Medicare Supplement High Deductible Plan F (medical, doctor, Humana, coverage)

[greg92040]

DW and I are currently have a Medigap Plan F. After reading many of the threads on medicare supplement policies, we have decided to switch to a high deductible Plan F. Standard Life and Accident Insurance Monthly premiums in California are only $27.36 each for both of us. I realize that we would have to pay a deductible of $2,200 before the policy would cover anything. But, our Plan F annual premiums are close to that, so the HD plan F makes a lot of sense. I am 67 and my annual premium with Transamerica is $1,788 while DH's is $1,440 with IAC. It simply doesn't make sense to pay an annual premium that closely approaches the maximum payout of $2,200.

My question is this: do we have to pay a copay when we visit the doctor or do we just wait for the bill to be mailed from the doctor to pay for the 20% deductible? I would appreciate it someone could answer that question.

[TFW46]

I had Merdigap Plan G for many years and, while I was at the doctor appointment, the doctor's office always checked whether I had met my Plan G deductible. If I hadnt, I was expected to pay the co-pay amount right then.

A few times, I had met the deductible, but it hadnt yet been reflected in my Medicare account -- so I had to pay it again and then wait to be re-imbursed by the doctor's office.

[Ariadne22]

In certain areas of NY for certain carriers, premiums for a full Medigap can be well over $4,000/year. I often wonder if people ever do the math.

Collection of copays/coinsurance depend on the provider. My eye doctor never collects the copay upfront. He sends the bill to Medicare and insurer for processing. Eventually, I get a bill from him. I always take a credit card when I see a doctor just in case. When you see the provider, don't get into the weeds on your insurance. Follow their lead, provide the polilcy information, and let their billing people handle it.

[JRR]

I have the high deductible F medigap plan. Since we have been here in Tennessee, both my internist and cardiologist just send me the bill after they run it through Medicare and the supplement. Same thing for my wife with her plan N medigap. No one has asked either one of us for a co-pay up front. However in Florida, her dermatologist used to collect $20 when she came in.

[SCGamecock]

Congratulations on choosing HD-F. Expect to pay upfront if you are a new patient, such as seeing a specialist for the first time. The provider is more likely to bill you if you are an established patient but still be prepared to pay at the time of the visit.

[old_cold]

I've had the Hi deductible F for some years. There has never, with any medical provider, been an attempt to collect anything ahead of time.
It's not an established co-pay so the amount owed is not determined until after Medicare comes up with what they will pay.

[greg92040]

Thank you for all of the replies, which have been very helpful

[loves2read]

Since many of the posters seem familiar with various Medicap plans--
What are your thoughts on choosing between an F, a HD F and a G--
We are transitioning from my group plan which acts as supplement to Medicare for myself and my husband because the group plan is moving ALL Medicare eligible members to a Humana Advantage plan in Jan...
We applied for an F--not HD F--but are having difficulty getting the correct documentation from our retired teachers' health plan to document the termination of credible coverage...
So our application is in stasis right now--
And we COULD leave it closed and make new application for a G--
Have read posts that after 2020 the rates for a plan F are likely to rise quicker as the insured pool shrinks (no new enrollees) and has more expenses...we can't move to a G or N at that time w/o being rated---isn't that correct? So if our health has suffered, we are in worse shape than now...