Open enrollment will start on the 15th and I am sure most of you have witnessed the constant commercials on TV promoting the Medicare Advantage plans. I sold health insurance for many years (now retired) and trust me the insurance companies are pushing the Advantage plan because they make a fortune off of it.

The commercials make the Advantage sound awesome - low or no premiums, prescription plan included, and on and on. Before you sign up I suggest you dig into what all is covered etc. There are some holes in these plans that you should be aware of.

My wife and I have been on a Medicare supplement plan (plan G which is the best) and the Part B prescription coverage for 5 years - the premiums are very reasonable IMO.

So I have no skin in the game other than advising everyone to proceed with caution when you select your coverage. Good luck!

Thanks.

Don't like the fact that Disabled Vets have to pay for Medicare when we hit 65

Wife dug into Medicare this year. She agrees, Advantage plan is not what we want. Thanks

Yep,, Although I did get a shot at WalMart that was covered,

And I've been paying for this cra- for over 30 years, sooo, maybe its a bargain

Thanks for the heads up.

I need to find somebody to give me the Cliff Notes on all of it.

I don't think anyone should have to pay for it after paying in for 45+ years.

I concur.

I agree - find and agent near you who handles Medicare policies to determine what is best for you - everybody's situation is different

'Appreciate the PSA. 'Think the wife is on a supplement plan also.

I gotta switch to a HMO. Oscar really sux big time, plus, you can no longer even understand the off-shore phone personnel...bless their hearts.

I came to exactly the same conclusion four years ago when I started Medicare. I have Part B and then Plan G through Cigna. Four years in, I am quite comfortable that I made the right decision. "Free" sounds really cool, but I cannot envision why someone would not go the supplement route once you have ALL of the facts in front of you.

FWIW, I saw the process as a complex and confusing maze before I got some very solid, accurate guidance and comparison scenarios from AMAC by phone and email.
Link AMAC

Marc

I have the F supplement. What is the difference between that and G?

Plan G has the same benefits as the Plan F, except for coverage for the Part B deductible ($226 for 2023). Once you pay the Part B deductible, the coverage is the same for both plans

If you didn’t become eligible for Medicare until 2020 or later, Plan F won’t be available to you. However, if you were Medicare-eligible before 2020, you can keep or pick up Medigap Plan F.

Plan F does cost more.

I found a local agent who explained everything to me and he put me in Humana Plan G. If I have any problems he is there for support. I have had no problems with them. Because of my wife's past employment she had to go with United which she does not recommend.

I also have a separate prescription plan for about $20 a month.

Also keep in mind that Plan F and G are the only Medigap plans that will cover for Part B excess charges that Medicare does not pay for.

Example: A Doctor charges $1000 for a surgery and Medicare only approves $500 then Plan F and G will pay for those excess charges (80%) while other plans will not pay anything for excess charges.

I also went with plan A & B with a plan G supplement from Philadelphia American and am very happy with the way it has payed. I have several friends that took the "Free Plan C" and they say it doesn't pay very well and they have been out of pocket a whole lot of money.
They are trying to go back to traditional this year.

As mentioned, different areas have different plans. In Comal County Aetna has a Medicare Advantage plan that is slightly cheaper than Humana. Local agent can be helpful.