Medicare. I'm Officially Old :( - Page 10

monicakm · ‎03-16-2010

I'm sorry to read about your husband's dementia. My father has it as well.

Carmie · ‎10-25-2010

@monicakm wrote:
@Carmie

the insurance broker I spoke with yesterday did not recommend Advantage Plans and explained why.

You made the right decision. Don't second guess yourself.

Carmie · ‎10-25-2010

@Kachina624 I too have an Advantage Plan. It is offered as part of my retirement package through my employer.

Mine, like yours is a PPO, not HMO.

I am happy with it. It covers everything at 100% in and out of network, plus I have dental and vision, hearing aid and a gym membership.

Mine also pays me to get preventative services like mammograms, colonoscopies, and dexa scans and immunizations. I get VISA gift cards valued between $25 and $50 for each service I receive.

We are super lucky. These comprehensive Advantage Plans are not offered to the general public normally. They are an exception.

Some Advantage Plans are awful, but not all of them. It all depends on where you live and what is offered.

Traditional Medicare with a supplement is a safe choice for everyone and they are easy to understand. They also don't change benefits on you. Advantage plans sometimes do that. There is no guarantee that what we have today will be available the same next year. That could be a big disadvantage.

Also Advantage plans can be a pain if you need services while on vacation. It is easier for providers to file a Traditional Medicare claim in all 50 states and get paid.

For people who have to choose their own plan, and have to pay for it, the safer choice is always Traditional Medicare, plus a good supplement. It's easy to understand and submit claims and is accepted everywhere.

They also don't have to worry about their plan being discontinued or changed every year.

One size does not fit all. I do wish Advantage plans were more stable and not all so different. I would like to see the benefits more standard like Traditional Medicare and supplements.

geezerette · ‎03-16-2010

@monicakm wrote:
@geezerette

Oh no. This is not good news. Have you changed to a different secondary insurance?

@monicakm

I don't have United Healthcare, so it didn't affect me.

But thanks for the kind thought.🙂

CelticCrafter · ‎03-09-2010

@monicakm wrote:
@Still Raining

Just wondering, do you know if I'm able to change my supplemental insurance at any time? I'm not looking to change it from United Healthcare but just wondering if that's something I can do at any time.

@monicakm you can try to change your supplement but it doesn't mean you will be successful.

Once you are out of your personal enrollment period you will be subject to underwriting guidelines.

Supplements do not fall under the annual open enrollment period like advantage plans do.

CalminHeart · ‎03-09-2010

@monicakm wrote:
@CalminHeart

getting old isn't for sissies

Boy don't I know it! And apparently I wrote the book on how to be a sissy. No need to try to sugar coat it, I'm a big sissy LOL but my husband tells me I'm stronger than I think and when push comes to shove I handle the situation like a champ...He thinks way too highly of me LOL

Your husband is correct. We are all stronger than we think. Most of us step up when needed even when it's the most difficult.

My most recent trials have been the loss of 4 immediate family members and a dear friend in the last 10 months, with the most recent being yesterday. There have been times of deep despair but I am getting through it with the love of my kids, remaining siblings, friends, and some EMDR grief counseling.

gidgetgh · ‎03-09-2010

@monicakm wrote:
@Still Raining

Just wondering, do you know if I'm able to change my supplemental insurance at any time? I'm not looking to change it from United Healthcare but just wondering if that's something I can do at any time.

@monicakm - as mentioned later in the thread, it is possible to change your supplemental insurance at any time, but you might be subject to underwriting if you are outside of your initial enrollment period and live in a state that requires underwriting to make a change.

You chose supplement plan G. It is a terrific plan. I have plan G with Anthem/Blue Cross and never intend to change.

Why is it, when I have a 50/50 guess at something, I'm always 100% wrong?