Medicare Supplemental Insurance

[dramsey1]

Turning 65 next year and starting to look at medicare supplement insurance. We plan to travel a great deal and most supplements that I've seen thus far seem awfully regional specific. Does anyone have any thoughts on a good supplement policy that doesn't tie one down to a certain area?

[OH48Lt]

Talk with a certified advisor that works with multiple companies. He/she will make recommendations based on your particular needs. They do not charge for this service, they get paid by the insurer.

[1995brave]

I turn 65 this year and the phone calls and mailings have started. So tired of two to four calls daily that I just hang up on them. I'm retired military and have Tricare for life. When my wife developed kidney failure we went through Humana for her Medicare coverage. I get monthly statements from Medicare and Tricare on payments, I owe nothing, but I had to pay the bills it would be over 50 thousand per month. When I sign up it will be through Humana, just to keep everything under one company. Tricare also uses Humana Health System.

[Thunder_Mountai]

robbiesgram wrote:
United Healthcare through AARP.

In my opinion, this is the only way to go. Friend who handled the insurance for my employer is two days younger than me enrolled in it. She did the research. I didn't even ask any questions. Just signed up. No regional restrictions. Had total knee replacement. Saw no bills. Had a shoulder rebuild and had to pay around $50 for something or another. I'm sure there are other plans just as good but why look.

The tricky one is the prescription insurance. It is a bit complicated. I'm only on a couple of nasal prescriptions. So, I went with the cheapest program. If I was on major medications, I would have to do some research.

[Captain_Happy]

United of Omaha. So far it's been good everywhere I've been. And I've had it for years now.

[NanciL]

time2roll wrote:

rk911 wrote:
ALL of the Medicare Supplement Plans are standardized and vary only by the premium amount.

What is a premium range for these plans?

It goes according to you age and it raises each year.
I am 81 and mine is $1800 for the year. That is for 100 percent coverage with a $ 150 per year deductable.

My wife is 79 and hers is $1600

But if you search around each year for the ones that are in your state, you can change and get the one with lowest cost.
As someone said above the coverage is governed by the Feds, so with it you can't go wrong.
A few years ago when it made its annual jump we changed insurers to a lower cost one and it went back $ 200.
I think since we both started with it we have been able to keep it quite low by bouncing back and forth between three or four insurers

jack L

[pnichols]

We have used Medicare along with the United Healthcare Plans through AARP for years.

Virtually no paperwork to fill out to use it and .... we walk out of hospital operating rooms, emergency rooms, and doctor's offices owing nothing ... anywhere in the U.S.A. - which is great if you want to travel all over in your RV.

I agree with posters above - it's pretty obvious that we need congress to once again get involved constructively (like they did for Medicare and Supplement Plans) and put the same type of controls in place to create the same kind of national uniformity of coverage for Prescription Drug Plans that we get with Supplement Plans!

[rk911]

time2roll wrote:

rk911 wrote:
ALL of the Medicare Supplement Plans are standardized and vary only by the premium amount.

What is a premium range for these plans?

they vary by provider, the plan and your age. i wanted to stay with Blue Cross/Blue shield as i've had them virtually all of my working life. tremendous custimer service and zero hassle...at least tat's been my experience. i'm paying roughly $150 per month. but you can get quotes online.

[time2roll]

rk911 wrote:
ALL of the Medicare Supplement Plans are standardized and vary only by the premium amount.

What is a premium range for these plans?

[Gonzo42]

Scan Health

[Tom_N]

Depends on your state and county. Consult your Medicare Guide. In the back are all the providers for your location.

[Roadpilot]

We're also United Healthcare via AARP with plan F.

[wgriswold]

Somehow the regular supplement plans were done right. A particular plan is described, I think on the Medicare site, and will be the same with any insurance company. So chose a plan and shop by price.

Contrast that to the drug plans. They all differ by tier, copay, deductible, and formulary at each insurance company. It is very hard to compare various plans.

[Pop-Pop_C]

X2 on the UnitedHealth care thru AARP. USING IT FOR SIX YEARS.. Bee n coast to coast and border to border, north and south. No issues.
Oh, forgot plan F.

[sdianel_-acct_c]

Plan G or F depending on deductible. Look for one that says any doctor or hospital that accepts Medicare. United of Omaha, Humana and Cigna are some companies that offer them. https://www.medicare.gov/find-a-plan/questions/medigap-home.aspx

[Guy_Roan]

wgriswold wrote:
I believe that the ones with regional restrictions are Medicare Advantage plans. These plans sometimes come with dental and prescription coverage but also with the restrictions you mentioned.

I have supplemental plan F which covers me anywhere Medicare is accepted.

Same here, but we have Plan G which has a small deductble.

Don't get an HMO or an advantage plan. Many doctors don't accept them.
Get a regular "Supplement" and you are covered in every state.
I had a knee replacement five years ago that cost 30,000 dollars and it cost me zip.

All these ads you see on TV and get in the mail are not the good supplements.
Our supplement is through Mutual of Omaha, but I don't know if they are in your state

Guy