Reply
Valued Contributor
Posts: 748
Registered: ‎03-21-2010

We went through Boomer Benefits located in TX and they recommended a supplement (based on our health information).  They checked 25 companies and we went with Mutual of Omaha.  I pay $96 a month and DH is $102.00.  Prescription plan is $13 a month.  Boomer Benefits was recommended through another forum group my husband is on with lots of positive feedback.  My husband is the biggest skeptic out there.  This is our first year with them so we'll see how it goes. 

 

Nothing is free; nothing.  I used to be an insurance agent years ago and I can tell you there is always some detail that you either didn't ask about or the agent didn't disclose.  You have to read the policy and ask questions..  My friend who has been septic in the hospital 3x was talked into a MA plan.  I am concerned that she may not know there will be a big cost if she goes back in.  Plus she has diabetes and has other issues.

 

After reading these posts, it definitely sounds like it's going to depend on your particular state.  I personally have never ever heard of something that covers everything with no deductibles, you can see any dr., etc.  Someone is paying for it.  Maybe the former employer is.  How can it be free? My mom was a GM retiree.  Her insurance paid almost everything but that was part of the GM retiree benefits.  I'm sure GM didn't expect back in the 80s that these retirees would live past 90 like she did.  

 

Be careful with agents, too.  Agents get commissions; trust me I know this.  Ask lots of questions. I sold life insurance - there were many different programs.  Some were very affordable but they terminated at age 65.  Even though it was disclosed everywhere, i had to deal with many angry 65 year olds that were outraged - um.....it cost $6.00 a month - did you really expect that would be like that until you were 90?  We did offer an alternative at that point but of course it was expensive.  Always ask questions no matter what you buy or no matter who you know who has it.  Be cautious.  

 

I didn't go with a MA even though I am healthy - no diabetes or other issues.  From what I learned, they are GREAT IF you don't have to be hospitalized.  I have too much family history of cancer to take that chance.  Plus I want to go to any doctor I want.

Honored Contributor
Posts: 13,510
Registered: ‎05-23-2010

@Kachina624 wrote:

@Mindy D   These plans apparently vary wildly.  I have an Advantage Plan through my former employer for which I've never paid a cent.  Not only is the insurance free but I have no co-pay, deductible or any out of pocket expense.  I've had major surgery and never paid a penny.  It's quite a perk.


@Kachina624 @That is like the Blue Cross HMO Advantage plan I have had for the past two years and like the AMed plans my husband and parents have had for many years but now most of the specialists I want will only take the PPO version. We never paid a cent in the first years with AVMed and great specialists and hospitals were allwupithnthem but in the past five years there have been some payments but they were not sky high. I was not impressed with the biographies of the specialists that are Will into to take the HMOs from Blue Cross and United. So many were not even board certified. This is totally different than it was two years ago. I'll probably switch to the Blue Cross Advantage PPO but I hate thinking that it will cost much more for in hospital services if I should need it. Same with Skilled nursing home costs if I need convalescent services. I have 

Honored Contributor
Posts: 13,510
Registered: ‎05-23-2010

Re: Medicare advantage

[ Edited ]

@tarsmom wrote:

We went through Boomer Benefits located in TX and they recommended a supplement (based on our health information).  They checked 25 companies and we went with Mutual of Omaha.  I pay $96 a month and DH is $102.00.  Prescription plan is $13 a month.  Boomer Benefits was recommended through another forum group my husband is on with lots of positive feedback.  My husband is the biggest skeptic out there.  This is our first year with them so we'll see how it goes. 

 

Nothing is free; nothing.  I used to be an insurance agent years ago and I can tell you there is always some detail that you either didn't ask about or the agent didn't disclose.  You have to read the policy and ask questions..  My friend who has been septic in the hospital 3x was talked into a MA plan.  I am concerned that she may not know there will be a big cost if she goes back in.  Plus she has diabetes and has other issues.

 

After reading these posts, it definitely sounds like it's going to depend on your particular state.  I personally have never ever heard of something that covers everything with no deductibles, you can see any dr., etc.  Someone is paying for it.  Maybe the former employer is.  How can it be free? My mom was a GM retiree.  Her insurance paid almost everything but that was part of the GM retiree benefits.  I'm sure GM didn't expect back in the 80s that these retirees would live past 90 like she did.  

 

Be careful with agents, too.  Agents get commissions; trust me I know this.  Ask lots of questions. I sold life insurance - there were many different programs.  Some were very affordable but they terminated at age 65.  Even though it was disclosed everywhere, i had to deal with many angry 65 year olds that were outraged - um.....it cost $6.00 a month - did you really expect that would be like that until you were 90?  We did offer an alternative at that point but of course it was expensive.  Always ask questions no matter what you buy or no matter who you know who has it.  Be cautious.  

 

I didn't go with a MA even though I am healthy - no diabetes or other issues.  From what I learned, they are GREAT IF you don't have to be hospitalized.  I have too much family history of cancer to take that chance.  Plus I want to go to any doctor I want.


@tarsmom @Cancer is really a problem for every type of plan Medicare plan I've looked at. Chemotherapy and radiation is never covered at 100%. Most plans leave you to pay 20% which could amount to thousands with the high cost of chemo medications. Check your medications coverage to see what it will pay for chemo and radiation. 

This is what Medicare says on their site:

"Chemotherapy

Medicare Part A (Hospital Insurance) covers chemotherapy if you have cancer, and ✅you're a hospital inpatient. ✅Medicare Part B (Medical Insurance) covers chemotherapy if you’re a hospital outpatient or a patient in a doctor’s office or freestanding clinic.
Your costs in Original Medicare

You pay a copayment for chemotherapy covered under Part B in a hospital outpatient setting. For chemotherapy given in a doctor's office or freestanding clinic,✅ you pay 20% of the Medicare-approved amount, and the Part B deductible applies.

Note

Your doctor or other health care provider may recommend you get services more often than Medicare covers. Or, they may recommend services that Medicare doesn’t cover. If this happens, you may have to pay some or all of the costs. Ask questions so you understand why your doctor is recommending certain services and whether Medicare will pay for them."

Valued Contributor
Posts: 635
Registered: ‎06-15-2010

Thank you all very much for the information. I am meeting with a Medicare specialist in my area as suggested by many next week. I now have some knowledge before that meeting to decide. I will update as to my decision.

Valued Contributor
Posts: 635
Registered: ‎06-15-2010

Re: Medicare advantage (update)

I had the meeting today with advisor on plans. He advised me to switch from plan G to N with my supplemental.  So I had to apply and be approved. The premium is less expensive and doesn't  increase like my plan G does. I will have a 20 dollar copay and ER visits if needed are 50 if not admitted. Everything else remains the same. I take two meds so may not be  approved but worth a try. It's a tangled web.