Is Original Medicare really so awful?

[NoMoreJob]

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Originally Posted by Calico Excellent outcome!

I think so. Thanks!

[Calico]

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Originally Posted by NoMoreJob I think so. Thanks!

[John Galt III]

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Originally Posted by OldConch JGIII, Have you considered an F HD plan? Same as a plan G but with a $2300 deductible. I plugged an Allentown zip into this website and found an F HD plan for less than $50/month and a Part D plan for less than $20. https://www.ehealthmedicareplans.com/ BTW, this website gives instant quotes based on age and location but doesn't include all available companies.

OldCOnch, thanks for the suggestion. Yes, I have looked at Plan F HD. I don't like the deductible, even though it would lower my premium. My intention at that time, was to go with an AARP UHC Plan N for $97 a month, plus a $17 Plan D. But then the frugality thing got me, and I changed my mind and started thinking about the zero premium MA plans.

[REWahoo]

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Originally Posted by John Galt III My intention at that time, was to go with an AARP UHC Plan N for $97 a month, plus a $17 Plan D.

Your first choice is often the best decision. I think that's the case here.

[MBSC]

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Originally Posted by John Galt III OldCOnch, thanks for the suggestion. Yes, I have looked at Plan F HD. I don't like the deductible, even though it would lower my premium.

The F-HD deductible acts more like an out-of-pocket maximum. With F-HD, Medicare still pays 80%. You pay the remaining 20% of the Medicare approved amount until your 20% (and Part B deductible) totals $2300 (2019). Then F-HD starts paying the 20%.

So, with Medicare Advantage you would be paying copays/coinsurance up to the plan's $6k OOPM. With F-HD, you would be paying coinsurance up to the plan's $2300 OOPM but have access to more providers, such as the Arizona Mayo Clinic mentioned above. With F-HD, you also get to select your Part D plan each year instead of being tied to the MA's drug plan.

[Chuckanut]

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Originally Posted by Calico I am frugal (some say cheap) in most areas of my life, but health insurance is not one of them. It isn't worth the risk.

I agree. I would gladly give up one or two lattes every week to pay for better health insurance. (I don't actually drink the things, but you get my point.) When I was retiring, my then 80+ friend told me "Chuckanut, whatever you do, make sure you sign up for the best health insurance you can afford." For the first 6 years I paid more than I needed to, but now as I see myself waiting for knee replacement surgery and others my age (and often younger, much younger) go through expensive medical treatment, I'm glad I 'lost' money during those years.

Now, if we could just figure out why medicines and medical procedures cost so much money in the USA and are so much cheaper in other 1st world countries, we might be able to worry less about insurance costs.