Tandem Tom

So as I get close to Medicare,I signed up for it this week, I have some questions! AxvaAdvan Plan or Supplemental? Tell me your reasons for your choice.
Thanks!

bobwysiwyg

What is "AxvaAdvan Plan"

Tandem Tom

Stupid word pick on this tablet! I was asking about Advantage plans.

philbob57

My research several years ago showed that the advantage plans seriously limited doc and hospital choices compared to supplemental plans.

Carbonfiberboy 

In my town, Advantage is definitely the way to go. Good choice, low cost. But it only works in my area. If I traveled a lot or were a snow bird, Supplemental would be the way to go because it works everywhere, though it's more expensive - naturally. You should find an agent who can advise you on your choices - for free. They're paid by the insurance companies.

jppe

canklecat

I managed my mom's medical care until she died recently at 79. (I'm 60, covered by VA, not quite ready for Medicare.) Besides numerous physical disabilities my mom developed dementia and needed a lot of help during her final decade of life.

Medicare offers more choices, which may be important to some folks in some areas. But mom was happy with the hospital and clinics at the local public teaching hospital. So after awhile we decided it was more cost effective to go with a Medicare replacement plan. For the last couple of years of her life she was with Aetna and it worked out really well. Almost no out of pocket costs, from routine office visits to prescriptions to hospitalizations to her final year spent mostly in physical rehab and a nursing home.

With a Medicare supplement mom's copays would have been relatively low for someone with a good income, but she was getting by on SS disability, about $1,000/mo. So even copays of only $5-$20 added up quickly. For her the Aetna Medicare replacement plan was much better.

The one potential downside of a Medicare replacement plan is certain limitations when the patient transitions from independent living with outpatient care and occasional inpatient care, to long term rehab and full time nursing home care. However in mom's case Aetna paid for everything, including her final two weeks in ICU with respiratory distress and hospice.

However, if you have a good retirement income, are in reasonably good health and can manage your own financial and health care needs, and are fortunate to live in an area with plenty of health care choices, you might prefer regular Medicare with a supplement to cover more costs.

If your income is below a certain threshold, you may be eligible for federal and state programs to offset some costs for prescription drugs, and even in-home aides to assist with light housekeeping, bathing, errands and accompaniment to medical appointments. Don't hesitate to apply for those if your health needs or finances change. In some cases a good supplement plan representative will help you apply for any benefits -- it benefits the supplement programs as well, so it's in their best interest as well as your own. Aetna and Wellcare were very good about this with my mom. Helped her recover some money and benefits.

jppe

Tandem Tom

Thanks for all your replies!
This has been quite a learning experience! As for signing up for Medicare I made a trip to the the SSA office and positioned myself first in line before they opened! In and out in 30 minutes and had my card 2 weeks later!
I am working with 3 different agents to get a broad idea. But I am leaning towards a supplement,Medicare F High Deductible, plan. Now I am looking for the least expensive drug plan as I don't take any.

Cuyuna

themp

Tandem Tom said: " But I am leaning towards a supplement,Medicare F High Deductible, plan."

The supplemental plan F(high and regular) are going away in 2020. You can still sign up for these plans till 2020. I was told that since the F plans are going away, that the coverage costs will start going up since no new customers will be added. And over time the number in these plans will diminish because of death and push the costs even higher for plan F. And there does not seem to be any other plan with a high deductible to go to now. Plan G is a good replacement for plan F regular.

Most of the folks I worked with went with an Advantage plan as you pay no premiums. And I think the government pushes Advantage plans, as this takes them out of the picture. I went to a bunch of meetings on what to do last year and when I ask the presenters what plan they had it was always a supplemental. That was my sign and I decided to do Plan G.

BobG

Tom- I've had regular Medicare combined with a United Healthcare plan F (no deductible) and Humana/Walmart part D plan for several years now. They have served me well. Had a heart attack a year ago and never paid any co-pays. That included a helicopter ride to the hospital and 10 weeks of re-hab.

In January the plan F will go up to $200/mo, my part D plan will go up to $30/mo. I recently attended a Medicare informational meeting and was told about the new plan G. The agent said that plan G is identical to plan F except includes a one time $183 co-pay with a lower premium... the $183 co-pay would save in premiums over the course of a year. This being the month for plan changes I have a follow up appointment with the agent next week to discuss my options. He also liked Advantage plans. Unless he gives me the Advantage hard sell I'll keep what I have. Will report back.

Kabuki12

I am not there yet. I have 11 months! Am I counting down? YOU BET!! I currently have Blue Shield and am paying like a mortgage would cost ( like having two houses) . I will use an agent to direct me, he has helped me for many years and I trust him. I have heard that AARP offers good supplemental plans. Joe

JanMM

68 and working and with employer insurance but retiring at the end of December so........have signed with an Advantage plan starting 1/1/19. As has my young 65 y.o. spouse/stoker. Its an HMO setup but lots of providers and hospitals/facilities to choose from. Insurance offshoot of the same healthcare system that I have worked for as an RN for 32 years. Includes drug, dental, vision and Silver and Fit program, which will enable us to cut our YMCA payments from $60 a month for both of us to $50 a year for both of us. Or possibly $0. If we ever become serious and frequent travelers who stay elsewhere for long periods, than we will look into supplemental plans.

BobG

Decided to keep the original Medicare with supplement F. Can't change to plan G after initial enrollment period at age 65 without a medical review. I have preexisting conditions so would fail that review.

Many Advantage plans pay only 20% of radiation and chemotherapy expenses (above what Medicare already covers). "But there is a $6700 annual cap for out of pocket expenses" said the salesman. Yep, that means if you get sick in December you may have to pay two yearly caps if treatment overlaps into the new year. With my medical history I'll keep what I have despite the higher premium.

Tandem Tom

Decided to go with F High Deductible Plan and a cheap drug plan as I don't take anything. I also get my Y membership free. So that is $30 a month that I don't have to pay. Now I am looking at dental and vision plans.

metalheart44

Both my wife and I have supplemental plans rather than the Advantage Option. Both of us have medical histories and conditions where we prefer to have options for choosing physicians that are the best for our needs. While Advantage plans in our area offer some good options, they necessarily limit physicians and facilities. One thing to keep in mind about Advantage plans is that if you enroll in one and then you develop a medical condition and you want to change to a supplemental plan, then you have a "pre-existing condition" that may limit your choices or make it difficult to switch from the Advantage plan. Just something to think about. Medicare offers options that suit a variety of needs, but it is important to understand the present-day and long-term implications of your choices.