Which Medicare supplement to purchase?

[Thunder_Mountai]

I turn 65 in October, and I'm starting to get solicitations for various supplements to Medicare. I talked to the staff at my doctor's office and they said that most of their patients use United Health Care supplements purchased through AARP. They said both patients and the office are happy with the service and benefits. They did tell me to stay away from Humana.

I'm fit, normal BP, good cholesterol numbers, excellent health and don't take any prescription medications. We spend winters in the Apache Junction area and several weeks hiking and ATVing in rural Utah. Want to make sure that I have the best possible coverage just in case.

[PennyPA]

I had a Plan F with Mutual of Omaha but it was getting way up there in costs ($257/month for 2014) so I switched to a Plan G (Colonial Penn - $135/mo) which covers the same as Plan F except I am responsible for the Part B deductible. Since that's only a one-time fee of $104 (this year), I am saving over $100 a month. I've not had any long hospitalizations yet so I'm not sure how they handle that.

An Advantage Plan is not good for fulltimers and they are going to become more expensive since the govt. is not going to subsidize them as much in the future.

[carp65]

My wife and I are full-timers and we both have AARP supplements. Spent
most of 2010 and part of 2011 in Florida being treated for colorectal cancer
which included chemo, radiation surgery (2). Medicare covered all costs and
the supplement picked up the rest. Never had to pay any out-of-pocket costs.
Wouldn't be without the supplement. Have been treated in numerous hospitals
across the US and never had a problem.

[MFinCA]

I am what I consider to be an expert in Medicare supplements and Medicare Advantage plans. I have been selling and servicing policies for almost 30 years.

Medicare supplement plans are lettered from A through N. They are all the same for each letter plan. A Plan F from United Health Care is the same as a Plan F from Blue Cross/Blue Shield in benefits. They pay the deductibles under Part A & Part B. They pay the co-insurance on Part B. It is pretty much buy it and forget about it. This is government mandated--so you can buy a Plan F with a lower premium and get the same benefits as the higher-priced one. If you want Rx coverage, you have to buy a Part D Medicare Rx plan to go along with your Medicare Supplement.

A Medicare Advantage plan is in lieu of orginal Medicare through a private insurer contracted with Medicare. Each one has to cover everything that original Medicare covers. They typically have a network of physicians and hospitals. Most plans include a Rx plan. The monthly premiums are typically lower than a comparable Medicare Supplement/Rx plan combo.

Each year from October 15th through December 7th is the Annual Election Period. During this time you can make choices to your health and/or drug plan for the coming plan year beginning in January.

There are lots of places to research and find the best plan for you. Medicare.gov is a good place and there are several other privately owned websites that have great resources.

[Gjac]

If you are in good health as you described I would go with one of the Advantage plans, that is your cheapest option. Most have max out of pocket costs of $5600 and you pay $109/mo for it. Also there are options within these plans, the one I have from Wellcare cost an extra $16/mo and I get free Silver Sneakers Program which is a free heath club membership, and dental insurance up to $750/year. I get the money back each month because Wellcare reimburses me up to $20/mo for over the counter medication's( allergy pills, cough medicine, tooth paste etc.) I have had 3 advantage plans since I retired and they change from year to year because they are in competition with other insurance companies so there is no "best plan" forever, you must reevaluate from year to year.

[Charlie_D_]

My FIL was using the VA for his needs and had Medicare Part B. When he was suddenly placed in a nursing home I found that the VA would no longer cover his medications. Not knowing what to do I called Medicare, gave them his medication list and they suggested the best plan for his needs. He was not penalized because he was going through a "sudden life change".

Suggest you call them. They were very helpful. They are available 24/7.

[bsinmich]

The plans do not vary from state to state. A plan with the same letter has the same benefits in all states. There is also a high deductible F available from some companies with a much lower premium. The deductible is set each year by the Govt. so it is also the same with all companies. After the deductible it is like any other Plan F. I dislike anything with AARP in it because they always get their cut first. I can usually beat AARP rates by a few bucks. I sell this in Mich.

[KLO]

My husband and I both have one not mentioned so far, Mutual of Omaha. He had this for several years before needing it but oh boy have we needed it the past 5 years. We have had very good coverage with it and one SNF center told us that AARP and Mutual of Omaha were some of the best for paying claims.

[BB_TX]

Good description of plan F.

[rocmoc]

Just enrolled in United Healthcare Plan F effective this month.

rocmoc n AZ/Mexico

[Thunder_Mountai]

Thanks for the comments. I'm so confused about the different plans, especially Plan F. Glad I've got some time to read and compare benefits.

[JEBar]

Thunder Mountain wrote:
I talked to the staff at my doctor's office and they said that most of their patients use United Health Care supplements purchased through AARP. They said both patients and the office are happy with the service and benefits. They did tell me to stay away from Humana.

we have been enrolled in the United Health Care PPO since January 1 .... so far, so good .... prior to that we had Medicare as our primary coverage and secondary coverage through Blue Cross Blue Shield .... our problems with that coverage were with Medicare, not with Blue Cross .... we found that in our area many providers were no longer taking patients who had Medicare as their primary coverage .... I don't know if that still is the case

Jim

[raindove]

I don't understand the plans and how they vary from state to state.

We are in PA. DH has Medigap Blue, Plan F. He needed a good policy, as he is on dialysis and waiting for a transplant. We've been very happy with this plan.

[ed6713]

The Medicare website has a great, free comparison tool designed to answer your question. It rates different providers by region. Quality, user satisfaction, cost.
Check it out.

[Leeblev]

I chose United Healthcare through AARP, plan "F". I have had this plan for almost 10 years and never once had a problem with acceptance or pay. I have used it on the road a few times and was never questioned. You do have to remember that the supplemental plans ONLY WORK WHEN MEDICARE ACCEPTS THE CHARGE. In my case, I have Medicare pass on the rest of the bill to the supplemental plan and the only issues arise when the MD or Hosp. tries to bill the supplemental directly. It is quickly fixed. So far, I have not had to pay out of pocket for anything I have had done, and I have had several hospitalizations and surgeries.
I am happy with my plan.