Seniors, what type of supplemental insurance do you have with your medicare?

Question

In December I will finally be eligible for medicare. I already can see it sure is going to be much better & less expensive than the private healthcare plan I'm on now. It's very expensive when you're 64, they sock it to you. What kind of supplemental insurance is good to get? I want to make sure I get the correct one, because from what I'm reading it looks like you can't switch to something better once you're on it for six months.

Answer 1

We have United Health Care (AARP-affiliated) since it was a good price for a supplement with the discounts they offer for the first 5 years, and they offered a *wide* range of individual plans (currently Plans A through N**) to choose from.

We did not want Medicare "Advantage" because there are significant disadvantages (which they won't tell you about) including if wanting to go back to a supplement it can be done only once a year and even then in most states you'd usually have to may be subject to additional “underwriting” (which is evaluating your previous health, etc, and you may "pass" or not, or have higher rates).

And we did not want an HMO because the doc's and hospitals you can go to are limited to that particular HMO's docs/hospitals/locations, a "referral" is needed from your primary care doctor before you'd be "allowed" to go to a specialist (and they may not give it), etc. At least in this area, the main HMO is the best in the country...but elsewhere they vary a lot in quality.



Having a supplement (Medigap) is the only way to go in my opinion if you want the widest choice of doctors and hospitals, better coverage for all kinds of health issues, less having the company not cover this or that or hassling you about covering it, etc, etc.



Medicare Advantage and HMO's are both private so their intention is to spend the least money they can to increase their own profits.



** http://www.medicaresupplementalinsurance.com/medigap-plans-a-through-n.html



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Answer 2

I am sorta healthy, but over weight. I selected AARP Medicare complete Plan 2 (HMO). I don't go to the doctor very often, but I did get to keep my Primary Health Provider. This plan cost me nothing. I mean, the plan does the paper work, deducts $134 from my social security check each month, but that's all. In return, my two main medications are free. My co-pay if I go in is $20. Each quarter, I get to select from their pamphlet, over the counter medical supplies, $50 worth, free, and delivered to my door. Stuff like Vitamins, cold-flue, band aids, tapes, gauzes, muscle pain creams, sun lotion, they even have diapers, and support hose, and grab bars. In addition, I get to the gym free with the Silver Sneakers program. I was a first afraid I wouldn't like the "AARP" name, but this PLAN C is great, what's not to like? Look at it, try it for a year, if you don't like it, you can certainly change at the next enrollment.

Answer 3

I'm 600 years old. Whats Medicare?

Answer 4

You need to find a represented of the insurance companies to get the one best for your needs. They all have a variety of different companies with different plains, so some may not be what you need for the price but others would be. The representatives are paid by the health insurance foundation, not by the companies themselves. Also, you have the option to switch each year and try another one out if you like. And if I remember correctly, you can switch during the year and don't have to wait for the first of the year. I have actually done that myself. And if you don't get prescription drug coverage with supplement insurance when you get on Medicare, it goes against you later in life when you do finally do get it and you have to pay extra on your premium each month. The extra amount you pay depend on just how long you went without drug prescription coverage before getting it.

Answer 5

Every supplemental plan I researched paid out very little and had premiums that were not commensurate with their payouts. I've had stand alone medicare for 20+ years. Even with my late wife's cancer treatments, no supplemental policy would have paid me even a fraction of their premiums. Save your money in a jar! It will serve you better. Health insurance is a scam!!!

Answer 6

Try Human Medicare Health Advantage. It may cost a little more than some of the other plans, but it's worth it. With Humana, you have no deductibles and you never have to worry about co-pays. Between Humana and Medicare, you won't have any medical bills at all. If you are even hospitalized, Humana will even deliver free to your door two weeks of frozen breakfasts and dinners, packed in dry ice, if you ask for it. (Up to 4 hospital stays in one year).



You can always switch to a different plan. They all have open enrollment once every year, when you can make whatever changes you want.



I have Humana. About 3 years ago, I was hospitalized for 4 days with a heart attack. My entire bill came to over $70,000. That included ambulance transport, hospital, lab, cardiologist. It didn't cost me a cent. Humana and Medicare paid every cent of it.



I suppose I should add that Human Medicare Advantage is provided free to me as part of my retirement package from the State, as is a prescription drug plan with a once yearly $50 deductible and co-pays depending upon the type of medication. I use a Spiriva Inhaler. Without any drug plan, it would cost me $300 for a one-month supply. With the drug plan, it costs me only $45/month.

Answer 7

We have Blue Care Network Advantage as my husband is a UAW retiree. It works well but we still try to stay healthy so we don't have to use it!

Answer 8

In Australia Medicare is free, I've had open heart surgery with a replacement heart valve, been in hospital many times since, had the best surgeons and best of care and it's cost me nothing.

Answer 9

All my health care is free.

Answer 10

I have Medicare Advantage. It is cheaper than straight Medicare and most doctors where I live wont take Medicare without the Medigap which I cant afford. You have to buy a Medigap that is available where you live. Look at the Medicare Plan Finder. You are confused.



This link to Medicare's site explains about changing Medigap plans.

Answer 11

None. I don't believe in going to doctors,, because I will never take drugs, I'd rather die that have to deal with the side effects of those drugs. I could careless when I die, because I won't know that I died, because I'll be dead. cheers!

t is possible to have free health care , When your country does not waste money on military. The US wastes trillions on military and has lost many wars since WW2 look at Korea, Vietnam, the never ending wars in the middle east. wasting trillions with nothing accomplished. all that money could have gone into Healthcare . instead health care insurance companies are making a fortune on American lives

Answer 12

I have Humana rather than medicare, it's a separate parallel medical service to medicare. The money that is taken out of my social security for medicare goes to humana. I don't have a supplemental insurance, my husband who has several health issues still has medicare and a blue cross/blue shield supplement.

Answer 13

I am retired military

Tricare acts as my supplemental policy

Answer 14

I switched from Medicare to a Medicare Advantage program from Blue Cross this year. So far, so good. The premiums remain the same, $104.90 per month.

Answer 15

I have Medicare Part A and B. I supplement with BCBS which I had through my employer - coverage continues in retirement. Between the two I have no medical bills to pay except prescriptions. If I have a name brand drug then I have to pay $105 for the 90 day prescription. Otherwise I pay $10. Unfortunately I've tried the generics for two of my name brand drugs but can't tolerate the side affects.



If I weren't so lazy I'd be looking into alternatives because I know I probably would be paying less if I took the time to research it.



Every year there is an open enrollment period and people switch insurers all the time.

Answer 16

AARP supplemental insurance