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G - 100% after payment of $226 deductible, includes excess fee coverage
N - 100% after payment of $226 deductible, up to $20 copay dr. visit, $50 ER; no excess coverage
HD - Medicare pays 80%, you pay 20% up to $2,700 deductible; thereafter plan pays 100%, includes excess coverage
Plan N is one step down from Plan G, requiring small copays which make a substantial difference in lowering the premium as one ages. For example, for me. Plan N premium is $240 v. $330 for Plan G. Plan N also does not cover excess fees (15% of 95% of the Medicare reimbursement) which are imposed by a few nonparticipating Medicare providers. This is usually not an issue for most.
I went with Plan N. Typically people who enroll in G are high users of medical services. This will affect the premiums of all those in the G plan. Co-pays typically discourage high users so the premiums of N will be lower. The premium savings will go toward my Plan D premium.
Because I have arthritis in so many areas of my body, I know that my future is going to be filled with joint replacements. So I think the high deductible plan would still be better than paying all the co-pays I would have with an advantage plan. My mom owing $5000 after one rehab stay scares me.
Yes, the $5k exposure on an Advantage plan seriously worried me for the two years I had it immediately after retirement when I wasn't sure about my financial future. I hardly ever doctor, but one bad accident or medical event could change everything. Plus lack of provider flexibility and potential oversight.
Unless my budget becomes very, very tight to the point I couldn't even afford the small HD premium, I much prefer the HD.
My senior friend had an Advantage Plan here in Las Vegas. Briefly, I wanted to state what happened to him as I think it’s important for others considering Advantage Plans.
I’m advising those dear to me to avoid the Medicare Advantage Plans. Ask yourself what’s more important - your money or your life? Insurers make more profit on advantage plans. Do you notice all the advertisements to convince you to join. Usually, when everyone is trying to convince you to proceed in one direction, it’s time to question it.
But if you can afford it, my advice is go with the straight medicare Part A,B D, etc. Spend the money for choice. You might get really sick some day and if you do - access to a quality doctor will be much more important than a few dollars saved, silver slippers classes and a health club membership.
This has been my direct experience and I may not have all the facts. Arm yourself with knowledge and make the right decisions.
Hi Croce, so sorry to read about what happened to your senior friend. I am very glad I read this as my mom is on traditional Medicare and has been questioning me about changing over to an Advantage Plan and I keep telling her it is not the same and it is a supplemental plan that is a substitute Medicare Plan that does not give all that traditional Medicare gives especially when you really need it. Just reading your post has reinforced my belief and made me understand I made the right decision (I'm her conservator) by not changing her coverage. We pay for all of her dental and eye issues that are not covered, but it is well worth it; knowing if she needs something right away we wouldn't have to wait for weeks or more for approval from an HMO. Mom continues to question me on the subject and so today, I decided to check CD to see what others are doing, thinking, or feeling about the subject. Thank you for posting this and all the others who commented on it too. I am keeping the traditional for my mom and for me when I become the age; my plan is never to go non-traditional. The freebies and lower premiums are not worth the peace of mind of knowing I can take my mom anywhere and not have to wait for cheaper options, rejections, or long approval process if she needs something. Thanks OP. Your warning is being heard by me and apparently a lot more others.
Hi Croce, so sorry to read about what happened to your senior friend. I am very glad I read this as my mom is on traditional Medicare and has been questioning me about changing over to an Advantage Plan and I keep telling her it is not the same and it is a supplemental plan that is a substitute Medicare Plan that does not give all that traditional Medicare gives especially when you really need it. Just reading your post has reinforced my belief and made me understand I made the right decision (I'm her conservator) by not changing her coverage. We pay for all of her dental and eye issues that are not covered, but it is well worth it; knowing if she needs something right away we wouldn't have to wait for weeks or more for approval from an HMO. Mom continues to question me on the subject and so today, I decided to check CD to see what others are doing, thinking, or feeling about the subject. Thank you for posting this and all the others who commented on it too. I am keeping the traditional for my mom and for me when I become the age; my plan is never to go non-traditional. The freebies and lower premiums are not worth the peace of mind of knowing I can take my mom anywhere and not have to wait for cheaper options, rejections, or long approval process if she needs something. Thanks OP. Your warning is being heard by me and apparently a lot more others.
The thing that is really making me mad now, is the commercials (on non-stop due to open enrollment) IMO deliberately try to mislead people by calling it "Medicare part C" and implying if they don't have part C in addition to A and B, they are missing out on benefits. Most people are familiar with the term Advantage plan, but not with the term Medicare part C. And they are trying to capitalize on people's lack of knowledge and exploiting it. The commercials make it sound like if you call, you will get Part C in addition to what you already have. And people who don't know any better are instead going to be switched from traditional to an Advantage plan without even realizing it.
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So glad you posted this, but sorry what happened.
I am very glad I read this as my mom is on traditional Medicare and has been questioning me about changing over to an Advantage Plan and I keep telling her it is not the same and it is a supplemental plan that is a substitute Medicare Plan that does not give all that traditional Medicare gives especially when you really need it. Just reading your post has reinforced my belief and made me understand I made the right decision (I'm her conservator) by not changing her coverage. We pay for all of her dental and eye issues that are not covered, but it is well worth it; knowing if she needs something right away we wouldn't have to wait for weeks or more for approval from an HMO. Mom continues to question me on the subject and so today, I decided to check CD to see what others are doing, thinking, or feeling about the subject. Thank you for posting this and all the others who commented on it too. I am keeping the traditional for my mom and for me when I become the age; my plan is never to go non-traditional. The freebies and lower premiums are not worth the peace of mind of knowing I can take my mom anywhere and not have to wait for cheaper options, rejections, or long approval process if she needs something. Thanks OP. Your warning is being heard by me and apparently a lot more others. 
