Poll: Medicare users - what type of plan(s) do you use?

[athena53]

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.

 

[REWahoo]

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.

 

[Kimo]

Plan G

 

[Lawrence of Suburbia]

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.

 

[frank]

look at the poll and it should point you to the right decision.

 

[MichaelB]

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/forums/f38/how-does-medicare-work-86476.html

 

[Moemg]

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 .

 

[NoMoreJob]

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.

 

[CRLLS]

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.

 

[omni550]

Plan G

+1

omni

 

[mickeyd]

No option for me.


Parts A&B and Tricare-for-Life

 

[Car-Guy]

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!

 

[wmc1000]

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.

 

[REWahoo]

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.

 

[MBSC]

Would like to see a G - HD come available in 2020.

See below.

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/committees_b_senior_issues_170201_medigap_faq.pdf

 

[wmc1000]

MBSC that is terrific news - Thanks!

 

[REWahoo]

MBSC that is terrific news - Thanks!

+1

 

[Tom52]

I start Medicare on Dec. 1st. I signed up for D & F. When DW goes on Medicare in about 15 months she will also sign up for D and F. We consulted with a shiip counselor who advised there is no evidence to assume premiums will increase faster for F plans due to aging of the closed plan. We were told there are previous plans such as E that are closed and rate increases have remained consistent compared to open plans. We were also told that Advantage plans in our area have limited networks that might limit doctor choices compared to F plans. Shiip counseler said the F plans are the most popular in our area by a wide margin.