The Social Security thread I started was so interesting getting all of those opinions on it, that I thought we could kick around Medicare now. I have the standard A and B and D with a supplement. I am bombarded daily with calls and ads on tv to switch to Advantage, but with all the fine print that it has and checking with my doctors to see if they even accept it because it is private and not government, I have been hesitant, because I like my doctors and don't want to use some that are assigned to me, and have to go to their facilities. I had a HMO before Medicare and didn't like it.

the medicare advantage plans are all the same. I have the Humana Advantage Plan which is a PPO. I chose this because it mirrors the PPO plan I had prior to switching to Humana. Overall it has worked well for me, no issues. Here in Florida I have no extra/out of pocket premiums as Humana accepts what ever Medicare would cost. Most of the doctors in my local area accept Humana. One year ago I had a serious medical issue that required 8 days in the hospital, surgery and recovery. My out of pocket cost was $1000 on a total hospital/ doctor/surgeon bill of $110,000. Not to bad I thought. What the hospital and Humana worked out as the final cost is unknown to me. Do your homework and good hunting. BTW, hope all goes well for you this farming season, its a tough thankless job but much appreciated.

I have AARP United Health Care supplemental health and Rx plans. The agent at work set me up with them and said they were Cadillac plans and that seems true now that I used them a lot!

Not cheap and I always would say I don’t know why I have the RX plan because I never took any drugs

Well that all changed real quick in Nov and my out of pocket costs have been very low and drug costs are way high without an Rx plan

My 2 plans are nearly $400 a month plus the Medicare costs taken directly out of your SS

My job was covering my health supplements after I pay them myself

I can see any doctor, no referrals, no co pays and drugs are cheap unless there is no generic

I haven’t had any problem with doctors accepting any of it.

You could get hit with thousands for some drugs without the Rx plan.

I don’t know about other less expensive plans because I’ve had what I have since day one on Medicare

United Health offers pretty much every type plan I believe.

Lots of choices and varying costs.

I tried United Healthcare last year with the advantage plan. Still recovering from that. Have Aetna with the advantage plan. Here in NC its all different depending on which county you live in. I pay nothing, nothing! Social Security pays, I think, $170 and Aetna gives me back $30. I Get $75 worth of stuff from CVS every 3 months. $2000 dental, free hearing aids, free eye exam and free glasses every 2 years. Emergency room $90, they get me on ambulance $260. Don't know if its good or not as I have never used it as I have the VA

I have been using a Medicare Advantage plan for 10 years now...unlimited doctor visits...30 bucks for specialists...all my drugs are generic so they are free to me...50 bucks a month for over the counter stuff...free gym memberships...they also pay 70% of my plan B cost ($170 per mo) so medicare deduct 60 bucks from my SS every month...

Yes, I need to stay in my network but it includes almost every doctor in the area...I had some surgery about 2 years ago...final bill was $146,000....my share came to $600...

Every year I do research to make sure I am getting the best deal for me...every year the worst plan by far is the united healthcare through AARP...

Not an area to cheap out on. I have the F plan for wife and me. Very expensive premium but lowers the risk of being wiped out if you need major hospital care. And most importantly, I pick the Dr I want.

Is it just me, or does the fact that the Medicare and Social Security threads are popular here now point to the current state of our hobby (bracket racing)? Take care. Tom Worthington

yea, we're all old!
Medicare Advantage is all dependent on your zip code. I have a good zip code and I have Blue Cross Blue Shield of TN. Works great for me so far, but I'm pretty healthy and don't have any drug costs. I did have Blue Cross Blue Shield of TN when I was on the Marketplace and it was comparable to what I have now except that now I have Dental and Vison.

Info. how and why. nothing is free..

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FRP_r6hfchc&t=10s

Thanks TD, thats exactly the info I needed. I havent needed dental or vision, yet, so I was looking into part c, but after seeing that video, Im going to stay with original Medicare for now. Being self employed, I still am able to write off out of pocket medical expenses, so Ill keep doing that for now, plus it looks like a even trade off between my supplemental premiums and what I would have to pay O.O.P for the advantage plan.And I just dont like the idea of being told what Dr I have to use.

Self employed also. The bride is still working with a great medical plan also. Secondary. There are a lot of things commercials put out about getting your Part B back. What is it now? 174.00

But you pay out on the other end. You have to read
"ALL" the fine print and fully understand exactly what you are getting into. I look at these commercials as a cash grab and nothing else.. He** they will hire anybody lol.

And another issue we have come across. 1.5 years ago the wife went in for a procedure and it was within the network. Come to find out, the
Anesthesiologist there was "NOT" part of the network. They said nothing. It appeared it was a temp hire. We fought it tooth and nail. Called there. I was furious. I had to pay the bill.

Sad thing about it, the main insurance co would not help us at all. I should of filed a complaint with the Dept of Insurance. And this was a major Ins company too.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: TD3550,

If you get your info from forums and Youtube videos good luck!

Got AARP Uninted Health Care plan its the best bang for your buck in my opinion but who am I lol. It has covered most of mine and wifes costs so far and she has had a triple bypass so.... very happy with it

With original medicare A and B plus part D and F,I pay nothing,zip,nada O.O.P just my monthly premium to part F. They dont take online or direct withdrawl, so I have to phone in or write a check or I wouldnt see any of the money going out.

I agree with you vetman.My wife and I have had it 3 years,no monthly cost,no PCP cost,minimal out of pocket.Best insurance we've had in 25 years,lol.

I agree, vet man. I have it and have had 3 surgeries in the past 10 years 2 cataracts and one pinched anora nerve in the elbow. Zero cost except for a $50 co pay for a CT scan prior to the elbow surgery.

quote:

posted March 29, 2022 09:44 PM Hide Post
Not an area to cheap out on. I have the F plan for wife and me. Very expensive premium but lowers the risk of being wiped out if you need major hospital care. And most importantly, I pick the Dr I want.

plan f for me,it cost nothing to go to hospital doctor or whatever.plan g is also a good one.i had advantage and wont go back