Community Chat

[Pearlee]

@CelticCrafter. Your last sentence isn't true. See my post to CARMIE above. I have a Supplement plan and I could switch to one from another company that costs less or I could get one with lesser coverage than mine which has the most coverage or I could switch to an advantage plan. Also many people such as myself are relatively young and healthy and would easily pass an underwriting requirement so Open Enrollment applies to everything.

[Pearlee]

@Cats3000. What you recommend does not apply to everyone. My retirement pension system requires me to go through a company of advisors and sign up for plans though them if I want to get reimbursed for the costs of my plans which I do. Your advice is not applicable to me.

[CelticCrafter]

@Pearlee just because you may pass underwriting requirements to change supplements doesn't mean everyone will.

Supplements have underwriting requirements once a person is past their personal window of sign up.  The only time you are guaranteed a supplement is the first time you are eligible to sign up for one.  That can be within the time period of when you turn 65, that can be when you retire from a job that provided health care and doesn't include it in with retirement benefits.

Advantage plans have no underwriting requirements.....if you want to switch from a supplement to an advantage during open enrollment you can.  It's not as easy to switch from an advantage to a supplement, just saying.

[Pearlee]

@CelticCrafter I know all of what you posted just now which still means your last sentence in your first post is not correct. As your post just now confirms. I didnt say everyone can pass underwriting but many can and companies are happy to have them switch and therefore take their money.

[Carmie]

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@kivah wrote:

I had SCAN for 12-1/2 years - I thought it was an insurance company but found out they're administrators for Medicare - total shock. I paid $39/month and $10. each time I went to a doctor. Several months ago, I was in the hospital for 5 nights - and I received a bill for $2,000. (SCAN is a SCAM). I told my doctor about it - and he had me call the woman who handles all the insurance for his office staff. She came to my house - she's a free agent and could choose any insurance company. 

I chose Central Health Medicare Plan (CA). No more monthly premiums and free visits to the doctors. She said I didn't need a supplemental plan.

I suggest u call an insurance agent (who could recommend any insurance co.)

.

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What you had from SCAN was a Medicare Advantage Plan. You got billed $2000 for five nights in the hospital because your plan had a copayment of $400 a night for inpatient care.

Your new plan replaces SCAN with another Medicare Advantage Plan, Just with a different carrier. Please check to see if your new plan has an inpatient copayment.  Most Advantage plans do.  Some are higher than $400 a night.

You should be looking at the whole insurance picture, not just zero premiums and  $0 for office visits.  My guess is that those free office visits are only with your PCP and you might have a copay for specialists.  

You might take another look at what you have, just so there are no surprises.

[Pearlee]

@Carmie. Good advice. Which brings me back to my thread title. Everyone should review everything they have about Medicare to see if something benefits them more than their current plans and, if so, make a change during open enrollment. Hassle and boring!

The problem is that we need 20/20 hindsight for what is going to happen to us medically during the upcoming year. For example I chose a new PDP based on my current meds. What if I need a much more expensive med during 2020? If only I had a crystal ball for my health future!

[Carmie]

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@Pearlee wrote:
@CarmieEven if I do have traditional Medicare and a Supplement yes I do need to think about more than the PDP. My Supplement keeps increasing my rate a lot in July each year mid- contact period so I never know what I'm paying in the second part of the year. Some companies charge less for the same coverage plan but I believe my company I'm with (Anthem) is the best. But each year I need to at least think about going with a company that charges less or getting lesser coverage (as I say I have the highest coverage). So there is more to think about than the drug plans.

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@Pearlee   When you have a Medicare Supplement, it is not prudent to even try to shop around for a replacement supplement plan.  

When you are in your Medicare Part B enrollment period ( for most, but not all people when they turn age 65) you can shop around and can choose a plan to your liking.  If you are not happy, you can cancel and choose a different one as long as you are in your open enrollment period.

Once your open enrollment period is closed, insurance companies can refuse to sell you insurance, or they can charge you more for preexisting conditions, or charge a higher fee.  You will even get penalized for changing plans with the same company.  

Whatever you choose from the get go will  most likely be what you will have all of your life, unless you decide to cancel your Traditional Medicare and go with a Medicare Advantage plan.  If you do this, you can always go back to Traditional Medicare, but you will not be able to buy a supplement for it.

There are of course, exceptions to be made for people with certain medical conditions, but for the average person, they will not be able to change supplements or even buy into one when their Medicare Part B open enrollment period is closed.

So, again I say, if you have Traditional Medicare, you do not have to shop around looking for a lower price...there s no such thing ( exception being Plan C and H are being discontinued in 2020 and people will be allowed to choose something else or keep what they have)...no new enrollment will be allowed)

As always, you can shop for a new RX Plan or an Advantage Plan each years during the annual open enrollment period.

• Medicare Open enrollment period is each year.
• Medicare Part B enrollment is only once in your lifetime and it is six months within your Medicare Part B effective date.

[riley1]

@Pearlee - I am so with you on this, lol. The last month, I'm pretty sure I used a lot more colorful words. Sick of the ads and phone calls. 

I received a letter from my prescription coverage company and my coverage more than doubled! And, I don't even take any medication. So, off I went to my insurance person to find new coverage. 

Regarding more expensive meds, say Tier 4 & 5 you can see if they will make them a Tier 3 and reduce the cost. My hubby has one Tier 4 med. After trying many other brands (along with all the side effects) only one brand helps him with no side effects. He was able to get the cost reduced to a Tier 3 price.

Good Luck! Riley1

[reiki604]

When I got on Mediciare this past June, I went to an insurance broker who reviewed all my meds and medical issues and recommended a Supplement and Medication plan. Although prices are going up on both, I went back to review my choices and decided to keep what I had. All of this at no charge to me. I've found if there is any way to reduce my stress, I will take it, instead of driving myself and those around me crazy. It is always the best course of action to get a professional.

[Pearlee]

CARMIE. Yes there is such a thing as shopping around for a lower price of a plan that provides the same coverage. I'm not going to keep persung this with you. I went over all this on the phone with the expert LICENSED ADVISORS so I'll stick with what they told me. Unless you are a licensed advisor on this....?