Should I believe AARP to buy their Medicare supplement plan over Medicare advantage plan?

AARP is a club, not an insurance company. They're not selling you THEIR Medicare plan, they're referring you over to someone ELSE'S plan.

If you're not sure which Medicare Supplemental plan you need, you should probably talk to a local broker near you. The people at the Social Security office aren't licensed to give you insurance advice. Neither is AARP.

Aarp Medicare Supplement

You should not buy from AARP, they are only paid promoters for an insurance company. If you want Medigap insurance you can call any independent insurance agent who knows what is available in the Bay Area.

If you are poor, you should apply for Medi-Cal when you turn 65. If you have a zero share of cost with Medi-Cal it may pay your Part B premium. And you should enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan which includes a Part D plan and you also do not need to buy a Medigap policy separately since Advantage plans include everything. Medicare covers only about 80% of billed charges.

Forget about AARP selling Medigap insurance policies. I am near San Francisco myself. I am in Kaiser Senior Advantage plan with Medicare and Medi-Cal. Kaiser membership is $100 per month and you still have co-payments and co-insurance on the drugs unless you qualify for Medi-Cal. If you did not get Medicare Advantage you would have to buy a Medigap to cover the other 20% of your medical bills that Medicare does not cover. And Medigap insurance costs more than the $100 Kaiser membership.

You should be receiving the Medicare And You Book within 90 days of your 65th birthday or you can check the Medicare website. The book lists all of the insurance plans available for northern California but Kaiser has the highest rating.

It's not that easy. The AARP Supplement is underwritten by United Healthcare. It is a very good plan. However, if there was a best plan for everyone that would be the only plan available and would be the only plan I sell. As it is, every company has a plan that's best for someone somewhere.

It gets very complicated. Listen to neither AARP or Social Security - neither knows what they're talking about in many instances.

Both types are very different. Supplements come in Plans A through N. None have drug coverage so you also need a separate stand alone Part D drug plan. The Advantage plans come in HMO, PPO, HMO/POS, PFFS, SNP, DUAL, MSA, PACE, and Cost plans. Most of these come with drug coverage. Of the Advantage plans that don't have drug coverage some will allow you to get a separate stand alone drug plan while others will not.

Not all types are available in every state or through every company.

You need to visit a local agent that works with all of the major companies in your area. The agent can work with you to find the best plan for your situation and budget. There is no charge using an agent.

This Site Might Help You.

RE:

Should I believe AARP to buy their Medicare supplement plan over Medicare advantage plan?

I am 64 and 4 months old and poor. What Medicare plan should I buy to save money and get sufficient coverages? I am generally healthy, but have a treated prostate cancer in remission.

Comparing AARP Medicare supplement plan and Medicare Advantage plan, which one is better, and more thrifty for...

If you want to get a broader view of your Medicare options, I would suggest that you check first of all with Medicare.gov – the government’s official resource for Medicare enrollees. Medicare.gov will provide you with insight into all the Medicare options available to you, not just those branded and presented by AARP.

Another place to look for comprehensive information is PlanPrescriber.com, where you’ll find some good comparison tools to show you how costs balance out between different Part D plans or Medicare Supplemental plans. You can talk with licensed agents on the phone at PlanPrescriber too.

Best of luck.

I wouldn't believe AARP. It's more interested in selling it's membership list to marketers than doing right by it's members. The Medicare website has excellent information on Medicare supplemental plans, including Medicare Advantage plans. Get your info there.

Are you using the Kaiser Plan? It is by far the best. Plain and simple, no co-pays for anything. You mention you are poor. I am also. I was told to apply for Medi-Cal. I did and they pay my monthly premium for adding Kaiser. Medi-Cal will also pay your Part B monthly co-pay, and same for prescriptions. I pay 2.30 for name brand and 1.10 for generic. These are also 90 day supplies. Hope this helps ya!

I have the plan f- will I still have it after 2020.