Medicare Enrollment Question

[nwsteve]

Quote:

Originally Posted by kaneohe " Might very well be true going TO BC but is it guaranteed going FROM BC to another provider?

Fair question and someone who is more of an authority then myself needs to weigh in for a definitive answer. The broker gave me impression these rules are pretty much standardized per the Feds. And when the Feds do not have a rule, each state has them.
Nwsteve

[haha]

Quote:

Originally Posted by nwsteve Got some more education today from my insurance broker. I am using the BC provider for coverage and their app has a set of questions that determines if you have to go through underwriting to change plans--basically if you are coming from an existing plan that has comparable coverage and there is no gap in coverage, no underwriting is required. You just have to submit a letter of coverage from your current carrier. Pretty much the situation now when you change plans for individual coverage. Nwsteve

This is exactly correct in WA, but it may not be true elswhere. I think the WA law allowing this is only 1.5-2 years old. Several years ago I wanted to switch plans, but a medical evaluation was required. Then last Dec (2011) I was allowed to switch without one. Type F -> Type F.

Ha

[haha]

Quote:

Originally Posted by pasttense Right now Medicare Advantage plans get a significant subsidy over regular Medicare. With Obamacare this subsidy is being removed.

Could you direct me to something where I can copy this to show to others?

[M Paquette]

Quote:

Originally Posted by haha Could you direct me to something where I can copy this to show to others?

Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Medicar..._Health_Reform

From the government site covering PPACA changes: http://www.healthreform.gov/reports/...e/medicare.pdf

Note that the Medicare Advantage subsidy was intended to kickstart the program, and was never intended to be permanent. The FY 2009 budget proposals already included phaseout of the subsidy. This wad rolled into PPACA as part of the congressional sausage making process.

[haha]

Quote:

Originally Posted by M Paquette Wikipedia: Medicare Advantage - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia From the government site covering PPACA changes: http://www.healthreform.gov/reports/...e/medicare.pdf Note that the Medicare Advantage subsidy was intended to kickstart the program, and was never intended to be permanent. The FY 2009 budget proposals already included phaseout of the subsidy. This wad rolled into PPACA as part of the congressional sausage making process.

Thanks. I have avoided Medicare Advantage, because there is a one way door leading only into it. If you coime back to Regular Medicare, you have no guaranteed right to a Supplement- except under certain circumstances.

I read that Sen Kerry introduced a bill that wouldd address this, but I haven't heard much about it and imagine that in an election year, it is likely just massaging his base.


Ha