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View Poll Results: If you are 65+ and on Medicare, which plan(s) do you use?
Medicare Advantage (i.e. Part C) 8 21.62%
Medicare Part A/B/D + Medigap F 23 62.16%
Medicare Part A/B/D + Medigap F high deductible 6 16.22%
Voters: 37. You may not vote on this poll

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Old 06-11-2017, 06:26 AM   #21
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I assisted DW in her choice earlier this year. I enter MC later this year. We chose F-HD over the Plan F and hope if doesn't get closed in 2020 for new applicants. The difference in premiums were close to $1,200 per year each. We figured if only one of us had > $5K of "Medicare approved" expenses each year, which should be ~$10K (?) in full, retail billing dollars, then The Plan F-HD would be the better choice . Only in years that both of us are considerably ill would the full-boat Plan F have been the better choice. That has never happened, ever. Both of us are in fairly good health and have only been hospitalized a couple of times over the last 45 years, so DW went with F-HD and I'll do the same.

I think it is terrible about may require underwriting (my emphasis on "may" is understated) when/if you change plans. How are we supposed to make a 30 year financial prediction on what our medical needs might be or who/when that "may" would become a mandatory "shall". That was probably the biggest determining factor in our selection. There needs to be an easier, simpler, less stressful way to enter Medicare. We spent a lot of time and energy in selecting our choices. I understand the need to prevent just changing plans based on a given year's expected medical needs, but.......
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Old 06-11-2017, 06:35 AM   #22
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There needs to be an easier, simpler, less stressful way to enter Medicare. We spent a lot of time and energy in selecting our choices. I understand the need to prevent just changing plans based on a given year's expected medical needs, but.......
Totally agreed on this- I retired a week after a crisis at work made me realize it was time to walk away from toxic politics forever. DH was 75 and had been on my employer's policy. It was primary coverage and he never tapped into Medicare until then. VERY stressful and confusing even though I came from the property-casualty side of the insurance business so I could handle a lot of the jargon. We had COBRA but I wanted to get off of that ASAP. The scramble for coverage was one of the most stressful parts of ER.
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Old 06-11-2017, 09:21 AM   #23
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I bought into a diluted Medicare version of my previous health plan that essentially beefs up my coverage to what I had when I was working. It's a bit expensive compared to some of the others Medicare supplement plans but it gives me good coverage, lots of doctors and freedom to choose the one I want, Rx coverage is great and deductibles and caps are a lot lower than the plans on the exchange.

If I never get seriously sick it is a waste of money. Here's hoping I waste a lot of money over the next 20 to 30+ years.

One negative - no silver sneakers.
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Old 06-11-2017, 03:17 PM   #24
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Poll options did not apply to us. We both pay M/C A&B fee, but get Tricare-for-life at no cost. Our PCP is part of a local Military Treatment Facility (MTF), so we pay no deductible or co-pay and meds are free.
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Old 06-11-2017, 03:37 PM   #25
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No dental or vision insurance. Individual plans for those two aren't worth what you pay for them.

We stay away from Medicare Advantage plans so that we have our choice of doctors/hospitals rather than be limited to a specific network.
FYI. Some Medicare Advantage plans do have specific networks, but not all. My DW's Humana plan covers her at any doc/facility that accepts Medicare assignment. In other words, she can go to any provider I, a traditional Medicare user, can. Unfortunately, we've been testing this lately as DW has developed a significant health issue and sees a number of specialists she shopped widely for before choosing.

But, you do have to shop plans and understand what you're getting. Despite DW's satisfaction with her Medicare Advantage plan and its "same as Medicare" network, I stuck with traditional Medicare.
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Old 06-11-2017, 04:02 PM   #26
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One negative - no silver sneakers.
May not be a huge negative. As I noted earlier, the Silver Sneakers version at my gym (Planet Fitness) is off-peak hours only, single club only, no guests. All-hours access to one club with no guest passes is $10/month plus tax. I pay $20/month plus tax/month for all hours, any club and being allowed to bring DS in any time he's visiting.
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Old 06-11-2017, 04:06 PM   #27
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FYI. Some Medicare Advantage plans do have specific networks, but not all.
My comment was based on the Medicare Advantage plans available in my area, which were are all HMOs when I signed up 5 years ago.

