Do you belong to a Medicare Advantage Plan?
I am still hesitant whether to keep original Medicare or go into a Medicare Advantage plan. How about you?
I am still hesitant whether to keep original Medicare or go into a Medicare Advantage plan. How about you?
Milton
Favorite Answer
My wife's former job provides a lifetime plan that completes medicare. It costs nothing and we have never had a bill other than an initial co-pay and a small co-pay on medications. Watch out for the replacement of medicare plans. Often, they specify which doctor you can go to and let me tell you, they are not all the same, especially when it comes to specialists. When I need a specialist, I do not want to be sent to someone who has his medical degree from some Internet medical school in Sri Lanka...or Bora-Bora!
Zarnev
There are pros and cons with staying with original Medicare, having a Medicare Supplement, or having a Medicare Advantage plan. Find a local agent that works with both types and also works with all of the major companies in your area. You are not going to get good answers here. It takes me several hours to analyze my clients needs, find the right plans for them, and explain the details of the plans and I know what I'm doing.
Medicare Advantage plans are state and even county specific so it will depend upon your state and county what is available to you. In my state there are some plans only available in one county. In some counties the Advantage plans have a $0 premium. This is very attractive in some situations.
?
The advantage plan is like an HMO or PPO or a network which you choose from. You pay monthly and it is all inclusive. You dont have to buy a separate Part D drug plan or a supplemental insurance plan because those are included in the monthly payment about $125. Medicare reimburses the insurance plan directly. My plan is Kaiser and they have their own hospitals and are in several states with coverage out of state for up to 90 days.
?
For the past five years, since I retired the company I worked for has been supplying medicare supplemental insurance,but that is going to change next year. I will be looking at a lot of plans. It sure can be confusing there are so many different options.
Just Hazel
I have the original Medicare and a good Medigap policy. It's expensive but pays for everything medical that I need. My drug policy (Part D?) does pretty well if I can stick to generics.