Medicare choices

hoosieroriginal · ‎03-04-2012

I highly urge people who will be eligible for Medicare in the next few months to go to an insurance agent and have them go over your choices. I went today because all of the information I am getting in the mail was just so confusing. She took about an hour and explained all of my options. I now know what I will choose when it is time for me to apply. Don't wait till the last minute and rush into picking a plan that isn't good for you. I feel like I'm fully informed in my options.

Mz iMac · ‎07-26-2014

I became a member of the Medicare/Medicare Supplemental Club last summer. My mail box was flooded w/all the Medicare stuff which I promptly threw in the trash. Then this is what I did.....

Read the Medicare & You booklet that every one gets in the mail (when that time comes) & checked off all the health insurances I was interested in.

I called each one to have them mail me their policy info.

Once I received them all (3), I compared what they offered, their services, their premium fees, etc.

Then I selected the policy that fit my needs as well as if the premium payments was worth it.

If I didn't care for the 3 I picked out, I would have gone back to the booklet to pick out 3 more. Luckily my state has a list of 17 approved health providers allowed to do business in the state.

For me it wasn't confusing as each ins carrier was pretty straight forward in what they offered & what wasn't offered.

Of course you still need that magnifying glass to read all the small print.

"Never argue with a fool. Onlookers may not be able to tell the difference."

deeva · ‎03-09-2010

DH did this before he turned 65, it was very helpful.

tucsongal · ‎03-10-2010

I would also recommend doing some research on your own first so you have a basic understanding of the options. An agent may be representing a specific company and could be biased. She/he will be making a commission.

Winkk · ‎03-15-2010

I agree, it can be very confusing. Just make sure you find someone who is neutral because you don't want someone that represents just one insurance company.

Hoovermom · ‎03-19-2010

@Mz iMac wrote:
I became a member of the Medicare/Medicare Supplemental Club last summer. My mail box was flooded w/all the Medicare stuff which I promptly threw in the trash. Then this is what I did.....

Read the Medicare & You booklet that every one gets in the mail (when that time comes) & checked off all the health insurances I was interested in.
I called each one to have them mail me their policy info.

Once I received them all (3), I compared what they offered, their services, their premium fees, etc.
Then I selected the policy that fit my needs as well as if the premium payments was worth it.

If I didn't care for the 3 I picked out, I would have gone back to the booklet to pick out 3 more. Luckily my state has a list of 17 approved health providers allowed to do business in the state.

For me it wasn't confusing as each ins carrier was pretty straight forward in what they offered & what wasn't offered.

Of course you still need that magnifying glass to read all the small print.

Where did this booklet come from? Thanks.

Caligurll · ‎07-20-2014

@Hoovermom wrote:
@Mz iMac wrote:
I became a member of the Medicare/Medicare Supplemental Club last summer. My mail box was flooded w/all the Medicare stuff which I promptly threw in the trash. Then this is what I did.....

Read the Medicare & You booklet that every one gets in the mail (when that time comes) & checked off all the health insurances I was interested in.
I called each one to have them mail me their policy info.

Once I received them all (3), I compared what they offered, their services, their premium fees, etc.
Then I selected the policy that fit my needs as well as if the premium payments was worth it.

If I didn't care for the 3 I picked out, I would have gone back to the booklet to pick out 3 more. Luckily my state has a list of 17 approved health providers allowed to do business in the state.

For me it wasn't confusing as each ins carrier was pretty straight forward in what they offered & what wasn't offered.

Of course you still need that magnifying glass to read all the small print.

Where did this booklet come from? Thanks.

@Hoovermom Medicare will send it to you right before you turn 65.

BlingQueen022 · ‎09-23-2012

When the time comes I won't have to investigate at all. With Federal Blue Cross I won't be paying a dime with Medicare on any patient responsibilities.

Mz iMac · ‎07-26-2014

@Hoovermom wrote:
@Mz iMac wrote:
I became a member of the Medicare/Medicare Supplemental Club last summer. My mail box was flooded w/all the Medicare stuff which I promptly threw in the trash. Then this is what I did.....

Read the Medicare & You booklet that every one gets in the mail (when that time comes) & checked off all the health insurances I was interested in.
I called each one to have them mail me their policy info.

Once I received them all (3), I compared what they offered, their services, their premium fees, etc.
Then I selected the policy that fit my needs as well as if the premium payments was worth it.

If I didn't care for the 3 I picked out, I would have gone back to the booklet to pick out 3 more. Luckily my state has a list of 17 approved health providers allowed to do business in the state.

For me it wasn't confusing as each ins carrier was pretty straight forward in what they offered & what wasn't offered.

Of course you still need that magnifying glass to read all the small print.

Where did this booklet come from? Thanks.

@Hoovermom

Directly from Medicare. The booklet is customized to YOU & the state you domicile in.

This year it's called Medicare & You 2016. If you do not have yours you can either call Medicare and/or go to their online site & order one. The booklet is free.

"Never argue with a fool. Onlookers may not be able to tell the difference."