Community Chat

[Mom2Dogs]

@gidgetgh   Understood but I wonder why when he was talking to the state (there is a company that handles his insurance as an ex employee) about his Part D  they suggested he find out what his premium for his supplement would be in January and switch if he wanted to?  

I was under the impression that he had to switch carriers before the 1st of the year....maybe because his insurance is thru the state as an ex employee?  I don't know

I might have to send them a message and ask...

[Carmie]

In most cases, it is not advisable to switch or try to switch companies for Medicare supplements, or to change your supplement within the same company.

Some insurance companies won't allow you to switch, If they do, they will make you pay more for your age as well as pre existing conditions.  Some states do not allow you to switch at all unless you move or your company goes out of business.

Most supplemental plans will go up as you age. They are priced differently for different ages. Expect higher prices.

There are a few insurance companies that price at the community rates, but they are rare.

Open enrollment is mainly for RX coverage and Advantage Plans.

If your husband has coverage with the state retirement plan, it's not going to be easy to drop it and choose something else if it can even be done.

[Mom2Dogs]

Thanks....the person that he was speaking with last month on the phone about his drug plan, planted that seed in my head about his supplement....so I guess I was irked for no reason.....

[Stray]

We were notified during the summer that my former company was dropping health insurance coverage to retirees.  They gave us a $3800 HRA to be shared with my husband, we only got that if we signed up with the service that the company contracted with to counsel us as to choices.  Through the company, I paid $218 for coverage for my husband and I which included a Medigap plan thru AETNA for both of us + dental & rx via express scripts.  A real bargain & I guess I should be happy for the years I had the retiree benefits.  I signed up for an F plan from AETNA for both of us, wow big difference plus I purchased dental & an rx plan for both of us.   A few of our doctors have stopped taking Medicare & we are with them long term & at this stage of the game & with health issues, I'm not shopping around for new doctors.  Both doctors are in NYC & a third doctor said he's no longer accepting Medicare next year.  All three doctors are members of AETNA so I took a chance & submitted the claims to AETNA that could not be submitted to Medicare from our two doctors with a letter of explanation & they paid 80% so I was happy.  I don't know if I'll have the same option with my new plan as my old one was private & subsidized by my company.  

[Rockycoast]

We received our 2026 Medicare catalog at the end of October, beginning of November.  Have already compared policies and even with an increase in payment we are sticking with our Advantage policy.  Works great for us. No need to change. We are still in good health, only 3 meds (that are still covered) between the 2 of us.  

I would think that the info should be sent out asap giving people the chance to compare policies. They started mailing them out in September.  You can also go to Medicare.gov and download an electronic version.  Sign up ends on Dec.7th