Community Chat

[Moonchilde]

What is covered, and what extras are provided in the case of MA plans, isn’t the only consideration. The largest, most well-known companies and the first choice of many might cost you considerably more than you planned on.

I went through an agency that specializes in Medicare supplements. They told me up front that the big companies raised their rates more often than the smaller companies, and the % of premium raised could easily be 10-15% every year.  They have observed this over the years, and I’ve seen news articles that confirm it. 

They also said that as far as straight supplements (not MA plans), it’s not like a larger company will pay out more benefits than a small one, and that payment is computerized and automatic no matter who you’re insured with.

My rate increase per month, I just learned, will be $2-$3 this year. I’m soooo happy with that - and grateful to those who steered me in their direction.

[tansy]

Not to be argumentative, @Moonchilde, but my big-name Advantage plan went down in price by about $7.  I chose the plan because I am covered in WA and AZ, plus the co-pays are decent on my meds and supplies.

[Bridgegal]

Who are some of the "little guys"?   How do you know the big guys from the little guys?   We're happy with our supplemental plan and carrier and haven't heard about a rate increase.....yet.

[Moonchilde]

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@tansy wrote:

Not to be argumentative, @Moonchilde, but my big-name Advantage plan went down in price by about $7.  I chose the plan because I am covered in WA and AZ, plus the co-pays are decent on my meds and supplies.

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I was talking about Medicare supplements @tansy, not Medicare Advantage plans, which are a whole ‘nother animal as far as what is offered. I have no co-pays for office visits either. But I didn’t mean for this to be another supplements vs Advantage thread ;-)

I also had my Part D premium go down...while the per-Rx charges went up. That was, IMO, really stupid and I wonder why they bothered. My Part D is with a very large company.

Of course there will be exceptions.

[tansy]

Oops...sorry, @Moonchilde.  😊

[Moonchilde]

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@Bridgegal wrote:

Who are some of the "little guys"?   How do you know the big guys from the little guys?   We're happy with our supplemental plan and carrier and haven't heard about a rate increase.....yet.

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Specifically, I don’t have a list. The company I have is called Combined, but no one west of the Mississippi has heard of it. Not United, BCBS, AARP’s programs, Aetna, Humana - all of the companies that do a lot of advertising.

As far as rate increases, it was explained to me that most companies have increases most years, no matter who they are. It’s the degree, percentage, amount of increase that is important. I didn’t have an increase last year.

[shoekitty]

Medicare is taking an additional 129 bucks , for a total of nearly 300 from my mom.  doesn't include the 297 for her supplement. This is my first year medicare, although I am 

almost 70, is 300,,  my supplemental is about 100 bucks. Total 400 a month for medicare.  My husband is almost the same, actually a little less.  Everyone I know had a huge hike this year, from 80-310

[shoekitty]

We pay more than we did when my husband was working, and getting aetna through work.  He retired dec. .  I did hear that the medical deductible nearly tripled at his work.  Many like my husband retired.  He was due though.  He is 71.

[Moonchilde]

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@shoekitty wrote:

Medicare is taking an additional 129 bucks , for a total of nearly 300 from my mom.  doesn't include the 297 for her supplement. This is my first year medicare, although I am 

almost 70, is 300,,  my supplemental is about 100 bucks. Total 400 a month for medicare.  My husband is almost the same, actually a little less.  Everyone I know had a huge hike this year, from 80-310

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At the time I was arranging for my coverage to start, I did a lot of price comparisons, so the price quoted for my supplement sounded darn good to me. There are no insurance co-backed MA plans where I live, so I didn’t have that choice. My supplement has almost no co-pays, which I really like. My supplement, first purchased in 2016, is now $127.50 per month. Many people in previous Medicare supplement threads have mentioned $200+ for their premiums.  Some of it depends on where you live, i.e. population density in your area. I pay somewhat more because I live in a rural area (which is also why there are no MAs here).

[Moonchilde]

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@shoekitty wrote:

We pay more than we did when my husband was working, and getting aetna through work.  He retired dec. .  I did hear that the medical deductible nearly tripled at his work.  Many like my husband retired.  He was due though.  He is 71.

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Oh, I believe that.  And getting your Medicare supplement through a company retirement plan as a benefit is different still than buying in the marketplace like I did. Many of those seem to function in between MA and regular supplements, as far as benefits. I wish I’d had that option. But a family member does have it and there are still downsides - nothing’s perfect.

When my niece retires at age 62, she’ll have to buy her own insurance at market rates until she’s 65, and her husband will lose his coverage under her plan and will have to buy a supplement.