to change supplements. It is easy to switch to an Advantage Plan, but next to impossible to switch back to a Supplement.

RX coverage must be purchased separately. Do not pass up on this coverage . You will be penalized with higher rates if you do. RX coverage can be changed every year during the open enrollment period if you wish.

You didn't ask about Medicare Advantage plans....but I am letting you know that these plans are specific to your location and once you choose them you can go back to Traditional Medicare, but won't be able to purchase a supplement except for extreme cases. Choose wisely.

I would advise you to talk to a SHINE or SHIP volunteer in your state. The service is free and worthwhile.

The above is incorrect.

Medicare Supplements are not underwritten in every Market. So that is incorrect. Company A may underwrite in one state, while the same company may not offer a Supplement Plan in the neighboring State. They are Insurance Companies and choose to do business where they please. No different from other Insurance Companies like for your Car or Home. They choose where to underwrite.

It is not "standardized" and one should seek guidance DIRECTLY from the Medicare.gov website for beginning their search. It is area, age, sex, specific.

All ten plans are the same for any company who chooses to underwrite them all. Not all Insurance Companies will offer each Supplement Lettered Plan either.

Re: Looking For a Supplement Plan to Go With Part A And B

Carmie — Sat, 08 Oct 2022 18:13:06 GMT

@gertrudecloset Please STOP!!!!!!

You do this every year to me.

I have worked in the insurance industry for over 20 years and this is my area of expertise.

I also volunteer for SHIP in my state. ( new this year) I train volunteers and work with the public.

And BTW. Some plans are no longer sold to new enrollees...so there are no longer 10 plans to choose from.

Re: Looking For a Supplement Plan to Go With Part A And B

gertrudecloset — Sat, 08 Oct 2022 18:17:17 GMT

@Carmie wrote:
@gertrudecloset Please STOP!!!!!!

You do this every year to me.

I have worked in the insurance industry for over 20 years and this is my area of expertise.

I also volunteer for SHIP in my state. ( new this year) I train volunteers and work with the public.

And BTW. Some plans are no longer sold to new enrollees...so there are no longer 10 plans to choose from.

Right. You haven't been here in over a year. Where you been? Busy? What I and others stated is accurate @Carmie don't call me again, please.

This week two people who haven't been here in over a year have come out of the woodworks to make waves. "I" get it....I know what time it is.

Re: Looking For a Supplement Plan to Go With Part A And B

pieman — Sat, 08 Oct 2022 19:09:53 GMT

@gertrudecloset

Well, maybe she just wanted to get some ideas from others who may have that insurance, as far as them being easy to deal with and so on.

You know like asking info about certain doctors or hospitals,,

I do hope your day gets better, doesn't sound too good right now.

Re: Looking For a Supplement Plan to Go With Part A And B

meem120 — Sat, 08 Oct 2022 19:14:42 GMT

@YouGoGirl1

Carmie knows what she's talking about.

Re: Looking For a Supplement Plan to Go With Part A And B

YouGoGirl1 — Sat, 08 Oct 2022 19:27:11 GMT

Yes, I just wanted to get general input, I know different

States have different plans. Was just wondering about

what people are happy with, or not. Talking to my guy

on Monday. Thanks Everyone.

Re: Looking For a Supplement Plan to Go With Part A And B

gertrudecloset — Sat, 08 Oct 2022 19:41:19 GMT

@pieman wrote:
@gertrudecloset
Well, maybe she just wanted to get some ideas from others who may have that insurance, as far as them being easy to deal with and so on.
You know like asking info about certain doctors or hospitals,,

I do hope your day gets better, doesn't sound too good right now.

Yeah, to add to the confusion that already exists with everything regarding Medicare @pieman . It can be overwhelming. Why not simplify it. You can't do that by asking every john and jane doe unless you know they live in your community.

Re: Looking For a Supplement Plan to Go With Part A And B

cantdrive55 — Sun, 09 Oct 2022 03:20:46 GMT

@YouGoGirl1,

I am happy to help by relating my experience in what is a difficult & sometimes overwhelming process.

I recommend boomerbenefitsdotcom as an excellent resource and highly regarded company who can help you navigate the process.

bbcom does not do business in all states, though, including mine, New York. Nevertheless, the reps were very helpful and the website consolidated the pertinent information I had spent untold hours researching in a very readable and complete guide.

The letter of the plan, say F or G, has the same benefits regardless of what company you purchase it from. Armed with all this knowledge, I went to my state's website, where I could enter my zip code and the letter of the plans I was interested in and see a comparison of pricing for each company that offered that plan.

I was very fortunate to know a CFO of a health system who said to call when I was ready to begin the process. I did, and her advice was to buy the best insurance I could afford and not to purchase a Medicare Advantage plan.

I started with Plan F, the best plan, and never saw a bill. Plan F covers everything., even the $220.00 (approximately) Medicare Part B deductible. When the plan went up & up, my insurance agent advised me to switch to Plan G, which has all the same benefits, except you have to pay the Medicare Part B deductible. However, the monthly savings in the premium costs far outweighed that deductible cost.

Companies make the Medicare Advantage plans sound good, but those plans lock you into that company's network, and many doctors & specialists do not participate. That was a deal breaker for me, but everyone is different.

My experience has been AARP plans offered through United Health Care are often the most competitive price. The customer service is excellent. The monthly statement of claims & payments are easily understood and promptly handled.

You must purchase the prescription plan, Part D, separately and at age 65 to avoid penalties & problems. Your choice will depend on the number & type of prescription drugs you take.

Lastly, be advised insurance agents and brokers may not handle all the companies offering Supplemental Plans or Part D Plans, and may not be forthcoming regarding that.

I hope this helps you & wish you the best!

Re: Looking For a Supplement Plan to Go With Part A And B

gertrudecloset — Sat, 08 Oct 2022 19:47:44 GMT

@YouGoGirl1 wrote:
Yes, I just wanted to get general input, I know different
States have different plans. Was just wondering about
what people are happy with, or not. Talking to my guy
on Monday. Thanks Everyone.

@YouGoGirl1 Since this is a personal matter (much more so than a pair of shoes or which color your lipstick should be), it is best to minimize the wide array of confusing information by going to your source. Trusted and valid source.

Medicare is a complicated topic that people already have trouble with. Why add to it with asking generalized questions, when the subject matter can't be "generalized" based on your health and in what state you live in.

I really gave you the simplest advice to ward off confusion. Nothing more, nothing less. Don't concern yourself with what others have. You may find it's not available to you. Zero in on what YOU can get by going to www.medicare.gov. so easy, you're on the internet anyway, right?

If you do this, you will find out how much easier this is. You can even call them to ask questions. Good luck with whatever you decide.

Re: Looking For a Supplement Plan to Go With Part A And B

brandiwine — Sat, 08 Oct 2022 19:49:05 GMT

Please call an insurance broker in your area. You need an expert not opinions from well meaning, but uninformed people on a forum.