Medicare question: Should I choose a Medicare Advantage Plan or go with Medicare and a Supplement?

8 Comments

1. I sell both types through most companies available in my area; the best one for you would depend entirely upon your personal situation.

   A Medicare Supplement has a higher premium, it allows you to see any Medicare doctor, and depending upon the plan will have little if any additional out-of-pocket costs. As mentioned, Plan F is the most popular but there are Plans A through L. A Supplement is federally regulated and is exactly the same from one company to another, so you can buy on price and company strength. You must purchase a separate stand-alone Part D drug plan because none of the Supplements include drug coverage. Again, I sell most Part D plans available in my area and there is no one best plan; the best would again depend upon your personal situation.

   A Medicare Advantage Plan will have a lower premium (some will be at $0), you generally must see a doctor in the network or that will accept the plan, you will have a co-pay when you use medical services. There are several types, which may or may not be available in your area. These types are HMO, PPO, PFFS, SNP, PACE, MSA, DUAL, and Cost. Most will have drug coverage included. Those that do not have drug coverage may or may not allow you to purchase a stand-alone plan. Although these plans are regulated and must follow the Medicare template they can and most do offer services above and beyond what Medicare will pay, such as dental. These plans will vary greatly in not only premium but also in the amount you pay using medical services so sometimes a plan with a small premium will cost you less over the year than a plan with a $0 premium.

   You’ll need to compare all available plans, or find someone that offers both types to do it for you.

2. I signed up with the one that walmart sells – Secure Horizons by United Healthcare. There are no premiums to pay. I don’t understand how it works, but somehow Medicare pays for it. My only copay is office visit $5, Spec/$15 and ER $50. The phone number on the back of the card is 1-866-579-8774 .

   I already had some other health plan which deducted money from my SS check, but there was this ‘sales lady ‘ standing in a booth at Walmart and when I told her how great mine was she said I can give you a policy that has no payment removed from your ss check. She came over to our house showed us all the details, answered all our questions, and we signed up for it. Sounds too good to be true, but so far it has paid everything (including RX) that we have needed.

3. before you invest anymore money on medicare supplements, make sure we are going to still have medicare when the smoke clears with this congress. all the elderly will be getting is a bed and a pain pill.

4. Definitely go with Medicare and a supplement. You will be happier and will have a lot more choices I cant tell you how many times, I’ve had to change clients back to straight medicare after they were unhappy with their HMO. All of the supplementals are pretty close in price for the same coverage. Check out the F supplement plans. They are the most popular

5. Supplementary for sure. Not AARP! Check with Blue Cross, Humana, and others. Call them and they’ll explain your coverages and costs. AARP supports too many lobbyists that don’t benefit seniors.

6. This is an important decision, because both plans have advantages and disadvantages. I would suggest evaluating your needs and what type of medical care you require and comparing this against what the different plans offer.

   In the case of Medicare Advantage Plans, it is very important to be very careful about what plan you go with, because the costs for different medical procedures can vary.

7. Your should be able to find answers to your questions at the following site. Good Luck!

   https://www.medicaresolutions.com/?temp1=385

8. Hi.. Keep share..

   And there are a few tips and info, maybe this can help to determine your options .. Check it out..

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