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Honored Contributor
Posts: 9,282
Registered: ‎03-09-2010

Re: Are You Ready for the Medicare Advantage TV Ads to Stop?

My m-i-l is always complaining about the HMO referrals and co-pays.  Between the two of them they see 8 specialists.

 

She is trying to switch over to a PPO plan and the way it was explained to us, supplements do not fall under the open enrollment rules and the only time there is a no questions asked guarantee that you will be accepted is the very first time you become eligible to sign up for the supplement.  After that, if you try to switch from the Advantage to the supplement and have pre-existings conditions you can either be charged higher premiums or denied competely because of the pre-existing conditions.

 

Anyway, that's what we were told.

Regular Contributor
Posts: 243
Registered: ‎03-28-2010

Re: Are You Ready for the Medicare Advantage TV Ads to Stop?

If only the insurance companies would spend that ad money on its' subscribers instead of TV ads and paper that goes in the trash.

And I agree - us older folks are getting ripped off.  Where is AARP?

I don't and won't belong to AARP because I think they do absolutely nothing to lobby for us.

 

Regular Contributor
Posts: 186
Registered: ‎11-18-2018

Re: Are You Ready for the Medicare Advantage TV Ads to Stop?


@MamaWick wrote:

I agree with xraytech...don't go with an advantage plan.  If you snowbird or travel anywhere, they will pay for emergency coverage, but expect you to get right back to your home base for followup.  We chose regular Medicare and Physician's Mutual (which actually has a "patented" supplemental plan as they were copied on so much).  We also chose our own Part D. 

 

We never got phone calls, but are still receiving mailings every day. 


Actually, since you have no idea what any other posters financial status is or their health status, so you really can't advise others about what choice is best for them.People should look into  and learn all they can about both regular medicare AND advantage plans before they reach 65 so they can make an appropriate choice for their own circumstances.Many people are perfectly happy with both regular medicare or advantage plans. 

Regular Contributor
Posts: 186
Registered: ‎11-18-2018

Re: Are You Ready for the Medicare Advantage TV Ads to Stop?

I huge misconception I'm reading here is that  all advantage plans are HMO plans. This is incorrect.There are as many different plans offered as there are insurance companies and counties in the USA. You have to do your due dilligence to find out what is offered where you live, and at what cost. Generally speaking advantage plans are cost saving and that is why people buy them.However, if you are cronically ill , or tend to want to run off to the doctor for every hiccup, they would not be your best choice.

Honored Contributor
Posts: 18,605
Registered: ‎10-25-2010

Re: Are You Ready for the Medicare Advantage TV Ads to Stop?


@CelticCrafter wrote:

My m-i-l is always complaining about the HMO referrals and co-pays.  Between the two of them they see 8 specialists.

 

She is trying to switch over to a PPO plan and the way it was explained to us, supplements do not fall under the open enrollment rules and the only time there is a no questions asked guarantee that you will be accepted is the very first time you become eligible to sign up for the supplement.  After that, if you try to switch from the Advantage to the supplement and have pre-existings conditions you can either be charged higher premiums or denied competely because of the pre-existing conditions.

 

Anyway, that's what we were told.


You are correct.  You can always drop an Advantage Plan and go back to Traditional Medicare, but trying to find a supplement will be next to impossible.

 

The open enrollment in November-December of each year is for Advantage Plans and RX Plans.  If you have Medicare and a Supplement, you can switch Your RX Plan each year with no adverse problems.