I just took a look and found 14 Medicare Advantage plans currently available: 5 HMO, 8 PPO and 1 PFFS. I view all of these plans as limiting what doctor or hospital I can use, something traditional Medicare does not restrict. And yes, I realize all doctors may not accept Medicare patients.
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Old 06-11-2017, 04:28 PM   #28
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Plan G
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Old 11-17-2017, 12:07 AM   #29
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Can someone explain in simplest possible terms (pretend you're talking to a six year old) what the difference is between Medigap and Medicare advantage ...? I've been perusing the Medicare & You 2018 publication for my area, and I am none the wiser. (Well, I tend to glaze over reading instructions for how to operate a toaster, so I am distinctly a deer in the headlights when it comes to healthcare policies.) I hope to retire in Septober next, and am starting to panic over the myriad Medicare coverage options.
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Old 11-17-2017, 04:38 AM   #30
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look at the poll and it should point you to the right decision.
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Old 11-17-2017, 04:46 AM   #31
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Originally Posted by Lawrence of Suburbia View Post
Can someone explain in simplest possible terms (pretend you're talking to a six year old) what the difference is between Medigap and Medicare advantage ...? I've been perusing the Medicare & You 2018 publication for my area, and I am none the wiser. (Well, I tend to glaze over reading instructions for how to operate a toaster, so I am distinctly a deer in the headlights when it comes to healthcare policies.) I hope to retire in Septober next, and am starting to panic over the myriad Medicare coverage options.
No need to panic. Try reading this thread. http://www.early-retirement.org/foru...ork-86476.html
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Old 11-17-2017, 07:37 AM   #32
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Can someone explain in simplest possible terms (pretend you're talking to a six year old) what the difference is between Medigap and Medicare advantage ...? I've been perusing the Medicare & You 2018 publication for my area, and I am none the wiser. (Well, I tend to glaze over reading instructions for how to operate a toaster, so I am distinctly a deer in the headlights when it comes to healthcare policies.) I hope to retire in Septober next, and am starting to panic over the myriad Medicare coverage options.
Medigap is a supplement to regular Medicare . It covers what Medicare does not .Medicare Advantage is as if they took Medicare and redesigned it adding more benefits usually drugs . Medicare advantage plans are either HMO's were your primary doctor has to refer you to specialists or PPO's were you pick your doctor's .The government has a good pamphlet on this that they will send you . If you decide on medicare Advantage make sure it includes drugs .Hope this helps .
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Old 11-17-2017, 08:45 AM   #33
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FYI. Some Medicare Advantage plans do have specific networks, but not all. My DW's Humana plan covers her at any doc/facility that accepts Medicare assignment. In other words, she can go to any provider I, a traditional Medicare user, can. Unfortunately, we've been testing this lately as DW has developed a significant health issue and sees a number of specialists she shopped widely for before choosing.

But, you do have to shop plans and understand what you're getting. Despite DW's satisfaction with her Medicare Advantage plan and its "same as Medicare" network, I stuck with traditional Medicare.
Bolding is mine. There are providers that don't accept Medicare assignment. Being on traditional Medicare you can go to them but you will be responsible for 'excess charges' they are allowed to charge (and if you have either plan F or G those charges will be covered but not with other plans). It sounds like your wife would not be able to use these providers. So your statement that she can go to any provider that you can is likely incorrect. This may not be a big deal but could prevent her from using certain providers.
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Old 11-17-2017, 08:59 AM   #34
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Medigap is a supplement to regular Medicare . It covers what Medicare does not .Medicare Advantage is as if they took Medicare and redesigned it adding more benefits usually drugs . Medicare advantage plans are either HMO's were your primary doctor has to refer you to specialists or PPO's were you pick your doctor's .The government has a good pamphlet on this that they will send you . If you decide on medicare Advantage make sure it includes drugs .Hope this helps .
Not exactly. Medigap can cover your payment portion of any Medicare approved procedure. If Medicare does not cover the procedure, Medigap doesn't cover it either.
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Old 11-17-2017, 09:04 AM   #35
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Plan G
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Old 11-17-2017, 10:45 AM   #36
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No option for me.


Parts A&B and Tricare-for-Life
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Old 11-17-2017, 02:57 PM   #37
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I transitioned to my previous employers medicare supplemental plan when I turned 65 and I'm pretty much stuck with it until the DW turns 65 too. Under the provisions of the company plan, I "MUST" continue under their supplemental plan for her to keep their regular medical insurance plan. The only way I've found that she can keep their regular insurance without me on the supplemental plan, is for me to die. Not an option!
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Old 11-17-2017, 04:26 PM   #38
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Signer DW up for plan G since F won't be available starting in 2020. Would like to see a G - HD come available in 2020.
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Old 11-17-2017, 04:32 PM   #39
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Signer DW up for plan G since F won't be available starting in 2020. Would like to see a G - HD come available in 2020.
I think you meant new enrollments for F will stop in 2020, those of us already enrolled in F can keep it.

I, too wish there was an HD version of G. Since there isn't (and may not be in the future), we will stick with our HD F plans.
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Old 11-17-2017, 04:42 PM   #40
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Would like to see a G - HD come available in 2020.
See below.

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18. What changes are made to High Deductible Plan options?
Since Plan F High Deductible cannot be sold to those "newly eligible" Medicare beneficiaries, a new Plan G High Deductible is created.

19. When can the new High Deductible Plan G be sold and who can buy it?
Plan G High Deductible can be made available beginning on January 1, 2020; "newly eligible" Medicare beneficiaries and current beneficiaries would be able to buy the new Plan G High Deductible.

Reference: http://www.naic.org/documents/commit...edigap_faq.pdf
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