Soon I will have to choose a Medicare plan. All of them I see look frightening.

[PurgedVoter]

Is there a plan out there I can trust?

[NewHendoLib]

1. We love our plan - BCBS supplemental, Silver scripts

Pharma, and use Good RX for best prices.

Total cost for each of us, including parts A and B, about 270 each month

[MOMFUDSKI]

15. You are not including the $140 or more

taken off the top of your SS check each month.

[NewHendoLib]

21. We are not on SS.

140 for part B, 100 for supplemental, 5 for part d.

So, actually 245 monthly

[mobeau69]

2. You can trust them to jack your rates up every year.

[Abnredleg]

3. Is Original Medicare affordable?

That is, Part B premium, drug plan and supplement plan? If you do go with an Advantage plan, pick at least a four star plan and pay close attention to the maximum out of pocket you will pay. There is no free lunch with insurance - low premiums mean high maximum out of pocket. If you are healthy then that’s not a huge issue. If you already have high medical expenses then Original Medicare may be cheaper, even if the premiums are higher.

[totodeinhere]

4. You might consider looking for a non-profit agency

such as a senior center for counseling and advice. There are so many options out there to choose from that I know it can be frightening and after all you are talking about your precious health. I took the route I am recommending to you and was referred to a social worker at no cost who was able to help me make my decision. I ultimately opted for conventional Medicare coupled with a Medicare supplement plan.

[leftieNanner]

5. We have traditional Medicare

With a supplemental plan with Regency Blue Cross. And a drug plan with United.

If you choose an Advantage plan, it's cheaper now, but may not cover as much as you age. Plus it's difficult to switch to Medicare if you're not happy.

[walkingman]

6. I would look over the AARP guide to familiarize myself so you understand your options.

A lot of factors are involved - affordability, network (HMO) or anyone (PPO) and Medigap. Also you general health or family health is a consideration.

One of the most important factors also is "guaranteed underwriting" - in other words at the time of initial signup you are guaranteed acceptance - that might not be the case afterwords (especially if you have underlying conditions).

https://www.aarp.org/health/medicare-qa-tool/types-of-medicare-plans/

[Ocelot II]

7. Original Medicare is the way to go. Some of the private Medicare Advantage programs might be cheaper at the outset,

but there are also a lot of limitations and exclusions and problems if your provider is out of network that aren't a problem with original Medicare.

[marybourg]

8. Yes. Traditional Medicare and a Medigap plan.

[Wonder Why]

23. After 12 years on Medicare/Medigap, I second that!

[lynintenn]

9. We have State Farm supplemental and Silver Script

We have Never had to pay a penny out of pocket for the last 10 years for doctor and hospital stays. I get a discount on my drugs using singlecare. They are about a third of the drug plan coat and I take some expensive drugs.

[calguy]

10. I've been happy with Medicare part B with a Vlue Cross Supplimental plan

I have to pay a $255 deductible out of pocket every year, but after that, I never see another bill, and I was hospitalized twice last year.

[OAITW r.2.0]

11. I have Medicare A and B plus a UNS Supplement plan.

While there seems to be a lot of negatives about Supplemental insurance plans. I've had wellness appts annually, plus MRIs and outpatient surgery with follow-up anti-virals. I haven't had to pay anything out-of-pocket for any treatments in the past 3 years,

[FloridaBlues]

12. Stick with regular Medicare part A. See what plans United healthcare

Has to offer there’s several. Try and stay away from advantage plans.

[no_hypocrisy]

13. Here you go:

1. Traditional Medicare (NOT Medicare Advantage)
2. AARP Medigap policy
3. Silver Script for prescriptions

[NeoTrajan]

14. I don't know where you are at

I have Medicare Advantage with Kaiser Permanente

I've been hearing bad things about Medicare Advantage, but I have had zero problems, and some shockingly LOW pharma costs

My Lisinopril is free

My albuterol is $10 per monthly unit

I haven't been hospitalized since I came aboard, but I dont pay any extra premium... Only the SSI contribution ($170 per mo?)

I was really shocked when the first bills came in ... All zeros

[padfun]

16. I too, have Medicare Advantage with Kaiser Permanente

And since I also have a CalPers retirement, both my wife and I get the $170 refunded back to us.
I pay an occasional $10 copay but everything else seems to be covered. I mean, I haven't been charged with anything yet.

[anciano]

17. One critical thing to keep in mind

as you weigh your options is that if you start off with a Medicare Advantage plan and then decide later that you want to switch to Original Medicare you will be able to, but the supplemental insurance folks will no longer have to accept you. At that point you can be possibly be denied supplemental coverage depending on your medical history. Just a word of caution. Good luck and best wishes.

[PurgedVoter]

18. Thank you all so very much!

You have given me a lot of info to examine and investigate. Again, I am thankful for the wonderful people on DU.

[doc03]

19. I found the supplemental plans too complicated to understand with their alphabet plans.

Our union was pushing a Medicare advantage plan that seemed to be simple and easy to understand.
That was 14 years ago, if I knew then what I know now I would never have signed up for Medicare Advantage.
I think the Union was paid to push Medicare Advantage. You have to stay in network or you pay 20%, the same
as having just plain Medicare with no insurance and they deny payment whenever they feel like it.

[snowybirdie]

20. Traditional Medicare

Is the only way to go. More and more Advantage plans are being reported for misleading participants. Plan to spend more, but a serious illness can wipe a person out. Its worth it.

[mike_c]

22. I would not give up Medicare for anything

We have an Anthem supplemental policy that's free to me, along with vision and dental coverage. The dental insurance is the only one I have any complaints about, but that's not unusual-- most dental insurance sucks. Still, it pays a portion and it's free.

But Medicare: my wife was hospitalized for two months, had several surgeries, and has half a dozen specialists on speed dial, I've been to the ER twice, and excepting the Delta Dental shortfall, and some very minor prescription co-pays, care has not cost us one dime since Medicare kicked in.

I'm very proud of some of our signature American social programs, but Medicare is near the top of the list.