Medicare Advantage- Supplemental-Medigap Insurance Plans

[rondeb]

We have a Medicare HMO plan of which we would like to switch to another plan that is a little more friendly to those of us that leave their home for 5 or more months at a time.

I understand that each location has different plans available, however some of the plans will be available in all states if the company is doing business there.

What programs are you guys using. Are you happy with it. I am aware that a lot of the plans are going to go away this next year do to Obamacare, but I am just trying to get as much information as I can ahead of the time.


Thanks for any input you can give.

[Atlee]

This exactly what we are going to do. Plan F & the cheapest Part D we could get. And for the same reasons.

NCWriter wrote:
Another vote for Plan F, Supplemental coverage, mine through Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina. The agent referred to Plan F as "the Cadillac," and I can see why now. I am really happy with it so far (six months) compared to my initial Advantage. Yes, there is a monthly payment, but no co-pays. See any doctor you choose who accepts Medicare. Seems to be covering everything.

I only take one cheap drug, so I got AARP's United Healthcare Part D bare bones plan for $15 a month. I'd be better off with no Part D currently, but apparently you may pay a penalty if you don't begin with it and later opt for it.

[sprinkles]

rondeb wrote:

What programs are you guys using. Are you happy with it. I am aware that a lot of the plans are going to go away this next year do to Obamacare, but I am just trying to get as much information as I can ahead of the time.

I got the quote of my medicare supplement plan f online. No problems so far and totally contented with the service.

[Tom_N]

MickeyBrennan wrote:

Tom N wrote:
I have a Medicare PPO Advantage plan with Blue Cross Blue Shield.

The PPO plan has much greater coverage when we travel.

X 2 If you choose the right plan it even covers you in foreign countries.

X 3. If you chose the right Advantage Plan (Medicare Plan C) you may even get money back every month added to you SS check. My wife and I each got $8 a month back for 2 years.

-Tom

[Mike_and_Trish]

We are up for new insurance next year, as our insurer (Aetna) has already notified us that they won't offer the AARP plan we're on in Delaware after 1/1/14. (We're still a few years short of Medicare.)

From what I can see, there is little point in shopping for new medical insurance between now and October 1, when the new plans are supposed to be announced. You could end up switching now, then again in 6 months.

[LarryJM]

marspec wrote:

obgraham wrote:
Rondeb:
Snip
Most distressing to me is that TriCare, which is what most Vets (those we owe the MOST to!) is such a lousy outfit for the docs to deal with, so many don't take it.

If you are eligible, Tricare for Life is free (for now anyway). Doctors, hospitals, etc that accept Medicare have no problem as there is no extra paperwork. Medicare forwards claim to Tricare after processing and Tricare pays the 20 percent. You just have to make sure the provider realizes it is Tricare for Life. We haven't had a problem in the eight years we've been using it.

I also have TCFL and as you correctly stated TCFL is basically a free Medicare Supplemental insurance with the only requirement is that you have to be signed up for Medicare Part B. As I understand it any of the commercial supplemental plans require you to carry all the Medicare parts anyway and then pay their premium. From all I have read if you are Tricare eligible then going the TCFL option is the most cost effective and best option for any supplemental Medicare insurance.

Even with my Tricare Prime I didn't find any issues with coverage or doctor availablity in the 20+ years I used it before becoming TCFL and Medicare eligible.

Larry

[obgraham]

Rondeb:

If you go here:

Washington plans

You can see and compare Washington State plans. There are several plan F's. We are pleased with our Premera Plan F.

[marspec]

obgraham wrote:
Rondeb:
Snip
Most distressing to me is that TriCare, which is what most Vets (those we owe the MOST to!) is such a lousy outfit for the docs to deal with, so many don't take it.

If you are eligible, Tricare for Life is free (for now anyway). Doctors, hospitals, etc that accept Medicare have no problem as there is no extra paperwork. Medicare forwards claim to Tricare after processing and Tricare pays the 20 percent. You just have to make sure the provider realizes it is Tricare for Life. We haven't had a problem in the eight years we've been using it.

[MickeyBrennan]

Tom N wrote:
I have a Medicare PPO Advantage plan with Blue Cross Blue Shield.

The PPO plan has much greater coverage when we travel.

X 2 If you choose the right plan it even covers you in foreign countries.

[Dog_Trainer]

My DW has a supplemental through BC/BS that costs $122.00 per month. Also she has the plan d drug coverage for an additional 85.00 per month. So total cost is just over $200.00 per month. We rarely pay any out of pocket costs. I have a veterans disability of over 50% so all my costs are picked up by the VA and medicare.

[rondeb]

Thanks for all the information. It will take a while to go through all this. We have a Medicare Advantage HMO right Now. We want to switch to a plan that allows us to go to any doctor and in any state. The United Health seems to be something to look at.

Trying to find the Supplemental Like the F plans in Washington has been a major problem. An maybe there is just one available. Doesn't seem right


Thanks for the info

[Tom_N]

What is a Medicare Advantage Plan (Part C)?

A Medicare Advantage Plan (like an HMO or PPO) is another Medicare health plan choice you may have as part of Medicare. Medicare Advantage Plans, sometimes called “Part C” or “MA Plans,” are offered by private companies approved by Medicare.

If you join a Medicare Advantage Plan, the plan will provide all of your Part A (Hospital Insurance) and Part B (Medical Insurance) coverage. Medicare Advantage Plans may offer extra coverage, such as vision, hearing, dental, and/or health and wellness programs. Most include Medicare prescription drug coverage (Part D).

Medicare pays a fixed amount for your care every month to the companies offering Medicare Advantage Plans. These companies must follow rules set by Medicare. However, each Medicare Advantage Plan can charge different out-of-pocket costs and have different rules for how you get services (like whether you need a referral to see a specialist or if you have to go to only doctors, facilities, or suppliers that belong to the plan for non?emergency or non-urgent care). These rules can change each year.
Different Types of Medicare Advantage Plans

Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) Plans
Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) Plans
Private Fee-for-Service (PFFS) Plans
Special Needs Plans (SNP)

[Tom_N]

If rondeb has a Medicare HMO plan that falls under PLAN C. PLAN C is an Advantage Plan and is private insurance. He is not covered under regular Medicare. Medicare pays his private insurance company what it cost for regular Medicare coverage.

This is what I have a Plan C Advantage plan under Highmark Blue Cross Blue Sheild PPO.

There is no supplement when on an Advantage Plan C so most of the replies are not pertinent to rondeb's question.

For rondeb to have coverage in areas outside his home area he has to change from a HMO to a PPO Advantage Plan. Read Plan C on the Medicare website.

-Tom

[NCWriter]

Another vote for Plan F, Supplemental coverage, mine through Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina. The agent referred to Plan F as "the Cadillac," and I can see why now. I am really happy with it so far (six months) compared to my initial Advantage. Yes, there is a monthly payment, but no co-pays. See any doctor you choose who accepts Medicare. Seems to be covering everything.

I only take one cheap drug, so I got AARP's United Healthcare Part D bare bones plan for $15 a month. I'd be better off with no Part D currently, but apparently you may pay a penalty if you don't begin with it and later opt for it.

[Dixiechick]

We have Plan F with United Health Care offered through AARP. It covers us pretty much wherever we go.