AARP article on the future of Traditional Medicare

[CRLLS]

Medicare B premium is the same for everyone, $164.9 this year. Medicare supplemental plan prices, or MediGap, vary widely around the country. You can use the MediGap plan finder at the Medicare website here https://www.medicare.gov/medigap-supplemental-insurance-plans/#/m/?year=2024&lang=en

Enter yiur zip code and look at the plans available in your area.

For the vast majority of people, you are correct. For those with large AGI (SS, RMDs etc), IRMAA can close to $400 more. And IRMAA also increases Part D (drug). IRMAA is a graduated scale so there is no large "cliff", just a series of smaller steps.

 

[Another Reader]

I'm not on Medicare yet but I believe I won't have a choice other than signing up for Advantage since a major network I currently use require it:
https://coverage-ca.com/2021/09/02/...-some-patients-enrolled-in-original-medicare/
They also do not accept any Medigap plans.

I have had Sutter/PAMF for many years. Been on original Medicare for a few years. Other than a generic letter from them offering some internal Advantage plan that came with the rest of the junk mail during the Fall Advantage sales season, I have heard nothing about this.

The insurance companies prefer Advantage plans because they gives them leverage with providers. If this happens, the treatment flow charts will be de facto determined by them. They are lobbying Congress heavily, I'm sure.

It will be a cold day in hell when I sign up for an Advantage plan.

 

[Alex The Great]

I have had Sutter/PAMF for many years. Been on original Medicare for a few years. Other than a generic letter from them offering some internal Advantage plan that came with the rest of the junk mail during the Fall Advantage sales season, I have heard nothing about this.

The insurance companies prefer Advantage plans because they gives them leverage with providers. If this happens, the treatment flow charts will be de facto determined by them. They are lobbying Congress heavily, I'm sure.

It will be a cold day in hell when I sign up for an Advantage plan.

This is great that you manage to stay with original Medicare. According to the information I have Advantage is a Sutter's requirement for new Medicare enrolees only. It would be nice to hear from someone who enrolled into Medicare in 2022 or 2023 while using Sutter network. But anyway I still have ~8 years to Medicare and most likely there are many changes ahead.

 

[pacergal]

I read the article also.

We have Kaiser Advantage. Kaiser is a big network in the PNW, we can self refer to PT, chiropractor, acupuncture, mental health.
I have had no problems getting referrals to specialists with our PCP.

The best thing to do is to start exploring, learning about what is available and choose a plan that fits your lifestyle, budget, etc.

It is all individual decision and choice.

 

[Peter]

This is great that you manage to stay with original Medicare. According to the information I have Advantage is a Sutter's requirement for new Medicare enrolees only.

Not sure I understand this. My wife enrolled in Traditional Medicare plus supplement this past May. Most of her doctors are part of Sutter/PAMF and there haven't been any problems with not accepting Medicare.

 

[Alex The Great]

Not sure I understand this. My wife enrolled in Traditional Medicare plus supplement this past May. Most of her doctors are part of Sutter/PAMF and there haven't been any problems with not accepting Medicare.

Thanks for confirming: it appears my information is incorrect. This is great to hear we still have a choice.