Some data on MA vs Medicare enrollment

[MichaelB]

This is an interesting short analysis by KFF of the breakdown of traditional Medicare vs Medicare Advantage for new enrollments. Just under 1/3 choose MA when first eligible, but it varies widely across the country. Lots of data, broken down by demographic. https://www.kff.org/medicare/issue-...eB-HeFIJMHBtvjoUrPrfDkO3huiABg&_hsmi=73475680

 

[steelyman]

Thanks for posting, it’s interesting. The article focuses on Medicare Advantage as advertised in the title but I didn’t see any reference to Medigap/supplements. I wonder if those were just left out or are considered part of Traditional Medicare?

My still-incomplete understanding of the system is that a major choice on turning 65 is Advantage vs Supplement.

 

[MichaelB]

Thanks for posting, it’s interesting. The article focuses on Medicare Advantage as advertised in the title but I didn’t see any reference to Medigap/supplements. I wonder if those were just left out or are considered part of Traditional Medicare?

My still-incomplete understanding of the system is that a major choice on turning 65 is Advantage vs Supplement.

Here’s some KFF data on MediGap https://www.kff.org/medicare/issue-...-and-consumer-protections-vary-across-states/

One in four people in traditional Medicare (25 percent) had private, supplemental health insurance in 2015—also known as Medigap—to help cover their Medicare deductibles and cost-sharing requirements, as well as protect themselves against catastrophic expenses for Medicare-covered services.

So, that means 29% choose Medicare Advantage, 18% choose traditional Medicare with MediGap, 24% have traditional Medicare with employer paid MediGap, 13% have traditional Medicare with Medicaid, and 16% have only Medicare A and B.

 

[ivinsfan]

I personally see the numbers starting to switch towards MA with a not so subtle push from the government. I believe the powers that be have decided MA is the wave of the future.By that I mean the government and the insurance companies want to write MA policies.

The 24% with employer paid, I would be surprised if everyone has Medigap, I bet more then a few have a MA plan.

 

[steelyman]

Here’s some KFF data on MediGap https://www.kff.org/medicare/issue-...-and-consumer-protections-vary-across-states/




So, that means 29% choose Medicare Advantage, 18% choose traditional Medicare with MediGap, 24% have traditional Medicare with employer paid MediGap, 13% have traditional Medicare with Medicaid, and 16% have only Medicare A and B.

Thanks again!

And, for my Daily Double, I’ve just signed up for some KFF email offerings.

 

[steelyman]

The 24% with employer paid, I would be surprised if everyone has Medigap, I bet more then a few have a MA plan.

That will be the case for me when the time comes (assuming no changes from employer’s current setup, a big assumption).

 

[MichaelB]

The 24% with employer paid, I would be surprised if everyone has Medigap, I bet more then a few have a MA plan.

The analysis states the 24% is just Medicare Supplemental plans. No doubt some of the 29% of Medicare Advantage is also employer paid, but it’s not broken out.

 

[copyright1997reloaded]

Not to derail the thread, but does anyone have a good source comparing average Medigap pricing by state?

I ask this because for fun (I am a few years away) I compared prices in NY (where I currently reside) and TN (one of many states I cam considering post retirement) and the prices were dramatically different. What I am trying to better understand is how much of that is due to NY's community rated pricing vs how much is just due to a higher COL location.

 

[REWahoo]

Not to derail the thread, but does anyone have a good source comparing average Medigap pricing by state?

I'm not aware of anywhere to get state-by-state comparisons, but this site will let you get a quick quote of Medicap costs by individual zip code and age. https://www.bestmedicaresupplement.com/

 

[copyright1997reloaded]

I'm not aware of anywhere to get state-by-state comparisons, but this site will let you get a quick quote of Medicap costs by individual zip code and age. https://www.bestmedicaresupplement.com/

Thank you. I just did a search using my zip and a random knoxville TN zip....about $100 less per month for the typical plan F in TN.

 

[copyright1997reloaded]

Found this interesting chart at the howmuch.net site:
https://howmuch.net/articles/medigap-plan-costs

Chart: