Wellness

[Desertdi]

Here's ONE thing.    If you give up a supplemental to get an Advantage, and change your mind, you will not get  the previous premium rate back on the new supplemental.

[Jan100]

You're absolutely correct. I was going to get involved in this but my sanity can't take it. Just think about it:  why would a private insurance company (Medicare Advantage) piggyback itself to the "Medicare" name and give the impression it's part of Medicare? Follow the money.

[wagirl]

I have a supplemental plan--not an Advantage one--my anniversary date is in Feb so I can change then or anytime during.  the year. Have been very happy with it so far--this is 2 or 3 year for me.

[judianne]

My advantage plan is $104 a year . Benefits include eye exams $150 towards eye glasses , rx drugs , most have no copay , dental coverage for cleaning and tooth repair , and $50 every 3 months for OTC stuff . I have no deductible , my primary doctor visits are no copay , specialty doctors are $40 per visit . In patients are $200 for everything , outpatient er visit is $90 . My husband has a supplement , it's $314 a month and $37 a month for rx . He has no copays but also so no vision or dental coverage and no OTC $. Not sure what is best but I seem to be getting by a lot cheaper than him . He didn't want the advantage plan . I have had multiple surgeries and hospital inpatient stays and the cost was minimal .He also had multiple inpatient stays and procedures and his cost was $0 .  Hard to say which is the best way to go !!

[Jan100]

The "money" to follow is the difference between what your healthcare providers bill to Medicare Advantage and what Medicare Advantage then turns around and bills to Medicare. They are sucking Medicare dry, it is deliberate and a plan. It will ultimately allow them to privatize Medicare and at that point, everyone will have their eyes opened for them.

[Hoovermom]

We are somewhat frustrated with a practice from BCBS Advantage plan........they sent us a "cologuard" kit for DH.  He knew his doctor didn't do it since he has a colonoscopy every 3 years that the doctor orders for him.  I then got a notice for me about receiving a kit.  I called BCBS and asked and they said yes that they did that as part of helping us maintain this testing procedure.   I told them to stop that we had primary care doctors that would prescribe for us what we needed.  I filed a complaint.

[conlt]

@Hoovermom I am sorry this happened to your husband. The insurance company is dictating what type of test he needs. My doctor gave me a Colagard in June and it was positive. I ended up with a colonoscopy anyway and I had 2 polyps, both benign. I read about colagard and there is a high percentage of false positives. I do not know about false negatives. 

I stay on Medicare with a supplement, I find this is the best health insurance route for me. 

[JumpTheRope]

I agree. I also have UHC Advantage for 3 years now .
They offer a benefit card that covers most OTC health products, including vitamins, supplements , equipment, some food, some regular bills . Current benefit us $125/monthly which does not roll over. Comes in handy, especially for common items like pain patches, vitamins and personal hygiene products.
Nothing is written in stone and if you don't like it,, you can drop it or switch to another during enrollment period

[Teddixat]

@Still Raining   HUH?   What does IMAC have to do with anything

[Teddixat]

@Carmie    Great explanation.  I had UHC Medicare supplement.  It is/was very expensive.  In 2025, I am on a Medicare Advantage PPO with a $49 deductible.  My supplement for 2025 was going to be $300 a month plus a prescription drug plan.  My UCLA doctors are all covered under my Advantage PPO.    Insurance health plans differ from state to state - even county to county