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I've had the AARP UH Medicare Advantage plan for the past year, while my wife has had an AARP UH Medicare Supplement plan. Her MS plan costs about $170 per month, but, my MA plan has deductibles (prescription, ofc/lab/hospital) that the MS plan doesn't have. I've also got fewer doctor/hospital options in the area under MA, while she has no limitations under MS. We are both in pretty good health, with few requirements for medical healthcare. Under the status-quo, it seems like I am saving almost $2K per year.
However, as we all know, all of these Medicare plans are ridiculously complicated by double-talk and specialized terms. Our concern is that if I did have a serious medical care need, I might lose all of the perceived "advantages" of the Advantage plan. We can afford MS plans for both of us ... and I'm wondering if the peace-of-mind might not make that a viable option, as I approach the end of my 1-year 'lookback' period
Florida is a really big state. First thing I'd do is compare local PPO networks among the 3 plans you mentioned - especially when it comes to any specialists you need (or think you might need in the future). Robyn
I've had the AARP UH Medicare Advantage plan for the past year, while my wife has had an AARP UH Medicare Supplement plan. Her MS plan costs about $170 per month, but, my MA plan has deductibles (prescription, ofc/lab/hospital) that the MS plan doesn't have. I've also got fewer doctor/hospital options in the area under MA, while she has no limitations under MS. We are both in pretty good health, with few requirements for medical healthcare. Under the status-quo, it seems like I am saving almost $2K per year.
However, as we all know, all of these Medicare plans are ridiculously complicated by double-talk and specialized terms. Our concern is that if I did have a serious medical care need, I might lose all of the perceived "advantages" of the Advantage plan. We can afford MS plans for both of us ... and I'm wondering if the peace-of-mind might not make that a viable option, as I approach the end of my 1-year 'lookback' period
I just ran across this earlier post, while again thinking about switching over to a UHC Medicare supplement plan -- from my zero premium, Florida Humana Advantage plan. I've had Advantage plans (now Humana) for 6-7 years. My wife has had a UHC supplement plan for about 10-years, for which we pay about $225 per month ($225 x 12 x 10 = $27K in premiums).
Fortunately, we're both in good health and neither of us have had much in the way of health issues. Still, I'm getting older and wondering if I would be as satisfied with the HA plan if/when my health worsened. (Cost isn't really an issue, but, all things being equal, why pay an added $2700 per year in premiums... without a significant advantage).
I just ran across this earlier post, while again thinking about switching over to a UHC Medicare supplement plan -- from my zero premium, Florida Humana Advantage plan. I've had Advantage plans (now Humana) for 6-7 years. My wife has had a UHC supplement plan for about 10-years, for which we pay about $225 per month ($225 x 12 x 10 = $27K in premiums).
Fortunately, we're both in good health and neither of us have had much in the way of health issues. Still, I'm getting older and wondering if I would be as satisfied with the HA plan if/when my health worsened. (Cost isn't really an issue, but, all things being equal, why pay an added $2700 per year in premiums... without a significant advantage).
Any thoughts?
In the event you didn't see this posted today on another thread, here it is again:
Quote:
Originally Posted by Ariadne22
Provider networks and oversight described by the OP are the two biggest drawbacks to an Advantage plan. Oversight in particular varies a lot by insurer and, for some strange reason, location. Copays can also become an issue for those requiring a lot of care and/or rehab, not to mention once again the oversight/approval/denial issues.
For those wanting to avoid the Advantage pitfalls of network/oversight/copays and not wanting the higher price of a regular Medigap, consider purchasing a high-deductible Medigap F - for half to a third of the price of a full Medigap. Medicare continues to pay its 80%, you are responsible for the remaining 20% up to a maximum deductible of $2,300. Because Medicare reimbursements are so low, in a normal year a healthy person won't come anywhere near to paying that deductible. Once the deductible is met, between Medicare and the high-deductible F, Medicare-allowed services are paid 100%.
I've had a high-deductible F plan, as do others on this forum in other states. Avoids the high premium, still provides all provider and care flexibility and risk mitigation without the high premium.
You can't purchase a Medigap, however, if you are enrolled in an Advantage plan. Advantage, however, does have an annual disenrollment period January 1-February 14th wherein you can request disenrollment and return to Original Medicare. Once that is accomplished, you can then proceed to enroll in a Medigap. You are still within that window. If your health is good and you can pass Medigap underwriting, now would be the time. Otherwise, you will need to wait until next Open Enrollment in October to disenroll from Advantage effective January 2020.
Quote:
Medicare Advantage Disenrollment Period
Medicare Advantage plan enrollees have an annual opportunity to disenroll from their plan and return to Original Medicare between January 1 and February 14 of every year. The effective date of a disenrollment request made during the Medicare Advantage Disenrollment Period will be the first of the month following the Medicare Advantage Plan’s receipt of the disenrollment request. A request made in January will be effective February 1, and a request made in February will be effective March 1. The Medicare Advantage Disenrollment Period does not provide an opportunity to join or switch Medicare Advantage plans.
Your Advantage carrier's Evidence of Coverage should provide detailed instructions on how to disenroll between January 1-February 14, or call them.
Last edited by Ariadne22; 01-20-2019 at 07:56 PM..
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