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We've both had Plan G since turning 65, and have never understood why Plan F is so much more popular. F & G are virtually identical, except that Plan G does not cover the Medicare Part B deductible, currently $147/year. The difference in premiums more than covers the deductible, with a nice bit of pocket change left over.
I just signed up for AARP's Plan F, which will go into effect on the first of December. It's true that G is virtually identical, but I decided it was worth a little extra money to me not to have to #!@& around with deductibles.
Here's another reason: Even though Plan F is more expensive, it's still about $770 less per month than what I was paying for Kaiser! I got hit with the highest possible rate because I was an early retiree not covered by an employee retirement plan, and I had to pay 100% of the premium out of pocket.
I just signed up for AARP's Plan F, which will go into effect on the first of December. It's true that G is virtually identical, but I decided it was worth a little extra money to me not to have to #!@& around with deductibles.
Here's another reason: Even though Plan F is more expensive, it's still about $770 less per month thanwhat I was paying for Kaiser! I got hit with the highest possible rate because I was an early retiree not covered by an employee retirement plan, and I had to pay 100% of the premium out of pocket.
You're comparing apples and oranges there, or maybe apples and elephants would be more like it. What you were paying for health insurance BEFORE you were eligible for Medicare (and you were paying the full freight!) has nothing to do with any sort of plan once you are enrolled in Medicare, including Kaiser Medicare Advantage Plans. Medicare is worth a hell of a lot to its enrollees, make no mistake about it.
I'm not sure which of those medigap plans this would be equivalent to, but DH and I have Medicare with a federal employees Blue Cross/BlueShield policy as a secondary insurance. The BC/BS customer service folks corrected me when I called it a medigap policy. It includes a prescription drug plan, and the premiums are approximately $450/month for the "family" plan- includes DH and me. We have no out of pocket expenses other than the premiums, and for prescription drug copays.
I don't have Medicare yet but husband has Medicare B with same Fed Employee BCBS as travelassie.
We stayed away from the Advantage plans too. They looked good in the brochures then I was in my doctor's office and they had a big sign stating they did not accept Advantage plans from companies listed. WHEW, glad I saw that before jumping aboard.
Hubby and I both have Medicare F not the high deductible and we both have a Medigap policy.
It works as we both have had surgery and our Medicare along with our Medigap F paid it all.
There are already many doctors or health care providers and also hospitals that do not accept Advantage plan's payment terms and will not agree to treat you. I understand the number of doctors and hospitals unwilling to accept Advantage are growing. When I need health care - I do NOT want that kind of BS and hassle! It sounds like you don't either...
There are already many doctors or health care providers and also hospitals that do not accept Advantage plan's payment terms and will not agree to treat you. I understand the number of doctors and hospitals unwilling to accept Advantage are growing. When I need health care - I do NOT want that kind of BS and hassle!
It depends on your location and especially the companies offering the Advantage plans.
Some Advantage plans are very good. But there are a few rotten apples around (AARP/UHC for one) that gives the entire Advantage plan area a bad name. One would think that Medicare would refuse funding/dealing with them because of their mistreatment of those enrolled in Medicare.
I have none and have no intention of ever getting one
Please explain why, and please tell whether you have reached age 65 yet. Without that information, your post doesn't make any sense and leads only to head scratching and puzzlement. Do you mean that you are on original Medicare and prefer to pay your percentages due rather than pay a monthly premium for a Medigap policy? That is one approach, and an argument can be made for it, and it would make your post make sense.
Do you mean that you have employer provided medical care for life and so you don't need a Medigap policy to supplement that? That would also make sense.
Do you mean you aren't 65 yet, in which case of course you can't have one? That would make sense out of the first part of your sentence.
It depends on your location and especially the companies offering the Advantage plans.
Some Advantage plans are very good. But there are a few rotten apples around (AARP/UHC for one) that gives the entire Advantage plan area a bad name. One would think that Medicare would refuse funding/dealing with them because of their mistreatment of those enrolled in Medicare.
True! The AARP United Healthcare Advantage Plans have a really bad reputation. I'm guessing that AARP is sucking profits out of those plans and therefore the plans' services to doctors and health care providers and hospitals are recognized to be nothing short of terrible.
You're comparing apples and oranges there, or maybe apples and elephants would be more like it. What you were paying for health insurance BEFORE you were eligible for Medicare (and you were paying the full freight!) has nothing to do with any sort of plan once you are enrolled in Medicare, including Kaiser Medicare Advantage Plans. Medicare is worth a hell of a lot to its enrollees, make no mistake about it.
Yes, Escort Rider, I realize that the plan I had was totally different from Medicare and that now I am sharing the cost with the government instead of paying full freight. I only meant to compare the before-and-after price difference, which is huge. Had I remained with Kaiser on their Medicare Advantage Plan, the cost would have gone down even more, but I just don't care for Kaiser and wanted to go back to a traditional plan.
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