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I am in the prosess of choosing a supplemental insurance to go along with my medicare and wondering what others had and liked and maybe have and dislike.
Under consideration right now I am looking at ones with
Humana - very pleasant and easy to understand person on phone and assured me I will receive some information to look over within 10 days.
Aetna - husband is using this one and the plan he chose has a very high deductible but no monthly premium
AARP - person on phone - when I called just to have information sent to me so that I could study it-was so fast talking and high pitched and shrill voice I could only understand maybe a third of what she said - She kept asking for my birthdate when all I wanted was some information to read over - I ended up hanging up - perhaps will call them back later and get another person who will be easier to understand.
Martins Point - not tending to want this, as it is an HMO and you have to go to the Drs that are in their group and always have a referral for any specialist.
I am not taking any prescriptions right now so that isn't an issue
Any help or advice is appreciated.
Last edited by Newdaawn; 01-27-2012 at 11:39 AM..
Reason: addition
Hi Have you tried yet going on the Medicare.gov website to compare medigap plans in your area? I copied and pasted the link here, just in case it does not work just go to Medicare.gov
and then select Medigap Plans enter your zip code in Bangor.
You can compare plans by monthly premiums , or annual costs etc. And compare Part D Drug plan options too.
You can also contact your local area on aging in Bangor Maine and speak withbor make an appt. To meet with a local State Health Insurance (SHIP) volunteer counselor about medigap plans serving your area.
if you have time to browse around the site, it also also allows you to compare the quality of care for hospitals, nursing homes, and home health Agencies.
Best wishes from future Mainah, looking to move to Maine when I can finally retire .
I like the one I have - Anthem Blue Cross. Along with being free to me with full prescription coverage as a retirement benefit, it's a national PPO which means I can access providers anywhere like a fee-for-service plan with benefits of full coverage in conjunction with Medicare. I have no co-pays, gaps, donut holes or any other bothersome things and no premium either. Hurt me some more!
If affordable I think the high end Medigaps are decidedly the way to go. The fewer out-of-pocket expenses the better. Depending upon location, Medicare Advantage HMO plans are also an attractive option as they do cover out-of-area urgently needed and emergency care.
In the end, it all depends upon what's available to you and affordable. One size doesn't fit all.
I like the one I have - Anthem Blue Cross. Along with being free to me with full prescription coverage as a retirement benefit, it's a national PPO which means I can access providers anywhere like a fee-for-service plan with benefits of full coverage in conjunction with Medicare. I have no co-pays, gaps, donut holes or any other bothersome things and no premium either. Hurt me some more!
If affordable I think the high end Medigaps are decidedly the way to go. The fewer out-of-pocket expenses the better. Depending upon location, Medicare Advantage HMO plans are also an attractive option as they do cover out-of-area urgently needed and emergency care.
In the end, it all depends upon what's available to you and affordable. One size doesn't fit all.
Not being of Medicare age yet, I'm trying to learn all I can (everything will have changed by then lol).
What I don't get is why some folks have good supplemental policies and pay no premiums. Is this because it's tied to a pension? Other reasons?
Not being of Medicare age yet, I'm trying to learn all I can (everything will have changed by then lol).
What I don't get is why some folks have good supplemental policies and pay no premiums. Is this because it's tied to a pension? Other reasons?
Yes, it's tied to a pension which is something that's fast disappearing in workplace America. Some of us are grandfathered in and fortunately, the Supreme Court has already ruled that our benefits constitute a binding contract that can't be changed. I do have concerns down the line for friends and family who won't have the same options.
Please let me clarify something. What you are calling a Supplement or Medigap is really "Medicare Advantage Plans". These plans are private Companies that manages your Medicare for you. "Supplements" is same as "Medigap" and they are an insurance that works with basic Medicare to help fill in the amount that Medicare does not pay.
Get the free book, published by Medicare "Medicare and You". This will help you understand the difference in the two. You must be well educated on this subject before making a decision on a plan that fits you. There is to be great changes in Medicare Advantage Plans, in the next few years, as the Government begins to withdraw the incentives to these private Co's.
What is the most expensive in premiums, is the Supplement Plans, but if you are a person with lots of health issues this could be cheaper and safer way to go.
Please let me clarify something. What you are calling a Supplement or Medigap is really "Medicare Advantage Plans". These plans are private Companies that manages your Medicare for you. "Supplements" is same as "Medigap" and they are an insurance that works with basic Medicare to help fill in the amount that Medicare does not pay.
Get the free book, published by Medicare "Medicare and You". This will help you understand the difference in the two. You must be well educated on this subject before making a decision on a plan that fits you. There is to be great changes in Medicare Advantage Plans, in the next few years, as the Government begins to withdraw the incentives to these private Co's.
What is the most expensive in premiums, is the Supplement Plans, but if you are a person with lots of health issues this could be cheaper and safer way to go.
Supplements, also called Medigap pollicies, are NOT Medicare Advantage plans. They are for those who choose to remain on fee-for-service Medicare whereas an Advantage plan is a HMO that is paid a certain amount every month by Medicare (capitated) to provide all Medicare approved services. They often/usually provide additional services as well. However, they are not available everywhere.
My wife (who retired from the medical field) did quite a bit of checking on supplement plans (as in addition to Medicare) for her mother, sister, and brother. The main thing she found was that no single plan was the best for all. Each plan had its plusses and minuses. Her conclusion was that each person had to look at their specific needs and select the plan that best fit their specific needs. Remember, not all plans are available everywhere.
She also spent time looking at drug plans which are for drugs only that are not covered under Medicare and/or supplement plans. Once agian she found it was dependent on the persons specific needs.
It is also quite common for people to change supplement/drug plans every year due to changing costs and their needs.
Bottom line, one size does not fit all.
Last edited by accufitgolf; 01-28-2012 at 08:17 AM..
Thanks for the help and information - I think the Gov. has tried to make this as complicated as possible for us which is no surprize to me. I have had very few health problems through the years and those that I had were minor. I am still checking things out but need to make a decision by the end of February. I was covered until the end of Dec. 2011 by my husbands former employer who was paying 100% for the things that Medicare didn't cover. It was great but now they are no longer able to afford offering that.
I was covered until the end of Dec. 2011 by my husbands former employer who was paying 100% for the things that Medicare didn't cover. It was great but now they are no longer able to afford offering that.
Neither do Medigap and Advantage plans, as a general rule.
Supplement/Medigap plans can pretty much eliminate your medical expenses for Medicare approved costs by paying for copays and excess charges. NonMedicare approved charges are on you.
Last edited by Ariadne22; 01-28-2012 at 11:44 AM..
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